House batteries exploded...

Billysurf · June 16, 2017, 04:56:55 PM

Hello bus friends! Jen Martin here (Billy's wife)-- we are about to set sail to our next location and we just realized our house batteries have exploded!! Any ideas as to why this would happen?

Thanks in advance!!

Geoff · June 16, 2017, 05:16:46 PM

Battery gas and a spark in an enclosed area.

--Geoff

ol713 · June 16, 2017, 06:24:28 PM

HI;
I noticed holes in the plywood to the left. Some one was thinking about gas and
ventilation issues. Also noticed there is/was no water in the battery that blew
up. Might want to check the water in the other batteries. Mean while, I think you
need another group 31 battery.
Merle.

jav9956 · June 16, 2017, 06:50:15 PM

Batteries release hydrogen when being charged; this is explosive/flammable in concentrations over ~4% of total air volume. General safety would be to keep concentration under 2% for a little bit of a buffer.

When batteries are charged improperly hydrogen sulfide can be produced. This is a toxic gas but you can tell when it happens (you can smell the sulfur like smell from the sulfide)... not all that common. If your battery releases hydrogen sulfide it is because you are literally cooking them/failing to water them.

Doesn't take much of a spark to cause a minor "explosion" if the concentration of hydrogen is right which is why typically ventilation is required; or just don't stuff them into a little box and put the lid on it ---> larger air volume means larger amount of hydrogen require to get to the 4% threshold.

Also, make sure you are watering your batteries! Very important to check periodically.

brmax · June 16, 2017, 07:09:22 PM

Some of the maintenance free batteries can be tough checking water levels.
These in the pic look to be tough. I would use a box or two of baking soda to neutralize the spilled acid. Then a good follow up with a water hose the area somehow.

Floyd

Dave5Cs · June 16, 2017, 09:19:39 PM

maybe overcharged or vented out through plywood box but should also have some holes in the bottom to the outside so it doesn 't build up inside the bay with nowhere to go. Look around near it is there anything that might create a spark? if so put it in another bay. A good 3 stage charger works well but not in that same box.

Lee Bradley · June 17, 2017, 12:15:37 AM

Had there been a build up of hydrogen outside the battery, in the box, the box would have been in pieces. The battery was low on water and had room for hydrogen to build up and it doesn't require a spark just a hot spot on one of those exposed plates. When you get new batteries, change the wiring. There are much better ways to wire the batteries for longer life and better charging.

Billysurf · June 17, 2017, 04:07:31 AM

Baking soda, check! We've cleaned up and I've heard Sam's Club is a good place to get deep cycle batteries. What kinds do I need? Currently I have three, well make that two and one exploded to bits. And how should I wire them that's different than before? Anyone have a diagram or reference?

luvrbus · June 17, 2017, 05:42:45 AM

Looking at your photos you need to toss the converter charger and small inverter you are running the fridge on and buy a inverter with 3 stage charging capabilities ,DC converters are nothing but problems when it comes to charging house batteries.Sam's deep cycle batteries are as good as any for flooded batteries

muldoonman · June 17, 2017, 05:50:50 AM

They're expensive but I have 3 (8D) Lifelines under mine. AGM's. no gas. Been there a few years now. A good Magnum inverting/charger .

luvrbus · June 17, 2017, 05:58:26 AM

Quote from: muldoonman on June 17, 2017, 05:50:50 AM
They're expensive but I have 3 (8D) Lifelines under mine. AGM's. no gas. Been there a few years now. A good Magnum inverting/charger .

Trust me AGM batteries can be a problem also with thermal runaway I have 6-8D's to prove it

TomC · June 17, 2017, 08:37:43 AM

Granted, there can be problems with any kind of battery. I've had good luck with Lifeline AGM batteries. No water to check (they're sealed), can operate in any position (except upside down), normally do not gas as long as the charging voltage is under 14.1v, can be charged very fast due to the less resistance inherent to AGM. My first set of 2-8D's lasted 7 years-good considering they have a 5 year warranty. During those 7 years, because of AGM's don't gas, never cleaned the terminals. In fact, I did zero maintenance on them-it was as though they weren't even there. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · June 17, 2017, 08:50:12 AM

LifeLine requires spacing for air movement around the batteries and in a vented area now I just went through this and they said read the install instructions they do gas but in small amounts because it is regulated

sledhead · June 17, 2017, 09:00:51 AM

I like the old 6 volt gulf cart batteries ( but if you are using 12 volt you need 4 of them ) easy to add water and they are hard to kill and are less money then most and my first set lasted for 10 years

I vented my wood box on the bottom on one end and on the top on the other end

dave

Zephod · June 17, 2017, 12:08:55 PM

My battery solution is different. I run small batteries as my demands are very low....
A 5AH and a 10AH in a steel ammunition box, held in place with riveted steel brackets. Baking soda sprinkled around and packs of baking soda taped on top of the batteries (not only does it neutralize acid but it puts out fires. Those batteries run my two ventilation set ups.

Two 7AH batteries in another ammunition box. Again, brackets and baking soda.

The two battery packs can be interchanged and one or other can be used to charge cellphone, tablet, MiFi pad etc.

Lighting - that's D cell powered lanterns and the D cells are disposable. At 50C a battery, it's not worth the bother of putting in dedicated lighting.

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