Slipstream - July 2002

Mini Tech Tip - Batteries
by John Halla
To fill cells in your Porsche's battery, try using a turkey baster.
The model appropriated from my kitchen has a plastic tube about 10
inches long, and a rubber squeeze bulb. The tube's diameter allows
plunging it into the neck of a gallon jug of distilled water.
Just plunge and squeeze. When you release, there is a enough water
to replenish one cell in a 12 volt battery. If you need two squeezes, your
battery was really low.
Batteries need to be filled before the summer season. Electrolyte
(the liquid in batteries) should cover the tops of the plates in each cell.
EXOTIC CAR & BIKE SHOW
. . . If you need two squeezes. . .
I like to keep mine just below the bottom of the filler tube that
the caps screw into. Using the baster and a flash light, one can add
precisely the amount of distilled water that each cell needs, without the
messy overflow that may occur with other types of battery fillers that
have check valves in their stems.
This is especially helpful for some early 911's were access to the
battery is only obtained after the spare has been pulled out of the trunk.
Once you have used a kitchen device for battery work, it becomes
a garage only tool. This is because you probably pick up some sulfuric
acid on the tip of the baster.
$
25
25