Thread: dodged a bullet

More and more batteries are maintenance free (i.e. maintenance impossible) and this is a problem because you can't add water to keep the electrolyte above the plates. This occurs more often with automatic charging systems. For example, the U of MO hospital in Columbia has such a system and their back up generators are powered by big Caterpillar Engines which are started by big D/C batteries. A few years ago, they switched to the MF type battery and very soon had 3 - 4 of those big batteries blow up.

They had a very rigid maintenance system that required them to check the electrolyte monthly which they could no longer do. If you have a similar "float charge" system on your boat, make sure you have plenty of ventilation (a battery box with a lid is not) and don't charge too fast.

Speaking of battery boxes, most of them are made out of a plastic that will burn like a torch. A battery with a dead short will melt down to the plates and go out. A battery box will flame up and spread the fire to other things (gas tanks?). It is a senseless shame that some states require you to have your batteries in plastic boxes that are actually a hazard.

Originally Posted by got crappie

Had one blow up about a month ago ,my cranking battery right after I charged it up was told I should have let it set for a while before I tried to start it up.

Here is a Pic of Dave's Battery; lucky guy! Old batteries build up gas (LIKE SOME FOLKS I KNOW) due to less liquid so more room for gas to build.....let them air out!