Exploding Battery

[sasto]

Another post got me thinking. Has anybody ever had a battery explode?

I have had 2 of them explode on two different boats, but the same situation. Both were large boats, diesel power, and had generator or shore power all the time. The only DC used were electronics and heads, which were in use daily. One blew when we started the generator and the other an engine, while charger is on.

Common practice has been to supply constant power to the smart charger charging the battery..... Both batteries were about 3 years old and beginning to reach their life expectancy. I have never blown a battery in an auto or other vessel that only charges under use.

Is it better for a battery to go thru cycles or always topped off?....... The consenses among us was this happened because of "overloading" the battery while weak, fully charged, and putting a heavy load on her at once.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Exploding Battery

My understanding is, the fumes are explosive. Theory= constant charging brought fluidlevel down where fumes could acummulate, any spark and kaboom.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Exploding Battery

I once had a battery explode in a car. It was undersized and we were trying to jump it. My brother was directly above it looking down when it happened. Thankfully it was a cold day and he was wearing a ski mask and his eyeglasses. The acid ate right through the ski mask!

Nasty business, and a good reason to encase batteries in a boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Exploding Battery

I've only had one battery explode in my life (and I'm older than dirt) and that was a car that was driven dailly. Hit the key one day and poof - heck of mess under the hood. A fresh water flush took care of that. Never figured out why it happend but then it wasn't important and just chalked it up to "stuff happens". The battery was located far forward, away from and on the opposite side of the car from the starter and alternator so the only things that come to mind were 1) loose battery cable or 2) a sudden internal short that created a spark.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Exploding Battery

I had my mustang on the charger for about an hour. I got into the car to start it. I could see under the hood. when I hit the starter I saw a spark where the positive cable hooks on or the spark was where the charger was hooked. One hell of a noise. I found battery parts in my garage for years. I never hook up or tighten cables on a battery that is charging.

 

[asm_]

Re: Exploding Battery

Common cause for exploding battery are usually caused by bad connection on the battery post. Always make sure the connection is secure.

Another less common cause is short within the battery, it can happen with mfg defect or rough handling of the battery.

If you two batteries exploded, you may wan to check your battery connection and possibly make sure battery compartment is well vented.

B

 

[sasto]

Re: Exploding Battery

I once had a battery explode in a car. It was undersized and we were trying to jump it. My brother was directly above it looking down when it happened. Thankfully it was a cold day and he was wearing a ski mask and his eyeglasses. The acid ate right through the ski mask!

Nasty business, and a good reason to encase batteries in a boat.

Kind of relates to my situation in a way. Undersized (weak) battery with a jump (battery charger) Did battery explode under load?

 

[sasto]

Re: Exploding Battery

I've only had one battery explode in my life (and I'm older than dirt) and that was a car that was driven dailly. Hit the key one day and poof - heck of mess under the hood. A fresh water flush took care of that. Never figured out why it happend but then it wasn't important and just chalked it up to "stuff happens". The battery was located far forward, away from and on the opposite side of the car from the starter and alternator so the only things that come to mind were 1) loose battery cable or 2) a sudden internal short that created a spark.

Loose battery cable? I can't see that on these set ups. Both engine rooms were highly maintained. A sudden internal short?... From age and usage?.... Maybe, Silvertip. Don't know. I have read many of your post, and you as most agree on keeping your batteries "topped off" at all times for longer lasting life. On both vessels were 8 each of 27 series batteries are kept in solid fiberglass, vented boxes. they don't even see moisture.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Exploding Battery

Kind of relates to my situation in a way. Undersized (weak) battery with a jump (battery charger) Did battery explode under load?

Yes. It happened when I turned the key to start it. For the record, it was a brand new SUV I bought from a dealer. They must have swapped the batteries from a smaller car on the lot. They did cover it under warranty.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Exploding Battery

The only explosions I have heard about were batteries that were under heavy charge, so the hydrogen gas was being emitted from the battery. Hydrogen gas mixed with air explodes violently (see Demise of the Hindenburg). Also, hydrogen gas+air will find a source of ignition.....

It is therefore important to watch your eyes, when jumping or charging batteries. Acid is blinding.