Quote Originally Posted by Glowgood Jigster
I don't remember checking the water level, as the battery was brand new and this was the first time I used and charged it.

What type of gasses could battery lead give off that wheel weight lead wouldn't? I admit ignorance on this, first time I've ever heard about such a thing. Could I just stay clear upwind of the process and be ok? Sure hate to waste about ten pounds of lead...
When batteries are recycled ... the lead is melted in a closed chamber. Biggest reasons ... to stop lead particles from entering the air, and to stop sulfer particles from entering the air. The lead of the battery will absorb some of the sulfer from the sulfuric acid, or sulfer particles may attach themselves to the lead plates. When melted, the sulfer is detached from the lead.
You may still be able to use the "exploded" battery, as a deposit on the purchase of another battery. Most places usually charge you an extra $7-$8 if you don't have a dead one to turn in, when purchasing a new one. The recycle plants are going to tear the old battery down, anyway, so I doubt they'd care whether it's exploded or whole. Now, the retail store may not like it much :D but, since the acid is gone, anyway ... they may not care, either.

If you still plan on keeping the lead plates (core) ... you might want to "clean" them first, just to insure that you don't get acid burns handling them (or inhale sulfer fumes when melting them). Wash them in a baking soda solution, until the bubbling stops. That should neutralize the acid. And, it would be a real good idea to wear some type of respirator, or filtered mask, when melting lead. No sense in giving yourself a case of lead poisoning, just to make some jigs & sinkers. And be sure and melt lead in a very well ventilated area (fan forced air ventilation, if inside ... or outdoors, which would be even better) ... but wear a mask, in either case !!

I'm not 100% sure about any of this information ... so take it with that thought in mind. You do what you do, at your own risk ... luck2ya ... cp