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Water in the battery box - oh my!
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jralbert
#1 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 8:48:47 AM(UTC)
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When my Genset didn't start today (no clicks, nothing), I opened the battery box to make sure the cables were tight and I discovered that it was 2/3 full with liquid. First temptation was to lift out the battery and dump the liquid into the bilge. Luckily, I came to my senses quickly after realizing that stuff was not rainwater but rather battery acid.

So, plan A is to get a box of baking soda and pour it into the box to neutralize the acid. After giving it a little bit of time to work, I'll lift the battery, drain the liquid, put it (the battery) into a cardboard box and a plastic bag to protect it while I haul it to a nearby disposal site. (West Marine or our yard mechanic).

Why do these things burst in moderate weather? It was doing fine several weeks ago

Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
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Docsnow
#2 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 9:05:18 AM(UTC)
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Joel,

Possibly over charging ? Think

Norm,

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jralbert
#3 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 9:14:46 AM(UTC)
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THat's a possibility, Norm. the battery was low sevl wks ago, barely starting the genset which I left running for about an hour to boost the charge. No external charger. Oh..forgot to mention - it's a maintenance free, sealed unit
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
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dougrose
#4 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 2:15:04 PM(UTC)
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A couple of times through the years I have had the same problem, a cracked battery case. Fortunately it was once in a vehicle and once in a fiberglass boat.

The "sealed" "maintenance-free" batteries are just ordinary flooded batteries with special caps and a seal to keep you from removing them. They need battery boxes and can leak.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries have fiberglass between the electrodes, soaked with acid gel, and they can be punctured without leaking, and are often used without battery boxes. They are rugged, and so good for starting that often you can buy a size smaller and still get the cranking current needed. Sadly, they are expensive.

I use the Optima brand, and I start diesels easily with the 50 Ah size. For a house battery I use a pair of the size 31, 75 Ah, batteries. They seem to last at least 8 years in hard use.


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
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Rick100
#5 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:54:02 PM(UTC)
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Joel, Batteries just don't burst out of the blue for no reason ( usually ). A badly sulfated battery will cause the case to swell on the sides but that very seldom leads to fracture. Check the bottom of the case to see if there is a rock or screw that the battery could have been sitting on. Is it possible the water is from another source?
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fastjeff
#6 Posted : Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:25:37 PM(UTC)
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Possibly a sharp spot (??) that rubbed through the case? Doesn't take a large hole to drain a battery.

Jeff
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pfhlaw
#7 Posted : Monday, October 05, 2009 2:25:28 AM(UTC)
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Joel:
Did the battery case swell? If so, check the output of the alternator on the genset. It may be putting out too much voltage.
Some maintenance free batteries actually have a safety valve that will vent off any excess gasses if overcharged.
Eventually, the acid level in the battery drops and exposes the lead plates. Next, you have a "China Syndrome" where the reduced surface area concentrates the charging and overheats and sulfates the plates which boils off more water, which reduces the surface area, etc. etc.

This happened to me last year with one of the 125 pound house batteries. I was sure happy I had it in a battery box. The battery was swelled and too hot to touch.

If your battery case doesn't show signs of swelling, then it's probably a defective case or a puncture.
Peter
1981 32' sedan bridge
twin Chrysler 360 cu. in. 250 hp engines
Raw water cooled
Nimbus II
Home port: New Buffalo, MI
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jralbert
#8 Posted : Monday, October 05, 2009 5:00:31 AM(UTC)
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Thnx for all the replies. No sign of battery case swelling. I will check voltage when I get it running again. Almost considered not replacing battery til spring but then remembered I need to winterize a running engine so it's off to West Marine. . . .after a stop at the supermarket for baking soda. Two boxes - one for the battery and a spare.
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
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