Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Dave M (RIP) on September 23, 2014, 01:34:49 pm

Title: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on September 23, 2014, 01:34:49 pm
It is always a toss up between learning & laughing reading some postings on some RV Forums.  Today came across this tid bit about the wonderful results from adding mineral oil to the flooded type batteries.
Am hoping some one on this forum might has some poitive knowledge on this subject ?
Title: Re: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: Keith and Joyce on September 23, 2014, 02:10:31 pm
It may be in the misguided attempt at keeping the electrolyte from "evaporating".  Does not work as the water loss is due from electrolysis when the water breaks down into oxygen and hydrogen.  (That's why no naked lights or sparks near batteries).  There is an additive that is supposed to prevent out-gassing.  I believe it's first use was for submarines.  Also popular where there are a lot of batteries on charge in a confined area such as forklifts.  Do not have any experience with it.

Keith
Title: Re: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: sedelange on September 23, 2014, 02:58:06 pm
I'm curious as to how much mineral oil are we talking about adding?  Adding enough to just cover the electrolyte wouldn't likely reduce gassing. Adding significantly more would only displace available electrolyte and consequently reduce battery capacity.
Title: Re: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: Jim McNeece on September 23, 2014, 04:00:32 pm
Read the third post down in this forum:

battery oil (http://forums.aaca.org/f169/battery-oil-293586.html)

Lots of good info on battery oil and the type of batteries it was designed for.

Title: Re: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on September 23, 2014, 05:02:16 pm
Thank you Jim, did love that AACA article.
Title: Re: Mineral Oil in the Batteries ?
Post by: pocketchange on September 23, 2014, 11:44:36 pm
.125" skin of plain mineral oil works well..
In 2002, I decided a new F150 needed to replace my older PU.  First thing I did was put mineral oil in the battery (it lasted until 2012.)  pc