How Much Distilled Water to Add to Inverter Battery

Published on: May 26, 2022
Written by Liam Jaxon / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Using distilled water to recharge your inverter batteries is one of the simple options in battery maintenance. If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for how much-distilled water to add to inverter battery to prolong the inverter life.

Usually, the quantity of charge your lead-acid battery can hold is determined by the amount of water and the size of the battery plates. You can extend the life of your battery if you know how many liters of distilled water must be added to inverter battery.

When the battery is charged, Hydrogen and oxygen are released and electricity travels through the water. This gassing causes water loss, which is why you need to refill the battery’s water supply regularly. If you regularly manage the water levels of your battery, you can even charge your car battery with your home inverters.

Home inverters generally charge 12-volt batteries at 13 to 14 volts, and car batteries are the same. Here, we’ll cover when and how much distilled water to put in your inverter battery, as well as how to do it step-by-step.

What is Distilled Water?

There are no ions in distilled water, which means it is completely devoid of impurities. Because of this, distilled water is used to recharge inverter batteries, vehicle batteries, medical uses, aquarium fish keeping, biological laboratories, and airplane engines.

Overall, all Marine, Automotive, Solar, and Industrial batteries need distilled water regularly. The most popular [amazon link=”B07D5JRMM3″ title=”RPI W20525″ /] is the highest purity of distilled water and is safe for inverter batteries.

Why Do We Use Distilled Water for Inverter Batteries?

Most of the users are unknown about why they use distilled water for inverter batteries. Distilled water is used in inverter batteries for a variety of reasons. Adding our daily usable drinking water to the inverter battery will clog the electrodes in the inverter when poured in.

Tap water contains ions, dust particles, and other organic substances, which slows down the chemical reaction inside the battery. Slowly, irons create a coating on them. As a result, no current is generated by the battery’s chemical reaction.

It is recommended by battery manufacturers to use distilled water with their batteries since it increases the battery’s usable life. One of them is [amazon link=”B07KMLWQ6X” title=”EZ Battery Filler” /] which offers an easy, quick, and safe way to refill the battery.

The TDS and PH levels of the inverter battery are exactly what they should be. Even power inverters for boats also need to add regular water but not the river or seawater!! Water must be distilled only because it is the only way to guarantee the proper performance of an inverter battery.

When and How Much to Add Distilled Water in Inverter Battery

If you’re unsure when I should fill distilled water in inverter battery, pay close attention to the following information. There is a water level indicator for the inverter batteries on top of them. Make sure you look for it. Each cell of the inverter battery is equipped with a water level indicator, and it is marked in two colors – Red and Green.

If It’s Green

You don’t need to do anything if the water indicator is at the “Green” point. You might be thinking, can you put too much-distilled water in a battery? No, you can’t. Verify that the water level does not rise above the green line. More water in your inverter battery is bad for the battery, so keep that to a minimum.

If It’s Red

Inverter battery cells need to be topped up with water if the indicator is nearing or already at the “red” mark or if it is below the “red” threshold and has to be topped up.

Pro-Tips for Refilling Distilled Water in Inverter Battery

Checking your water level is the best approach to determine when to refill. If the water level falls below the plate tops, the battery will be irreparably damaged. Here are a few tips to follow before refillings:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They will usually provide you with precise instructions for your battery.
• It is important to plan your battery maintenance by how frequently you use and recharge it.
• Temperature plays a role in water loss. Warmer climates necessitate more frequent water checks. It also aids in the comprehension of the causes of battery leaks.
• The water level should be around 12 inches above the plates to be considered normal. 
• Also, before adding water, ensure your battery is completely charged.

