Useful information

Battery Watering Kits

by Tekle Bishaw Jun 30, 2017

If you are looking to effectively cut battery maintenance costs, you should learn more about battery watering kits. Battery watering kits provide a safe, reliable, and time-saving process for filling batteries.

BATTERY ACID

Battery acid, or sulfuric acid, is the main component of a lead-acid battery. Sulfuric acid is an electrolyte or liquid found in lead-acid battery cells. In addition to the sulfuric acid solution, batteries also contain water.

WHY DO WE NEED TO WATER A BATTERY?

A standard industrial, lead-acid battery consists of water to fulfill the sulfuric acid solution. After a battery is charged, it is important to check the water level to ensure that it is at a functional level for the lead-acid battery to continue its normal daily operations. A lead-acid battery’s functionalities are limited or defective when water levels dip too low or are absent altogether. Lead is a metal, any metal that is not maintained in the proper condition will rust, in this case damage the battery. That is why it is important that the water level in the battery is continually maintained.

The power from a lead-acid battery is created by the chemical reaction between the water and acid contained inside the battery. When a lead-acid battery is charged, the water inside the battery is consumed during the chemical reaction through which energy is created. Water also evaporates over time. When the water inside the battery is gone, the battery is dead. A battery watering kit prevents this type of deterioration and failure.

BATTERY WATERING KITS

Battery watering kits come with a single-point watering system that is either fully assembled or that must be assembled after purchase. The kit comes with neatly labeled diagram with instructions for an easy install. The kit consists of a series of tubes with multiple valves connected to them; the number of valves is equal to the number of cells in the battery. The battery watering kit is hassle-free and no tools are needed for assembly. Remove the battery cap, connect the kit, and then connect the water hose. Each cell is then filled up to the proper level. An indicator on the watering valves alerts you when water reaches the correct level. This indicator is designed for a wide visibility and can easily be seen from a distance. When each battery cell is appropriately filled, the water will automatically shut down. Repeat this process whenever the water level in the battery is low.

BATTERY WATERING KIT ACCESSORIES

Following the charging period of a battery, it is important to check the water level in an industrial lead-acid battery. Traditionally, this is done by taking the cap off each cell and making sure the water level is right within the levels of the battery plates (located inside the battery, are visible when you look inside the battery through the vent cap holes). While this is a tedious and time-consuming process, it is necessary to maintain a battery’s working condition. This is where a battery water monitor will save you all the time, money, and labor.

Battery Water Monitors - - - A Battery water monitor is designed to be your eyes and ears inside the battery. The monitor is equipped with a bright LED visual indicator that alerts operators when it is time to water the battery. The battery water monitor will improve a battery life and eliminate over- and under-watering of batteries. Just like the battery watering kit, the battery water monitor is easy to install can be placed on any battery cell for an accurate read.

Watering Gun - - - The watering gun is helpful for manually filling each cell by hand. It is a safe and efficient method of watering batteries without an automatic watering system. A manual watering gun can be connected to a standard hose or deionizer. Place the tip of the gun into each individual battery cell and squeeze the trigger to continue the process.

Gravity Tank - - - A gravity tank is a simple device for filling single-point watering systems. The gravity tank is ideal to assist in applications in which the water will be plumbed into the tank. There is no need to fill the tank manually and the gravity tank can water multiple batteries at one time. Gravity tanks should be positioned a minimum of three feet above the batteries and should be properly secured to ensure proper and efficient water delivery to the battery cells.

