Exploding battery

[musicman]

Saw this story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-15125759

 

The guy was changing his battery when it exploded - got me thinking "How did that happen"?

[Hairy-Neil]

Lead-acid batteries are dangerous things. When charging they release hydrogen gas, a spark is enough to bolw the top off, or the side out, and shower you with sulphuric acid....

 

Alternatively a dead short of sufficient amps capacity, across the terminals of a fully charged battery, will do the same.

 

Some good advice here....

 

CLICKY

[Mac of Cygnet]

Happened to me once, when jump-starting the van one morning. I was very lucky not to be covered in acid, as I was standing right beside it. As it was, just hosed everything down, replaced the battery and set off for market.........

[Guest]

I wasalways taught that the last connection for jump leads should be to the engine block and not the battery.

[davidc]

Happened to me once, when jump-starting the van one morning. I was very lucky not to be covered in acid, as I was standing right beside it. As it was, just hosed everything down, replaced the battery and set off for market.........

 

It’s all ways handy to have a squeeze bottle of slightly salty water at hand near your battier box in case of emergencies.

Saline solution is best to clean out the eye which is the most delicate part of the face.

 

I use

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Sterile-Saline-360ml_10991/

[dave_2A_]

Just proves that accidents can happen to all of us, not just the inexperienced - Scotty is a long-term liveaboard.

[Bob18]

When lead-acid batteries go, they go with a big bang.

I've got a "rogues gallery" of big batteries that have destroyed themselves, and the lumps of steel around them...

[bizzard]

If you read the battery testing tips i gave Sebrof in his split charge it Topic will give some indication of the precautions required. bizzard

[AJLintern]

Whenever I charge my car battery I always attach the leads to the battery terminals before switching on the charger, and more importantly turn off the charger before removing the leads when charged.

[Bob18]

And make sure the electrolyte is up to the mark before you start to charge.

[Guest]

I am not having a dig at anyone here, but I often wonder about "gas free" boats that have huge battery banks. Having seen batteries explode, I hardly think such craft are gas free. Each to their own though.

[bizzard]

I am not having a dig at anyone here, but I often wonder about "gas free" boats that have huge battery banks. Having seen batteries explode, I hardly think such craft are gas free. Each to their own though.

Here,here.