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Capt T
#1 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 12:13:10 AM(UTC)
Capt T

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d'oh! 12volts not my specialty kinda like electricity, I know enough to get myself killed. This is the second battery to explode in a month. of course being the cheap individual that I am they are reconditioned batteries. I've used them for years without any problems until now. Could this be the Converter thats installed cuasing this or do I need to just suck it up and buy new batteries ArghPray .
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Rick100
#2 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 2:24:12 AM(UTC)
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The two ways I have seen a battery explode are over charging caused by a failed alternator regulator and a dim bulb jumping a 6 volt with a 12volt. When a battery is charged at a voltage greater than about 15 volts and at a higher than normal currant it will gas off hydrogen and any small spark will cause it to explode into little pieces. When an alternator regulator fails in a way that causes the alternator to charge at full output 17 to 18 volts are produced at the output. Out put currant will depend on the size of the alternator but most of our boats had around 45 amp alternators as o e . A defective converter that is operating at full voltage and current (assuming it is also charging a battery) could do the same thing. I think most converter installations should bypass the batteries to operate the 12 volt systems. Over charged battery + hydrogen gas + even a small spark = big boom. Put a volt meter on the battery and monitor the voltage with the engine or the converter operating. You should never see more than 14.2 volts. One other possibility is a dead short but when this happens there will be smoke and a fire. Use full face and body protection when working around this problem. Rick
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fastjeff
#3 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 2:27:31 AM(UTC)
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I popped one years ago when jumping it from another car. Hydrogen gas plus a spark equals BOOM!

Jeff
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Capt T
#4 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 3:15:03 AM(UTC)
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Thanks for the input guys. These are exploding while at dock without the engines running. fortunately I was at the boat both times and was able to clean the mess up rather quickly ( I might add Nothing was on at these times). That's why I was curious about the AC converter. If my thinken is correct does this not function as a dual purpose battery charger and to help prevent an overload from the Alternator when running 12 volt items while motors are on?
1978 Aft Cabin
Twin Chrysler 440's
Fox Road Marina

My Father once told me "if you ever need a helping hand, just look to the end of your arm!"
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tundrarules
#5 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 9:48:00 AM(UTC)
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How many of you guys leave your batt charger on while away from the boat? I like to leave my batts at full charge, but not sure if I should leave the charger on while away.
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Capt T
#6 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 10:06:50 AM(UTC)
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Not talking Not me anymore. I am getting in the habit of turnning it on when I arrive at the boat from now on outDrool
1978 Aft Cabin
Twin Chrysler 440's
Fox Road Marina

My Father once told me "if you ever need a helping hand, just look to the end of your arm!"
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jralbert
#7 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 1:26:19 PM(UTC)
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No battery charging while away for me. I had cooked too many batteries this way with the older ferroresonant type but don't trust the "newer" one to behave well enuf.
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
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jimski2
#8 Posted : Sunday, June 13, 2010 10:49:54 PM(UTC)
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The temperature of an electric spark is aound 30,000 degrees F. More than enough to ignite anything that burns.
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bpboater
#9 Posted : Monday, June 14, 2010 1:46:39 AM(UTC)
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I keep my battery charger on a programmable timer. It charges 1.5 hours a day Monday through Thursday. On Friday, it charges from 1 pm till 10 pm to make sure I have a full charge before leaving the dock. On Sunday, it charges from 4 pm to midnight to replace the weekend use. I also have a DPDT switch so I can easily override the timer and run the battery charger full time for those weekends we don't leave the dock - it keeps the batteries at full charge for lighting, toilets, etc.

With this setup, my batteries don't overcharge and usually last 5 years.
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Docsnow
#10 Posted : Monday, June 14, 2010 4:24:08 AM(UTC)
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With this charger in pix I leave on 24/7 True Charge 20+ it turned on & off as Batt. require no
problem since 2002 my batt. Catch a lotta hell running the 4 down riggers up & down @ 50 amp after several hr. fishing when I come inshore all lights lite up for 2/3 hr than slowly recede to one lite on panel now these batt are 4yrs old I know I’m pushing it BUT. Hey BTW U guys with the exploding batt aren’t mixing them like Flooded, Gel, or AGM this will surely cause a problem.
Knock on wood I’ve never had that problem but it seems to me the batt trying to tell U something U might have a ignition spark problem causing a spark to set the batt gases off. I’d check for that before a bigger boom goes off like a leaky gas line.d'oh!

