Battery explosion

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swmeader

swmeader

Member
Posts
64
Hi all, real strange event while driving today , sounded like i drove through a glass window, I literally had know idea what it was, expected to see broken headlights at best. When I could stop there was no damage to vehicle. There was an acid smell n the cab and on further inspection underneath the passenger seat there was what looked like water everywhere. This I believe was battery acid. The Yuasa battery was replaced a year ago but I could see the acid through a missing plug hole in the top.
Does anyone have an idea what could have caused this and also how to stop it happening again because it was pretty scary.
 
swmeader said:
Hi all, real strange event while driving today , sounded like i drove through a glass window, I literally had know idea what it was, expected to see broken headlights at best. When I could stop there was no damage to vehicle. There was an acid smell n the cab and on further inspection underneath the passenger seat there was what looked like water everywhere. This I believe was battery acid. The Yuasa battery was replaced a year ago but I could see the acid through a missing plug hole in the top.
Does anyone have an idea what could have caused this and also how to stop it happening again because it was pretty scary.
Click to expand...
Did you pull out the transport plugs when you fitted it ?
 
Flossie said:
Ieft the vent plug in? Usually fitted for transportation and must be removed during installation .
Click to expand...
I think I must of done, is it right to be able to view the inside of the battery and therefore the acid through this hole which is about the size of a 20p piece.
 
swmeader said:
I think I must of done, is it right to be able to view the inside of the battery and therefore the acid through this hole which is about the size of a 20p piece.
Click to expand...
No definitely not what has popped out is one of the sealing plugs which are perm sealed during manufacture...Back in the olden days you would pop them and top up water but they are all perm sealed now.
 
Transport plug is quite small and of a bright colour on one end of batt.
Do as above check alternator output with a few revs on, we checked a mates who's batt was flat expecting no charge but it was giving 20v. His battery had fried!
 
When you received the battery it should have had one or two vent plugs inserted to prevent acid leakage during transport.
These must be removed before use or the battery may pop! If the sealing plug has blown out then the battery is probably fubar.
The position of the vent plug(s), often red, depends on the battery e.g.:
th-2921290276.jpegth-1281192568.jpegth-605298402.png
 
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swmeader said:
I’ll post a pic tomorrow, thanks for your message.
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Morning please see attached pic of battery, someone mentioned the alternator maybe over charging. I was having trouble starting a few weeks ago , I thought maybe because I hardly ever drive it. However after I charged the battery overnight it has started perfectly. Incidentally the vehicle will still start now.
 

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swmeader said:
Morning please see attached pic of battery, someone mentioned the alternator maybe over charging. I was having trouble starting a few weeks ago , I thought maybe because I hardly ever drive it. However after I charged the battery overnight it has started perfectly. Incidentally the vehicle will still start now.
Click to expand...
Ahhh that hole isnt one of the fill plugs its the hole which says if its charged or not. Usually looks green for charged or black for flat. I wouldnt use it and would swap it out for safety. Gases are given off when batteries are charged and as you have smelt fumes, as you drive it may well rattle liquid out of there. It has a 5 year guarantee, take it back.

I doubt it has mattered but you should have it secured with the bar which is top of picture to stop it rattling around with braking etc.
images


carput.my

The Truth About Car Battery's Magic Eye | CARPUT

The magic eye of a car battery is there to check on the condition of your car battery. But how reliable is the magic eye indicator?
carput.my carput.my

None of this helps with the cause, of what sounds like a considerable build up of pressure in the battery ?
 
Last edited:
Take plug out and claim on warranty, as noted above pressure build up is normal with a battery being charged.
This is not an explosion just an over pressure event.
I had a battery on charge in my workshop when it exploded! I had put on charge a few minuets before and was working on something else. I was fortunate to be facing away from it as acid splattered all over the place. Coat and hat protected me except for back of neck, Went out side and ran hose over myself.
Three cells of the tractor battery had blown to bits. Hydrogen is the gas produced and likely an internal fault/short ignited it.
 
ER1C said:
Ahhh that hole isnt one of the fill plugs its the hole which says if its charged or not. Usually looks green for charged or black for flat. I wouldnt use it and would swap it out for safety. Gases are given off when batteries are charged and as you have smelt fumes, as you drive it may well rattle liquid out of there. It has a 5 year guarantee, take it back.

I doubt it has mattered but you should have it secured with the bar which is top of picture to stop it rattling around with braking etc.
images


carput.my

The Truth About Car Battery's Magic Eye | CARPUT

The magic eye of a car battery is there to check on the condition of your car battery. But how reliable is the magic eye indicator?
carput.my carput.my

None of this helps with the cause, of what sounds like a considerable build up of pressure in the battery ?
Click to expand...
Thanks for all your input guys, I’ll try and fine receipt and take back to Halfords 👍
 
swmeader said:
Morning please see attached pic of battery, someone mentioned the alternator maybe over charging. I was having trouble starting a few weeks ago , I thought maybe because I hardly ever drive it. However after I charged the battery overnight it has started perfectly. Incidentally the vehicle will still start now.
Click to expand...
magic eye blowout, faulty cell
 
make some noise with halfrauds they are not exactly the sharpest, kids in car scared the wofe to bits nearly crashed not happy etc
 
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