Jason R

I installed a new Interstate battery in April this year--it's the one that was recommended in some posts here.

Last night I noticed that there was about 2-3 ozs. of fluid traveling through the vent tube coming from the battery.

Does this indicate a problem with the battery? I've never noticed that much fluid in the vent tube before.

I have a '96 993, and the battery is kept on a charger.

TIA
Jason

Tom T.

Hi,

My Interstate battery in over 2 years old and never had this problem. I only use a charger on it in the winter. If you ask me I'd suspect the charger you are using. Does it have a built in protection from over charging a battery?

Tom

Edward

Jason,

Batteries normally expel gas when they charge. Though the amount of water/acid you've noticed in the vent tube would give me cause for concern. I'd suspect that your charger is not cycling off and/or is simply overcharging (does your unit have an Amp Meter). Try taking the battery off the charger and drive the car daily for a couple of weeks, checking the vent tube after you reach your destinations. It's a bit of pain, I know, but if you're vent tube looks normal, then this confirms a bad charger. Let us know.

Edward

STLPCA

Jason
I agree w/the others - likely overcharging. My Interstate is 3 yrs old - no problems - no visible fluid. The car is a daily driver & so never on a charger.

Overcharging can kill your battery from fluid loss. You might consider prying off the "maintenance free" panels & checking fluid level in the cells. If you have one, use a hydrometer to measure specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell. Top up any low fluid cell with distilled water.

Try a known good charger w/cut-off to check if your charger is cycling off properly.

And do be careful:

Ray Calvo

Tend to agree w/ the others; my 4 year old Interstate is holding up fine. I just recently unscrewed the cell covers and found the electrolyte level to be low and approaching the top of the cells, so I added some distilled water.

Jason R

Thanks guys. I'll do a little investigative work on my charger. I got it a couple of years ago from the independent shop I use for work on the p-car. They recommended it highly. It was branded by Interstate BTW, but I've since seen the charger elsewhere branded by other companies.

Any recommendations for a new charger? Do those chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter work?

Jason

PK

I've changed my battery to Optima Redtop (it's sealed thus no vent tube) and just use the factory trickle charger (cigarette lighter plug-in) from time to time and have no problem...

PK

Jeff 993TT

That's why I got a sealed battery too ( Optima Orange Top). My luggage compartment already has the evidence of being scorched once before and I want to prevent that the second time around.

Jeff

Tim Ashfield

I would certainly endorse the trickle charger method but prefer those that connect direct to the battery so it can be be used on my Bikes as well, none of those has a cigarette lighter!

Tim.