[ QUOTE ]
No,NO, the water obtained contains contaminants from the air.
[/ QUOTE ] I know it is generally not advised but what contaminants would be present that were not in the distilled water that was always used before deionised water became the norm. Salt I suppose in a marine environment?
Salt and dust and other previously airborn contaminants. IMHO for a one off top up it would probably not do much real harm but for regular top ups NO. - For all a gallon of distilled/demin water costs I would / will stick with the "real thing".
--------------------
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity" sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
No,NO, the water obtained contains contaminants from the air.
I know it is generally not advised but what contaminants would be present that were not in the distilled water that was always used before deionised water became the norm. Salt I suppose in a marine environment?
[/ QUOTE ]
I think VicS was right here until his last line.
You do get salt entrained in the air, outside, at sea, under blustery conditions. How much of that is going to remain in the air inside a closed still boat? i.e the conditions where a de-humid. is used. Remember it's entrained, not evaporated - its not "part" of the air, just suspended in it for the time being. It will soon settle out.
Surely no-one is suggesting that the salt that does get below, inside of the boat, will evaporate to cause "salty humidity"
What other airborne minerals are folks concerned about?
To check the quality test the resistance of a sample with a standard cheap electrical test meter. It may need something like a pair of crocodile clips on the prods to increase the wetted surface area.
Lke this
Compare that figure with a sample of de-ionised water and as a check do the same with seawater and tap water.
The higher the resistance the lower the disolved solids content or the purer the water.
Nicotine, aresols from cooking are but a few,I agree a one off top up may not do to much harm,once topped a battery with gin, somebody dumped my tripple distilled water and refilled with Gin,then made the flaggon look as though it had been in its rack for years. Passed the customs rumagers ok, the end result was that two batterys failed,with luck whilst still in uk waters,1/2way across the pond we would have been in deep SH**.