I topped off my Boat Battery with Distilled vinegar in error. Will my battery still function properly? What is the chemical composition of vinegar?
by 
Matthew
ANSWERS: 2
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I can't claim to know if the battery will still work, but the electrolyte in batteries is an acid solution of some kind. As for the composition of vinegar, it is a solution of acetic acid.
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G'day Matthew, Thank you for your question. Vinegar is produced by distilling ethanol (a form of alcohol) to produce acetic acid. Its name means sour wine in old French and wine was probably the first type of alcohol vinegar was distilled from. The acetic acid concentration ranges typically from 4 to 8 percent by volume for table vinegar (typically 5%) and higher concentrations for pickling (up to 18%) although in some countries the minimum strength may be less. It also contains tartaric acid and citric acid. I doubt if your boat battery will work but you could give it a try. You will probably have to get a new battery at the very least. I have attached sources for your reference. Regards References Wikipedia Vinegar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar Vinegar Institute http://www.versatilevinegar.org/ All About Vinegar http://www.vinegar.org/ FDA http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgfod/cpg525-825.html Encyclopedia Britannica Vinegar
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