There are options, such as gell-cell. The problem with the
battery having low acid (liquid) level is that the cell
plates must be submerged in liquid electrolyte in order to
work. If the plates become exposed to air and dry out they
will become useless.
Overcharging will over-heat the battery and boil away the
electrolyte, so installing a voltmeter so you can monitor
that you don't charge above the design limits (12 volt uses
14.5-14.75 as top of the green) and 24 volt uses 26-28 volts
as top, will do a lot to allowing the monitoring of the
battery and charging system.

BTW, aircraft mechanics have to get into all kinds of small
and cramped spaces on a daily basis. Aircraft designers
just assume that their girl friends are dating mechanics and
are trying to get even.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


wrote in message
...
|I am a new airplane owner (since May). My mechanic replaced
my battery
| last June. No choices, I figured he bought the one it
needed.
|
| Just serviced it (added water). It's in a REALLY awkward
spot to get at
| and see inside the cells -- on the floor under the
instrument panel of a
| plane with no doors (climb in over the sides). I
understand if the water
| level is not just right, it will boil over and then needs
to be cleaned
| with baking soda and water. I've heard since that the
battery should be
| removed when servicing. Today I heard you can buy a dry
battery, that
| there is controversy about which lasts longer, but that
maybe since mine
| is so difficult to access, the dry type would be a better
choice.
|
| Thoughts/Opinions?