Off Topic/slightly-Battery Explosion
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 869
Likes: 5
From: Near Shenandoah Valley
Off Topic/slightly-Battery Explosion
Two days before Thanksgiving I had a battery in the tractor explode right next to my head. Tractor has two batteries and they were dead. I plugged up the charger on 12 volt med. for about 45 min. then bent over to click it to low for overnight charging when it exploded next to my head. Battery acid went straight up through a hole in top of battery and the case ruptured along top corner and side. The sound was not unlike a .357 that was fired near me only much worse as I was apparently in the path of the sound. I had hooked battery up correctly but did not use frame as ground. I've seen specialists and they want to see monthly hearing tests for a while. Unlike me, wear both eye and ear protection when working around batteries. Since this happened I talked to someone that was simply tightening up the terminals on the top post when one exploded in his face, no jumping cables involved. Have a save and Merry ChrisTmas!
Last edited by 540milotalon; Dec 24, 2011 at 11:50 AM. Reason: typo
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 869
Likes: 5
From: Near Shenandoah Valley
I'm very sure I never touched anything but the switch. I was sure the batteries were dead when it did nothing, no lights around instrument cluster etc. So, with dead battery in mind I put the charger on med. then after a few min. I tried the key to on and the instrument lights came on. Awhile (45min. ?) later I switched it to low and while turning the switch it blew. I was simply bent over with my head next to the tractor and for a few moments not sure what happened. I have had the charger since buying it off a Snap On truck in '82. It's a 30/200A boost never had a problem before. I can't begin to imagine the number of batteries that charger has been hooked to. Please use PPE -personal protective equip.- both eye and ear. I walk around batteries the last month. The Doc's fear there might be a slight leakage of fluid in my inner ear, that's why the monthly tests. I've been reduced in my ability to get stuff done.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,347
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From: Kville, ohio
we had one on one of our fork trucks at work pop on us. talk about scarin the ***** outta you. people tend to forget sometimes that charging batteries release hydrogen gas which we know is explosive. something as simple as clogged vents can cause a batt to build pressure. and blow up. not exactly yout case but something to remember
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 141
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From: Glade Hill, VA 24092
Sorry to hear about that man but I have seen that happen and the outcome be much worse. I remember a buddy installing a oversize battery in his car and it exploded when he shut the hood, it blew the hood back open and hit him in the face hard enough to break his jaw. He had to have several surgeries and he had severe acid burns from his chest to his crotch.
I am surprised that I have not had something like this happen because I am the guy smoking while working with a open fuel system and I am forever laying tools on top of the battery, I have had to jerk more than one wrench off of battery terminals.
I am surprised that I have not had something like this happen because I am the guy smoking while working with a open fuel system and I am forever laying tools on top of the battery, I have had to jerk more than one wrench off of battery terminals.
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540milotalon
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