Battery Explosion

[CaptCrunch]

just got a call from my marina, they went to start my boat to start getting winterizing done. Boat cranked, then one of the big batteries exploded spewing acid everywhere. anyone have any idea what may have caused this?

 

[PascalG]

What kind of batteries, how old, when where they last watered and the connections inspected ?

A loose connection can spark and ignite the gas This is why I am a big fan of battery boxes... contained the acid! Better get a lot of baking sofa...

 

[CaptCrunch]

Pascal, only my second season with the boat, don't know how old the batteries were. They had everything open in prep for winterizing, it was in a battery box

 

[Michael Clemensen]

Hydrogen Gas in area then spark. Hydrogen gas, battery low level of electrolyte internal arc/explosion.

Old but still valid report: http://articles.latimes.com/1999/aug/26/news/hw-3902

 

[Nautiville]

I had a generator battery blow up this summer. Still blew the top off the (strapped on box lid) but the majority of the mess was contained in the battery box. I"m a big fan of battery boxes also!

 

[32carv]

Always use battery boxes but wish somebody would find a solution to replace the gd straps I always fight with. I can never remember how to route the strap so it stays tight.
Jim

 

[j-d]

A loose connection could have sparked the hydrogen. Or, a cell connector within the battery could come loose, creating a spark inside when the battery was suddenly loaded or charged. The internal thing isn't common but it happens.

 

[Audrey II]

I had my Generator battery explode as well big mess but could have been avoided by checking the water lever more frequenly.

 

[pdecat]

As you can see battery explosions are not rare. The usual cause when someone is working on it is a spark from disconnecting the cables.

 

[32carv]

Is the mechanic winterizing the boat responsible?
Jim

 

[CaptCrunch]

The Mechanic isn't responsible,. they hadn't touched anything other then opening the engine hatch before starting the boat.

 

[pdecat]

no the mechanic is not responsible. A battery outgassing that much has problems. Lucky the mechanic was not hurt. Why are we always looking to blame someone? $hit happens.

 

[32carv]

Just asking a question based on the above info. No need for values lecture.
Jim

 

[pdecat]

No offense intended, sorry.

 

[Gregory S]

I think pretty much no marina employees are responsible for anything that happens on or to our boats when they are working on them unless they do something way out of the norm.