New battery overfill

[sanjay]

As per instructions that came with my new battery, I filled it to the max line and charged it.  However, the instructions didn't mention (and I didn't think about) expansion due to heating and now the electrolyte level is about 1 cm above the max line. 

While it will lower as the battery cools, I'm worried about it rising again during bike usage.  Is this a valid concern?

Should I siphon or soak some of the electrolyte up using a hose or rag?  Does the charging process change the electrolyte?

Or should I wait until gassing lowers the level.  But doesn't this just release hydrogen and oxygen?  Won't the SG be too high then?

Thanks for your help! 

-Sanjay

[makenzie71]

nah don't worry about it.

[RedShift]

Give the battery a good shake -- raise it about 1" and let it thump on a hard surface.  You probably have gas trapped between and under the plates.  Burp the battery and it'll likely drop back down to the MAX line or less.

As for an over-fill, it won't last long with the battery installed in the GS.  With recharging, bumps and turns, perhaps a drip a little out the overfill tube, and the fluid will slowly disappear through use.

There is one concern.  Your side-stand causes a lean to the left.  If the negative terminal isn't completely sealed, then an overfill could force some leak-by and your negative terminal will corrode.  (That little nut that fits under the screw, in square terminal post, may begin to disappear.)  Keep an eye for it.  If so, it's baking soda and silicone sealant time...

[scratch]

I'd just tilt the battery, hold it for a while, then tilt it the other way to get all the bubbles out.

[sanjay]

You're right - it was just bubbles.  Burping it worked like a charm.  Thanks.