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"Maintenance Free" sealed lead acid batteries

6K views 45 replies 10 participants last post by  john61ct 
#1 ·
I have always understood that so called "maintenance free" batteries were not truly maintenance free. Indeed, on my last boat I had to add water to my maintenance free batteries once in a while.

On our current boat we aren't getting anywhere near the rated capacity so I thought it was time to pull them and check the electrolyte levels. That is a bit of a job because all of the cabling has to be removed to get at them. The engine battery has the same housing as the house batteries so I thought I would pull that one first. The problem is, I can't figure out how to get the top off to access the cells. I have tried gently prying at different points but it seems awfully tight. I am wondering if these batteries are even meant to be opened or are they TRUELY maintenance free. I've never encountered a battery that can't be opened, but it feels like the plastic will break if I use any more force on these.

I thought I would put this out there before I proceed with applying more brute force. Should I be able to open these? If so, are there any tricks?

The little dot in the window is green, but I am only getting about 120ah out of a 550ah house bank before I reach the 50% level...


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