Battery hydrometer suggestions

YehoshuaAgapao
YehoshuaAgapao Solar Expert Posts: 280 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Seem to get a pattern most hydrometers at auto parts store are garbage, so I looked on Amazon.

These 3 came up most promising. Which you like best or are there better ones that can be had. Seems anything over $15 is a rip-off and anything under $10 is cheap.

E-Z Red S101 - Looks small, too small for L16s? Rave reviews and a lot of them - 4.5 stars (31). $9 shipped.
http://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Red-S101-Battery-Hydrometer/dp/B000JFHMRU/ref=sr_1_2?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1360610728&sr=1-2&keywords=hydrometer+battery+temperature

OTC 4619 Professional Battery Hydrometer, 4.0 stars (6), $11 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4619-Professional-Battery-Hydrometer/dp/B0050SFVHO/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1360611191&sr=1-3&keywords=Battery+Hydrometer+temperature

Deka, glass, looks most traditional, 4.5 stars (6), $13 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/East-Penn-Temperature-Correcting-Hydrometer/dp/B0002KKTYU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1360611191&sr=1-2&keywords=Battery+Hydrometer+temperature
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Comments

  • unicornio
    unicornio Solar Expert Posts: 217 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: Battery hydrometer suggestions
    YehoshuaAgapao wrote: »
    Seem to get a pattern most hydrometers at auto parts store are garbage, so I looked on Amazon.

    you will be able to find very good information about quality hydrometers in this thread:
    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?18498-Calibrate-your-Hydrometer
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  • YehoshuaAgapao
    YehoshuaAgapao Solar Expert Posts: 280 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Battery hydrometer suggestions

    Read the other thread. The hydrovolt tester looks really cool, but its only in europe, expensive with the shipping, and will take forever to get. I think I'm leaning to the deka but might get the ez-red also. AutoZone doesn't have hydrometers and neither does home depot (to get something to use for now). NAPA has cheesy plastic hydrometers that are just red/green or 0/25/50/75/100 percent.
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Battery hydrometer suggestions

    if you don't wish to get one via mail from naws then consider asking your local mechanics where you can buy a good one locally. if anybody would know it would be them. worst case would be you need to send for one.
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  • YehoshuaAgapao
    YehoshuaAgapao Solar Expert Posts: 280 ✭✭
    #5
    Re: Battery hydrometer suggestions

    I just ordered it off of amazon. I just wanted to get local to use right away, but the either don't have it or are plastic dumbed-down junk (for a yuppy investigating a problematic car battery). Won't have it until next Tuesday though.
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Battery hydrometer suggestions

    Hi Y A,

    Just scanned this and the S-530 Threads, Did not see a reference that you check with a NAPA Auto store, hopefully locally. Have heard that they do carry an inexpensige glass type. It is often very conveinient to have several Hydrometers. I can use up to three if there is a concern about something looking amiss, AND it is always possible that one might get broken. So if your luck is good you still find one locally, and get the one from Amazon within a week (as I read it, as this IS a Tuesday).

    Always rinse a Hydro before initial use, and always after each measuring session -- use real Distilled Water, and rinse at least twice. Rinse before use if the Hyrdo has been sitting around for a while, as it might be dusty.

    Good Luck, Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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