Direct Fill Link - - - Direct fill links can be used with a hose (connected to a janitor’s sinks, or spigot somewhere in the warehouse) or a portable water tank. The direct fill link operates like a watering gun equipped with a flow indicator wheel. Also, it is equipped with a pressure-sensitive handle and a connector like a garden hose connection. The direct fill tank does not include a handle lock, which makes it safer to operate because it will immediately shut off if left in a battery, eliminating the possibility of overfilling. The flow indicator encased in the PVC makes it both durable and lightweight. The DF72 model is fast enough to fill a large battery but gentle enough to fill small delicate battery without the risk of overflow.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF INSTALLING A WATERING KIT

After your battery is charged, remove all the vent caps on the battery cells.
Using the diagram, snap the battery watering kit into place making sure the valves are snapped in place on each cell.
Connect a hose to the watering kit.
Turn the water on.
Wait until all the indicators on the valves show that each cell has been watered to the proper level. The water will automatically shut down once each cell has been watered to the appropriate level. Once this process is complete, you can remove the watering kit and repeat this process with another battery.

Installing A Fully Assembled Watering Kit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDJ-tLaKd4

(If you have a battery water monitor, follow this same process once the monitor indicates that the battery needs watering and you have completed charging the battery.)

For more information on Battery Watering Systems and related items, please visit https://materialshandlingstore.com/

If you need help or advice on the products in our online store or have a question, we would be delighted to serve you. We will respond as fast as possible—within one business day during business hours in the Pacific time zone in the western U.S.

Please contact our warehouse experts at: 844-445-1119

What is a battery spill kit?

by Danille Bettridge Nov 11, 2014

by Danille Bettridge, Web Store Specialist

While looking at Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation's (RHCC) materials handling web store, you might come across an item called a spill kit, but you might not know what they are or why they're important.

What is a battery spill kit? It is a package of materials and supplies that are used to clean up and neutralize battery acid spills.

Battery spills can happen when replacing batteries with cracked cases, which allow the acid to leak. RHCC's battery spill kits meet the following OSHA and DOT requirements for packaging and transporting hazardous wastes:

1926.441(a)(5)- “Face shields, aprons, rubber gloves and quick drenching facilities shall be provided for workers handling acids or batteries”
1910.178(g)(2)- “Facilities shall be provided for neutralizing spilled electrolyte”
OSHA Regulation 1910.132- “All employers must provide equipment for cleaning up hazardous materials such as battery acid”

What are the contents of a spill kit?

The kits include the following pieces of wearable gear to ensure that your workers are dressed protectively when cleaning up battery acid:

Apron to cover body and clothing
Acid resistant gloves to protect hands
Safety goggles to shield eyes
Disposable boot covers to protect shoes and feet
Dust mask to cover mouth and nose
Face shield for protection of the face

All of RHCC's spill kits found in our Materials Handling Store are designed to help you quickly respond to and clean up battery acid spills. Each item in our kits is strategically packed so you can quickly dress yourself in the safety gear, contain the spill, neutralize and absorb the acid, and DOT-approved containers for transporting and disposing of the acid and clean up supplies. The kit also includes all the necessary tools for a proper battery acid clean-up:

Bucket or barrel with locking lid
Brush and pan
Disposable plastic bags
Danger sign
Six-foot barrier rope
Absorb bags and containers
pH test strips
Large kits include neutralizing/absorb pillows

How to use a spill kit

All employees that work in environments with batteries need to be trained on where to find and how to use a spill kit in the event of a battery acid spill.
Employees should learn the procedures to follow during and after the clean-up of an acid spill, to ensure proper clean-up and disposal.
It is important to remember the proper packing of a spill kit, in the case the kit is unpacked and then not re-packed in the proper order. It is to be packed in the order that you will need the materials to allow the acid spill to be cleaned up in the quickest and most thorough way possible. Refer to the information found in your kit, but the general packing order is as follows:

1. Personal protective equipment is on top to remind employees that the first step is to put on the safety gear.

2. Danger sign and isolation ropes are next so that employees can cordon off the spill and warn others of the hazard.

3. Absorbent materials used to clean up the spill are packed next.

4. Lastly, plastic bags and other tools that will be used to clean up the debris and spill (such as the broom and pan) should be at the bottom of the kit.

Assuring that everyone is properly trained and that the kit is set-up in the most efficient way possible creates a more prepared environment in case of a battery acid spill.