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Barkleydave
#11 Posted : Monday, June 14, 2010 5:15:35 AM(UTC)
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I have always used Marine below decks battery chargers dual bank. I have had one running since 1978! Now I have replaced them but no issues.

I leave boat in water year round. The charger goes to float and keeps batteries warm. If I were to have a leak develop the charger will more than keep up with the draw of the bilge pumps. I am not at the boat every day in the winter or the summer.

In my experience used high quality marine equipment and install properly. Make sure polarity is correct and elecrolite levels are maitained. Also good grounds and no loose connections. Batteries secured (I build vented would boxes for mine)

So far in 32 years no worries mate

dave
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fastjeff
#12 Posted : Monday, June 14, 2010 5:23:40 AM(UTC)
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Agreed. Hell, you gotta trust something! I worry more about a leak that draws down the batteries while running the bilge pump.

Jeff
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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dougrose
#13 Posted : Monday, June 14, 2010 11:02:18 AM(UTC)
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With the boat 1000 miles away I am not about to do without a charger. Any of the modern 3-step units should do fine without danger of overcharging.

I still have the ancient ferroresonant charger that I have had for years. It provides a float charge, but not the trickle that tops them off. I have a solar battery that provides a couple of amps to top them up. This is not as good as a modern charger, and I will get one when the funding permits....


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
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SORRYDOG2
#14 Posted : Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:00:24 AM(UTC)
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I lost track at some where around 2000 boats I have owned or sold years ago. If you ever see or are on Board a boat wHen the battery blows, it will scare te poopy out of you!! The sound is DEAFINING!! Sounds like a SHOTGUN WENT OF IN THE BOAT WITH YOU!! I staggered outside and sat on the gunnel to clear my ears and head. Another thing s the acid smell inside the boat. Learned my lesson when I opened the hatch and saw the shapnel from the battery casing inbedded in the underside of the plywood engine hatch!!! This accurs as stated above when the battery gets low on water, hydrogen gas fills the void, turn the key, the plates inside the battery spark and BOOM-POOPY ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!! I have seen 3 blow, one as Fastjeff did on my tractor, 2 on boats, last one about 15 years ago on a repo boat, where I foolishly hit the key without checking and the first back in the 70's while welding on the rear deck of a houseboat, where we had trow down a 4x8 ft sheet of plywood over the engine room rear deck. Soon as I struck an arc the spark blew me and him up in the air on the sheet of plywood and came down about a foot!!! POOPY--THESE CAN BE BOMBS!!! I DON'T WANT TO THINK IF IT BLEW YOUR FUEL TANK TOO!!! BE CAREFUL--SORRYDOG
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dougrose
#15 Posted : Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:17:41 AM(UTC)
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One of the reasons I use AGM batteries: no water, no hydrogen, no boom. If I ever see a boom on board, I want it to have a sail attached to it.....


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
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Capt T
#16 Posted : Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:31:26 AM(UTC)
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Speak to the hand Okay enough. I get the picture. Looks like this weekend project list just got longer, new charger and 3 Brand new Batteries. along with new refridge do in on Fri and new head for forward cabin. hope the weekend last longDrool
1978 Aft Cabin
Twin Chrysler 440's
Fox Road Marina

My Father once told me "if you ever need a helping hand, just look to the end of your arm!"
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fastjeff
#17 Posted : Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:20:15 PM(UTC)
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I hope your wallet "lasts long" enough!

Jeff
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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Capt T
#18 Posted : Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:37:51 PM(UTC)
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Boo hoo! I don't even carry a wallet anymore, Money never last long enough to make it there!d'oh!
1978 Aft Cabin
Twin Chrysler 440's
Fox Road Marina

My Father once told me "if you ever need a helping hand, just look to the end of your arm!"
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fastjeff
#19 Posted : Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:23:54 AM(UTC)
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My very good buddy keeps a wallet with a few bucks in it in one pocket, and a money clip with lots of money plus credit cards and license in another pocket. His theory is, should a pick pocket get his wallet, they won't get much. I worry, however, that a sharp-eyed pick pocket might know which of his pockets to pick!

Jeff
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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