BATTERY EXPLOSION

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BATTERY EXPLOSION

June 14, 2013, 07:42:58 pm

I do not know when it happened but in the last four days one of the house batteries exploded. The hole covers at least two cells on half of the battrey.

I am connected to shore power, 30 amp. There is a built in surge protector. The coach is parked almost next to the house. However the battery compartment is on the opposite side. DID not hear anything.

Any ideas on how this could happen, short of a bad battery.

Norm

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #1 – June 14, 2013, 07:47:38 pm

Explosions with battery is usually caused by over charging, producing gas vapor and a spark = Bang

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Reply #2 – June 14, 2013, 08:27:57 pm

Would that be an inverter problem? I also have a solar panel for charging the house batts.

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Reply #3 – June 14, 2013, 08:33:14 pm

I would guess it is simply over charging, producing the gas. Where is the ignition (spark) coming from, contactor, loose / poor battery connections ?

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Reply #4 – June 14, 2013, 09:13:10 pm

Do not know the answers to those questions. Just discovered this around dusk. Before I go crawling around in that compartment I want to wash it down, don't need any acid burns.

The batteries are dated 2010 and are Interstate. All the connections look good. The weather has been a little on the cool side, 50 at night and low 60's day time and RAIN!!!

Any recommendations on replacements.

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #5 – June 14, 2013, 10:02:17 pm

The very first thing would be to use a good quality digital volt ohm meter (VOM) so you have a clue what the battery voltage is no matter how your charging.
The idea is not to exceed the max charging voltage for the battery setup, (Everyone seems to have their own idea what correct is), so ask the dealer where you purchased the Interstate Batteries for their opinion. Depending on the type battery, the charging max voltage changes.
Dave M

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Reply #6 – June 14, 2013, 11:08:47 pm

Why not tell us what kind of batteries they are/were. Nat Interstate makes all kinds.

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Reply #7 – June 15, 2013, 06:36:54 am

I'm sorry I just assumed that most folks knew what the house batteries are. Anyway my fault for assuming. I have since learned that folks will use multipels of smaller batteries to save some bucks.

There are 2 Interstate 8D-XHD Workaholic, installed Feb 2010. I am not the original pucherser. I bought the coach in Dec 2012 at MOT. Have since put about 4500 miles on the coach. No problem until this week.

I will be working on this today. Both, in my opinion should be replaced. However, if in fact overcharging has taken place I also have to look at back up the line to see if something has failed in the charging system. Or was it my own fault for assuming the levels in the batteries was fine? Hmmmmm

I will take a photo later today, after I wash the compartment.

Norm

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #8 – June 15, 2013, 07:07:13 am

Quote from: sawdust316 – June 15, 2013, 06:36:54 am

I'm sorry I just assumed that most folks knew what the house batteries are. Anyway my fault for assuming. I have since learned that folks will use multipels of smaller batteries to save some bucks.

There are 2 Interstate 8D-XHD Workaholic, installed Feb 2010.

Those appear to be flooded (wet cell) http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Products/RT/PID-8D-XHD%28Commercial%29.aspx?dsNavigation=Nrc~id-3|id-5%2CN~4283764382&Title=Workaholic+-+1155+CCA

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Reply #9 – June 15, 2013, 07:08:25 am

Wow, that is scary. I agree with Dave about the gases and a spark. Bet they are wet cells.

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Reply #10 – June 15, 2013, 07:13:11 am

It's important to neutralize any acid leakage immediately. Owners have had to replace the entire bottom framework of the coach following battery case failure.

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Reply #11 – June 15, 2013, 10:06:31 am

Just completed removal of batteries and washing inside of compartment.

Here are some photos of the battery

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Reply #12 – June 15, 2013, 10:18:40 am

Ha, that is a minor event meanng it was not gassing alot, just enough. Have seen events that required major clean up including shovels to pick up the pieces of case & plates.
Small educational event, just be aware.

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Reply #13 – June 15, 2013, 10:49:56 am

If one of the other house batteries was going/had gone bad and wasn't charging up, would that be a condition that could have caused an overcharging of the now-exploded battery?

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Reply #14 – June 15, 2013, 11:14:24 am

Quote from: sawdust316 – June 15, 2013, 06:36:54 am

Or was it my own fault for assuming the levels in the batteries was fine? Hmmmmm

Norm

Seems to me this may be the problem.

Roland

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #15 – June 15, 2013, 11:27:13 am

Charging systems have improved a great deal in the past decade. The very first upgrade to our U225 was to get a Progressive dynamics 45-amp charger/converter (along with a "wizard") and remove the old converter. We also installed a Tri Metric TM-2025 battery system monitor which performs a myriad of tasks for the house batteries and also gives us a digital voltage reading for both house and starting batteries.

