Is it Battery Acid or Water?

[optik45]

I got around to getting my 1990 Four Winns Freedom in order for spring. I left the Battery in the compartment over the winter, terminals disconnected. yesterday I bought a new battery just cause it seemed to be about that time. I pulled the old battery out of the tray and it was about 1" full of a clear liquid. Apparently the battery tray doesnt have drain holes. Im not sure if its just water from the winter or if its battery acid, haha I wasnt about to stick my finger in there to find out. Is there any good way to tell if its just water or if its acidic, and what would be a good way to clean it up if it was acidic?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Is it Battery Acid or Water?

I'm sure the safety police will be after me but contrary to popular belief, you can stick your finger in it and nothing will happen. Battery acid is pretty weak. You can tell if it's battery acid by the smell usually. That said, you replaced the battery so what's the difference? Take an old beach/bath towel, soak it up, stuff it in a bucket nearby (to keep it off of other surfaces on your boat) and hang it up to dry somewhere and then throw it away. If you're worried about the acid wear some chemical gloves...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Is it Battery Acid or Water?

It's most likely water, but drop a teaspoonfull of baking soda in the liquid. If it instantly foams up, you've got acid.

If you have some genuine red shop rags, you can just dip a corner in the liquid. If it's acid, the rag will turn purple. Not all red shop rags have this indicator, but they should!

 

[optik45]

Re: Is it Battery Acid or Water?

ok, ill test it with some baking soda. I just want to make sure its not acid so it doesnt drain into my bilge.

 

[jljue]

Re: Is it Battery Acid or Water?

It won't hurt to put baking soda in the liquid since it will neutralize it if it is acid.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is it Battery Acid or Water?

I'm sure the safety police will be after me but contrary to popular belief, you can stick your finger in it and nothing will happen. Battery acid is pretty weak. You can tell if it's battery acid by the smell usually. That said, you replaced the battery so what's the difference? Take an old beach/bath towel, soak it up, stuff it in a bucket nearby (to keep it off of other surfaces on your boat) and hang it up to dry somewhere and then throw it away. If you're worried about the acid wear some chemical gloves...

If you soak up battery acid in a towel and wait to throw it out you won't have a towel left to throw out.My hands are pretty tough but if I don't rince
carefully my skin gets hard and cracks and don't get it in a cut, OUCH!