HydroCaps

ComputerGrampa

Does anyone know how to test Hydrocaps?

These are the red caps that go on the batteries,
that conserve the water & H2 in the battery.

Is there some way to tell if my caps are no longer any good?

Any comments are appreciated.

BB.

Re: HydroCaps

Working Hydro caps are supposed to get warm/hot when equalizing the battery (recombining H2 and O2 releases heat).

So, as you recharge the battery and approach 100% charge and get into equalization (bubbling the electrolyte)--the caps should begin to get noticeably warm/hot (depending on how "hard" the cell is bubbling).

If one or more do not, then I believe the catalyst has failed (eroded?).

If you need new caps, you may look at:

Water Miser Battery Caps

They are just "mist filters" rather than recombining H2O. However, because they do not heat up when recombining the gasses, you can leave these caps on when equalizing.... Also, I believe they are less expensive and do not wear out.

-Bill

mike95490

Re: HydroCaps

ComputerGrampa wrote: »

Does anyone know how to test Hydrocaps?

These are the red caps that go on the batteries,
that conserve the water & H2 in the battery.

Is there some way to tell if my caps are no longer any good?

Any comments are appreciated.

There are 2 types,

1) has a catalyst re re-combine O & H, as the cells gass, the cap gets warm, and drips water back down. Must be removed prior to the monthly EQ cycle. eventually acid mist gets up into the catalyst and poisons it.


2) has filler material to intercept water drops, and drip them back to the battery, they never wear out.

ComputerGrampa

Re: HydroCaps

Here's some pics of the caps I'm asking about.

Dave Angelini

Re: HydroCaps

The easiest way to test a cap is by direct comparison. A normal cap that comes with good battery will need water topped off every 2 months. The aftermarket and the ones that are options will extend that period to 3 to 5 months.

Unless you are in a situation where you have to cycle the batteries unattended I would just spend 10 minutes a month on maintenance. Most people who use too much water are overcharging their batteries. This does not really harm them but it is making more maintenance time. Set your SG at the equinoxes by adjusting absorb time and or voltage. A sudden change in water consumption is not a good sign!

Ralph Day

Re: HydroCaps

Grandpa,

If your caps are cool, they're done. Mine lasted about 4 years. There are only so many amp hours of charging that they'll work for. Once a few start to feel cool during charging the rest will follow over the next 6 months (in my experience). Mine are now big battery caps, easy to get on and off, but with no catalysing ability. Total water checking and addition...30 minutes per month. My time isn't worth 24x $17 each to replace the set.

Ralph

ComputerGrampa

Re: HydroCaps

Thank you folks, for the nice input.

I think mine are "cooked" !!