Exploding battery

Post general ACVW topics here
Forum rules
If its not ACVW related, post it in Off Topic.
Post Reply
User avatar
John Alves
Crankshaft
Posts: 792
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:06 pm
What model do you have?: 58Ghia 68bug68buggy
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 48 times
South Africa

Exploding battery

Post by John Alves »

I charged my Ghia battery overnight with one of those 'charge/discharge' chargers, disconnected the charger terminals and turned the key, then bang
just like a gun shot, acid everywhere, luckily no-one was nearby.
The battery is about 4 years old,I mistakingly thought this was a self venting battery as I could not see and vent holes to open
(until I pulled back a large sticker covering them) I had charged the battery before with no issues.
I will put this down to school fees and buy a new one. :oops:
IMG_5485.JPG
IMG_5484.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
No sense being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway.

1958 1600 TP Karmann Ghia
1968 1600 TP Beamish buggy
1968 1500 SP Beetle
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8710
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 541 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Exploding battery

Post by retrovan »

Hey, Thats a Bum one, it could have disfigured you with all the acid.

Now that was luck, maybe you should try the Lotto......

Think you should show it to the supplier, may stop someone else get hurt.....

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 15008
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 192 times
Been thanked: 488 times
South Africa

Re: Exploding battery

Post by Tony Z »

yikes!! Glad you are OK
Dawie
Fuel Injection
Posts: 2114
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:25 pm
What model do you have?: Aircooled, various
Location: Kaapstadt
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 208 times
South Africa

Re: Exploding battery

Post by Dawie »

Was there an issue with your battery before you recharged? Maybe one of the links between the cells inside did not make good contact. Then, when turning key, a spark happened inside...
Staying Aircooled is so much nicer.
Do'nt assume anything- (While doing fault-finding).
Terry Phillips
Fuel Injection
Posts: 2005
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:56 pm
What model do you have?: T3,1beetle
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 193 times
Been thanked: 121 times
Zambia

Re: Exploding battery

Post by Terry Phillips »

Having seen this a few times and if you look at your battery on the side that blew out is the breather hole close to the negative terminal post and if you charged it in a poor ventelated space the odds are that the sulphuric acid gasses given off from charging it increase and where hanging about and when you tried starting it the terminal may have been loose or not making good contact and caused a spark igniting the sulphuric acid fumes and ignited fumes made their way back down the vent hole and bang there goes a few rand for that reason its best to take the caps off so there is no fume build up.inside the battery thats if it has screw on caps.
Thats my 2c worth,I have been known to tell lies before though.
User avatar
Drusky
Crankshaft
Posts: 770
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:15 am
What model do you have?: '71 Deluxe Kombi
Location: Port Elizabeth
Has thanked: 77 times
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Exploding battery

Post by Drusky »

I have blown about 3 of those long Silver sealed jobs. Two on my Tata truck and one on charge. I used a smart charger on the charging one, set to fast, deep charge. The truck alternator was putting out too high a voltage.

It's a real bastard when a batter explodes in your workshop. Fine mist of concentrated Sulphuric acid goes all over the place. Recommend to you spray all exposed mild steel with light oil and wipe all surfaces not with water but with an acid neutralize. Bicarbonate of soda solution?

https://www.tamut.edu/About/administrat ... sposal.pdf
Post Reply