I'm not a big believer in combination charger/inverter systems and even prefer to have multiple, separate, inverters for different tasks around the motorhome. I've written about this before but I'm pretty sure everyone else thinks I'm a nutcase.

I also check the fluid levels in the wet cells every couple of months; and more often when the temperatures climb into the 90s.

Checking water levels is a major PITA (at least in our coach). I use a mirror and a flashlight plus a bulb for adding water. I do not - EVER - use anything but distilled water and keep a gallon aboard just for this purpose.

Connections should also be checked for tightness.

Our U225 is equipped with a battery box inside the compartment that is vented and sealed. If we did have an explosion this fiberglass case would probably take the brunt of the damage and maybe even keep acid from getting out (depending upon the severity of the explosion).

Hope your coach cleans up easily. Do not forget to neutralize any possible acid contamination!!! Google it!

Craig

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #16 – June 15, 2013, 12:18:22 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – June 15, 2013, 11:27:13 am

I'm not a big believer in combination charger/inverter systems and even prefer to have multiple, separate, inverters for different tasks around the motorhome.

I was until I replaced my third inverter/charger. I now have seperate inverter and charger.
Roland

Quote

Checking water levels is a major PITA (at least in our coach). I use a mirror and a flashlight plus a bulb for adding water

I just installed a "watering system" for that very reason. Now I just stick the hose in a jug of distilled water pump the bulb until it is no longer possible and Voila battery water level is where it should be.

Roland

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Reply #17 – June 15, 2013, 03:46:31 pm

Thanks for the pics, now I don't have to blow one up to see what the insides looks like

Larry

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Reply #18 – June 15, 2013, 05:09:56 pm

Being the village idiot, I have no clue why anyone would choose a wet cell/flooded battery, that is asking for issues from little explosions from gassing, corrosion from the fumes/over charging, need to keep eye on water levels etc. ??

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Reply #19 – June 15, 2013, 05:19:08 pm

Dave the primary reason is MooLah. A wet cell 8D is about $150 from Sam's and will last at least three years on average.

Also, don't just rinse out the contaminated battery compartment. Flush with water the first time but then flush again with water mixed with baking soda or ammonia. Let that sit for an hour and then flush several more times with fresh water. You don't want to leave any residual acid under the floor and around the steel box frame.

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Reply #20 – June 15, 2013, 05:44:52 pm

Good point Kent. When I sold my bus, a bought a couple of Sam's Club 8Ds for about $100 each. The old ones were 6 or 7 years old so not a bad deal.

I did see one of our prevention cars come in the back of the station with all 6 caps blown off and each cell acting like Old Faithful. Must have taken almost five minutes for it to stop. Nothing wrong just before it happened. Was spectacular to watch.

Dave's point is also well taken. If the budget is fat, there are a lot of better choices.

Pierce

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #21 – June 15, 2013, 06:22:33 pm

My son's neighbor is an Interstate dealer or distributor (don't know which). This week I was offered Interstate 8D wet cell trade-ins for the just the core charge. I probably could have reduced the price to zero by trading my several years old AGM batteries. The trade-ins were six months old. I declined, even before reading the "explosion" thread.

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Reply #22 – June 16, 2013, 01:39:19 am

I should have added that my Sam's Club 8Ds were engine batteries and that I had a couple of deep cycle Trojan 6 volts for the house batteries. Any time the wet cells are cycled very many percent down, they give up a lot of life. Three years as a house battery in a Foretravel would be doing well for them.

All of our Detroit 8-71s had two wet 8Ds to start. They lasted many years but were checked for water level and specific gravity once a week and plugged in if down even a tiny bit plus every one was started and most were driven each day.

A battery in a Prius can "shallow cycle" tens of thousands of times in it's lifetime. Bay area engineers reprogrammed some to be able to be driven without the engine until about 20% of it's capacity has been used. So you can drive it downtown and back without the engine starting and then plug it in at home but this shortens the battery life considerably. And at over $3000 for batteries...

Pierce

Pierce

Re: BATTERY EXPLOSION

Reply #23 – June 16, 2013, 11:36:45 am

Battery Money ?, then should buy the cheapest tires.

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Reply #24 – June 16, 2013, 12:23:08 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 15, 2013, 05:19:08 pm

Dave the primary reason is MooLah. A wet cell 8D is about $150 from Sam's and will last at least three years on average.

I must admit that it was MooLah was a consideration when I replaced my old house gel batteries. And I did consider buying new two 8D gel cells, and even considered wet cells. But in the end, after lots of research, I opted for the AGMs and haven't looked back. My chassis start batteries are still wet cell, but they are out in the open in the engine compartment .

I think two of my best decisions concerning our U225 has been the Progressive Dynamics 70 amp charger/converter w/charge wizard, and AGM house batteries.

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