distilled water vs purified water for batteries

[GringoPhil]

purified water vs. distilled water for the batteries ( coach, and/or starting batteries).

Not looking to save money here, but maybe lazy, saving a trip to the store if I am out of distilled water, and only have purified "spring" (ha ha) water.

Is there some chemical or other property of distilled that lasts better in the batteries? or prolongs their life? Or is the purified bottled water OK as well?

Thank you - Phil

[lbrachfe]

Distilled only !

[tuga]

Where do you buy "distilled" water?

I have tried WalMart, Target, and my local supermarket; they all have spring water or "drinking water".

Any ideas?

[FJGuard]

Hi Tuga, Most supermarkets carry distilled water. Walmart should carry it maybe ask next time your there. It's easy to miss but it will be located next to the spring and drinking water. At Walmart it would have a purple labeL that says distilled.

[prairieschooner]

I only use Distilled Water in my Batteries. The rest of the waters would have dissolved solids or minerals in them. These minerals will stick to the lead plates and shorten the life of the batteries. I use TROJAN T-105 6 Volts DC Batteries for the House and since they are 5 years old and still going strong it works well for me.
I have found Distilled Water at Walmart nut usually buy it at the Grocery Store. I also only use Distilled Water in my Radiators.

[prairieschooner]

Just found this link if you cannot find distilled water, you can make it!;
http://sunfrost.com/blog/2011/02/producing-distilled-water-for-batteries/

[lbrachfe]

Distilled water is at Walmart and all supermarkets. Steve is correct in his explaination. you will shorten the life dramatically if you use anything else...

[tuga]

I try looking again, but the last time I looked - no distilled water. Of course, my wife says I can't find anything in a supermarket.

Maybe she's right! Thanks for the posts.

[prairieschooner]

that is why I showed you how to make it. much easier if you have a still.

[express1]

Tuga, it usually has a picture of a baby on the one gallon jug. Its everywhere.

[chockwald]

Every market I have been in carries distilled water.

[GringoPhil]

Distilled water carries the day! Thanks all for the very informative answers. I shall get myself to a store and pick up a few bottles so I am no longer tempted to put in bottled water in a moment of weakness.

[Archie T. Hogan]

What about using soft water?

[lbrachfe]

Only distilled

[The Newell]

Softened water contains sodium..... not the best thing for batteries. Distilled only.