Step by Step Process of Filling the Inverter Battery with Distilled Water

Filling your inverter battery with distilled water is easy if you follow the steps to top-up water in inverter battery, also follow the dos and don’t instructions below-

Step 1: Using the water level indicators, check the battery’s level of distilled water. An inverter battery’s water level can be determined using these indicators. There is a red mark on the lower level and a green mark on the higher level;

Step 2: If the red mark indicates that the water level is low, then it’s time to top it off. Be careful to turn off both the inverter and the power socket switch before beginning. There’s no way you want anything to go wrong;

Step 3: Remove the water-topping vent plugs by turning them counterclockwise;

Step 4: Immediately after removing the vent plug, install a funnel in the hole, or you may make one out of a pet bottle and slowly pour distilled water inside;

Step 5: This method should be repeated for each chamber. Fill the vent plus with water until it reaches the green mark, which indicates how much water has been added to the hole;

Step 6: Replace the vent plug and turn it counterclockwise to seal the chamber. For each chamber, repeat this procedure in the same way;

Step 7:  Use a clean towel to wipe down the battery, vent plugs, and water level indicators;

Step 8: After you’ve filled the battery with purified water, switch the power back on.

Do’s and Don’ts of Adding Water to Inverter Battery

Please see the list below for more information on the dos and don’ts that you should be aware of if you possess an inverter battery to assist you even further.

Do’s

• Only distilled water should be used to recharge your inverter battery;
• Ensure your battery’s distilled water level is adequate by checking it once a month and maintaining a regular frequency;
• Wearing gloves while filling the battery with pure water is recommended;
• Fill the vent well with water to 1/8 inch above the battery’s charge level;
• Water should be added to fully charged batteries;
• Only if the plates are exposed then should water be added;
• Charge the batteries after covering the plates with water; After charging, add water to the desired level;
• Secure battery vent caps after watering.

Don’ts

• It is important not to overfill or underfill the distilled water in the inverter battery;
• Ensure that the chambers are able to discharge water as much as possible;
• As a substitute for distilled water, you can use RO water or any other type of filtered water.

Our Recommended Distilled Water

Below are a few top-graded distilled water that ensures purities to your inverter batteries.

Brand	Size	Weight	Compatible with
HAVENLAB Deionized Water	128 Fl Oz	8.00 pounds	Battery, Automotive, Cosmetics, Fish Aquarium
RPI W20525-4000.0 Distilled Water	4 liters	4.17 pounds	Machine shop,Automotive Coolant
Nestle 100585 Distilled Water	3.79 liters	5.4 pounds	Drinking, Cosmetics, Poultry, Inverter Battery
Deer Park Brand Distilled Water	3.79 liters	5.4 pounds	Drinking, Battery, Automotive, Cosmetics
BISupply Deionized Water	128 Fl Oz	8.55 Pounds	Drinking, Cosmetics, Automotive, Inverter Battery

FAQs

1. How to Make Distilled Water for Inverter Batteries?

Distillation is a straightforward process. Bring tap water to a boil until it turns to vapor. Any mineral residue is left behind when the vapor condenses back to the water. Distilled water is the resultant condensed liquid. 

2. Is It Safe to Put Rainwater in a Battery and Use It?

Water from the tap or rain has excess minerals and contaminants that shorten the battery’s life and efficiency. Corrosion and rusting degrade battery performance. 

3. How Much Water Should I Fill My Battery With?

A typical range of water level is about 1/12 inch above the tops of the plates when the plates are submerged.

4. What Is the Average Battery Life of an Inverter?

The average battery life of an inverter is 3 to 4 years. However, they require routine maintenance, such as electrolyte level checks and adding distilled water topping up.

5. What Happens if the Battery Cells Run Out of Water?

An out-of-water battery can overheat, and sulfation can happen on the battery’s lead plates.

Final Thought

Water, or electrolytes, is essential to a battery’s operation. A lead-acid battery’s capacity is determined by the amount of water it contains and the size of its plates. After going through the whole article, I hope you are clear on how much-distilled water to add to the inverter battery.

Knowing how to properly regulate your battery’s water levels will assist in extending battery life and preventing destructive battery failure. But remember never to use tap water to recharge your inverter battery.

Read more:

• Which Water to Put in Inverter Battery?
• What Happens if a Battery Runs Out of Water