10,8 volt on aux batterie

Most "sealed" batteries are not really sealed, and you can indeed ad DISTILLED water if you carefully remove the covers. Having said that, there should be no need to ever add water to a "sealed battery" during it's normal life. If you live in a very hot climate you might have an exception. Batteries that are low on water either have a problem with the battery or they are getting overcharged by the alternator. I suggest again,,get the battery and perhaps the charging system tested.

Icarus

 

The Delco is in my truck also.

 

I think that the Delco batteries are "maintence free" lead acid batteries that can indeed have water added. The optima on the other hand are a gel-cell battery and are truly sealed, and cannot have water added. (If I'm right about the optima's that is why you can run them on their sides, or upside down without damage, something you can't do with a "flooded cell" battery

Icarus

 

Sorry I should have added if you don't know how to correctly use a battery charger don't connect one to your battery.
No one said you should stand over an open battery while you connect the battery charger cables to the terminals while they are live. Always connect the cables while the charger is turned off and with a heavy cloth over the battery. Once connected switch on the charger then while the charger is charging the battery it is safe to carefully remove the cloth and look inside but do not disturb the connection to the battery in doing this as the gasses given off from the battery are explosive if exposed to an ignition source.

For that matter you should always cover a battery with a cloth when charging as it is always posible for a lead acid battery to explode while charging if exposed to an ignition source. An other sign of a shorted cell is low electrolite in all the other cells due to boiling off.

Just buy a new battery.

 

Sorry to be posting this in all three currently-running battery threads, but what the heck!

I just finished up installing an Optima in the Prius (And Rav4EV, as well!). Went well.
Prius Optima Aux

 

DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS PERSON'S ADVICE! YOU WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT.

NEVER COVER A CHARGING BATTERY.

BATTERIES GIVE OFF HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS AND MORE WHEN CHARGING. YOU WILL TRAP THESE GASSES. NEVER COVER A CHARGING BATTERY.


JUST DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS PERSON'S ADVICE! i CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I AM READING.

 

Note: These instructions were written for general automotive type battery chargers. They meet the standards of UL and CSA. The first part covers battery, general electrical, and charger safety issues. Below that is a section on hooking up and using a charger. Last a trouble shooting section.

Download owners manual/charger instructions in PDF format, Instructions English.pdf, Instructions French.pdf.
Speci
Instructions for your Safety.

BATTERY WARNINGS

DANGER! RISK OF BATTERY EXPLOSION FROM HYDROGEN GAS. MAY RESULT IN BLINDNESS, SERIOUS INJURY, PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT AND SCARRING.


Batteries generate explosive hydrogen gas, even during normal operation. People have been injured by battery parts flying in an explosion. They can explode under normal operating conditions, such as starting your car. They can explode under abnormal conditions, such as jump starting, or if short circuited by a tool. They can explode in a parked car or sitting on a table.

To help reduce the risk of these dangers and injury, it is of the utmost importance that each time before using your charger, you read and understand this manual, and any warnings and instructions by the battery manufacturer. Follow these instructions exactly.
TO HELP REDUCE THIS RISK:

1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment
   • ALWAYS wear complete eye protection (THAT PROTECTS EYES FROM ALL ANGLES).
2. Avoid Flames and Sparks Near Battery and Fuel
   • ALWAYS keep flames, matches, lighters, cigarettes or other ignition sources away from battery.
   • DO NOT put flammable material on or under charger. DO NOT use near gasoline vapors.
   • Make sure charger clips make good contact by twisting or rocking them back and forth several times. The second clip connection MUST ALWAYS be made away from the battery. ALWAYS plug charger into an electrical outlet AFTER all connections have been made. See OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.
   • If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge, ALWAYS turn off all accessories in the vehicle. Then ALWAYS remove grounded terminal (connected to car frame) from battery first.
   • A tool touching both battery posts or battery post and car metal parts is a short circuit and will spark. When using metal tools on or near battery be extra cautious to reduce risk of short circuit, possibly causing a battery explosion. DO NOT drop a tool on battery.
3. Reduce Explosive Gas (hydrogen)
   • Before connecting charger, ALWAYS add water to each cell until battery acid covers plates to help purge extra gas from cells. DO NOT overfill. Battery acid expands during charge. After charging fill to level specified by battery manufacturer. For a battery without removable caps (maintenance free battery), carefully follow manufacturer's instructions on charging.
   • Some sealed maintenance free batteries have a battery condition indicator. A light or bright colored dot indicates low water. Such a battery needs to be replaced, not charged or jump started.
   • Charge battery with caps in place. Most U.S. batteries are made with flame arresting caps. DO NOT pry caps off sealed batteries. Place wet cloth on batteries with non-flame arresting caps.
   • Be sure area around battery is well ventilated before and during charging process. NEVER charge in a closed-in or restricted area.
4. Stay Away From Battery When Possible
   • NEVER put face near battery.
   • ALWAYS locate charger as far from battery as DC cables permit.
   • ALWAYS keep other people away from the battery. They are not wearing safety glasses like you are.
5. Avoid Contact With Battery Acid
   • Battery posts may have acid corrosion. DO NOT get corrosion in your eyes. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
   • ALWAYS use a battery carrier. Carrying a battery by hand may put pressure on its ends, causing acid to be forced out vent caps.
   • ALWAYS have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with cold running water for at least fifteen (15) minutes and get medical help immediately.
   • In very cold weather a discharged battery may freeze. NEVER charge a frozen battery. Gases may form, cracking the case, and spray out battery acid.
6. Avoid Overcharging Batteries
   • The non-automatic (manual) battery charger models can overcharge a battery if left connected for an extended period of time, resulting in loss of water and creation of hydrogen gas.
7. Follow Other Manufacturers' Recommendations
   • Before using charger, read all instructions for, and caution markings on: (1) charger, (2) battery, and (3) related product using battery. Follow their recommended rate of charge.

From Battery charger instructions - general automotive

 

Again.... don;t listen to this guy... now he's just cut 'n pasting.

Batteries are unbelievably dangerous and can cause you great physical harm..- I know from first hand experience and from co-workers (I happen to be a licensed electrician)

Please do yourself a favour and DO NOT listen to Internet advice on this. Talk to an EXPERT in person.

This is EXACTLY the sort of topic on the internet that could really get someone HURT VERY BADLY.

It shouldnt be allowed to continue.

 

Fish Antlers, I believe you are the one that need to do a bit of reading:

A Towel over the vent caps of a battery will A: prevent a dropped tool from arcing between terminals, B: will keep acid from splashing if the caps are damaged and ergo keep it out of your eyes, and C: allow hydrogen to escape safely. All charging batteries need ventelation. Please don't spout info without attribution, especially where peoples safety is involved! At least Patsparks and myself have some documentation to back up our opinions!

Once more, I refer you to the following sites, do all of us a favor read and understand.


Deep Cycle Battery FAQ

http://www.batteryfaq.org/

 

Did a doctor pronounce it dead or are you just going on the way it doesn't do much any more.

 

It may come back as some roof flashing or fishing sinkers. What a life!

 

Did you leave the parking lights all night as you alluded on another thread that you were planning on doing?

 

It sounds like your dealer does not know and/or does not care. Get a new battery

If I read correctly, your dealer is telling you to drive the car every day?

 

Sure sounds like it. If the battery store tested the battery and told you to replace it, but the dealer told you to drive it every day, I'd sooner believe the battery store