OT Car Battery Explodes

Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3 volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Gerhard wrote:

Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3 volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.


Plugged vents?

"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

"tm" <the_obamunist_at_whitehouse.gov> wrote:


"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

I agree. Car batteries may explode when shorted. Maybe its just a
manufacturing defect.

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:40:30 GMT, nico_at_puntnl.niks (Nico Coesel)
wrote:

"tm" <the_obamunist_at_whitehouse.gov> wrote:


"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

I agree. Car batteries may explode when shorted. Maybe its just a
manufacturing defect.

I've had single cell shorts. Gradual failure... slow cranking. No
explosions, ever, and I've been driving for 55 years.

It's possible that the issue is actually starter related... maybe a
shorted starter or solenoid.

That will sure blown a battery apart, not from hydrogen, but simply
steam pressure

...Jim Thompson

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:48:10 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:40:30 GMT, nico_at_puntnl.niks (Nico Coesel)
wrote:

"tm" <the_obamunist_at_whitehouse.gov> wrote:


"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts
is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped
up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking
soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some
baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray
the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made
it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

I agree. Car batteries may explode when shorted. Maybe its just a
manufacturing defect.

I've had single cell shorts. Gradual failure... slow cranking. No
explosions, ever, and I've been driving for 55 years.

It's possible that the issue is actually starter related... maybe a
shorted starter or solenoid.

That will sure blown a battery apart, not from hydrogen, but simply
steam pressure :-)

...Jim Thompson

Actually, I HAVE blown a battery... struck a match to a vent port one
time to demonstrate that, according to a recent Chem 5.001 (MIT, 1959)
lecture, the mix would burn, but not explode.

It blew... I still retain the tinnitus :-)

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:32:45 -0700, Winston<Winston_at_bigbrother.net
wrote:

On 9/2/2010 7:51 AM, John Fields wrote:
On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:16:37 -0700, Winston<Winston_at_bigbrother.net
wrote:

Baking soda (or any base) that inadvertently falls into any
battery cell will tend to neutralize the acid in that cell,
making the battery unsuitable for further use.

---
As I understand it, most battery caps (when tightened down, as they
should be) provide no direct access to the electrolyte.

Consequently, baking soda dropped on them will fizz for a while until
the acid on the cap is neutralized, but that's about all.

In addition:

http://www.uwsa.edu/oslp/em/compliance/battery_leadacid.htm

recommends:

"Wash and clean the battery, battery terminals, and case or tray with
water. The corrosive acid can be neutralized by brushing on some
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) solution. If the solution does not
bubble, the acid is probably neutralized. Rinse the battery with water
to remove the baking soda solution."

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:07:13 -0400, "Michael A. Terrell"
mike.terrell_at_earthlink.net> wrote:


Gerhard wrote:

Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3 volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.


Plugged vents?

One of those wonderful "sealed" batteries?

"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote in
message news:bhsv7659ppvp5taig41ipq44p7qbcrjria_at_4ax.com...
On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:48:10 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:40:30 GMT, nico_at_puntnl.niks (Nico Coesel)
wrote:

"tm" <the_obamunist_at_whitehouse.gov> wrote:


"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts
is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped
up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking
soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some
baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray
the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made
it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

I agree. Car batteries may explode when shorted. Maybe its just a
manufacturing defect.

I've had single cell shorts. Gradual failure... slow cranking. No
explosions, ever, and I've been driving for 55 years.

It's possible that the issue is actually starter related... maybe a
shorted starter or solenoid.

That will sure blown a battery apart, not from hydrogen, but simply
steam pressure :-)

...Jim Thompson

Actually, I HAVE blown a battery... struck a match to a vent port one
time to demonstrate that, according to a recent Chem 5.001 (MIT, 1959)
lecture, the mix would burn, but not explode.

It blew... I still retain the tinnitus :-)


That was preceded with the "hey y'all, watch this" statement, right?

The OP also mentioned that the battery box was non-stock and the battery
was not secure. Maybe it shifted enough to allow the battery to short out.

I any event, a close look is called for.

tm

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news_at_netfront.net ---

tm wrote:

"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote in
message news:bhsv7659ppvp5taig41ipq44p7qbcrjria_at_4ax.com...
On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:48:10 -0700, Jim Thompson
To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon_at_On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:40:30 GMT, nico_at_puntnl.niks (Nico Coesel)
wrote:

"tm" <the_obamunist_at_whitehouse.gov> wrote:


"Gerhard" <gvdberg_at_risccsir.co.za> wrote in message
news:1283443034.527484_at_vasbyt.isdsl.net...

"J.A. Legris" <jalegris_at_sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:6e1cd7bf-9f51-4534-87bb-d0c89f9f83b9_at_a36g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 2, 5:53 am, Robert Baer <robertb...@localnet.com> wrote:
Gerhard wrote:
Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed
the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts
is
quite
OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped
up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

The explosion was due to hydrogen around the battery, plus an
igniting spark.
The presence of hydrogen indicated that the battery had been
(recently) charged.
Some kind of loose connection created that igniting spark on startup.
The car may have been parked for 2 hours, but that hydrogen is
non-mute testimony of the battery had been charged.

How can free hydrogen "around" the battery blow the end panel out? The
over-pressure arose on the inside on the battery. I would second the
opinion that the electrolyte level was low.

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.
--
Joe

I pitched at the scene about 20 mins later with two boxes of baking
soda
(250gm each) form the chemist. We pushed the car out of the garage
onto the driveway for a good hose down of the engine compartment.

After I removed the battery, the engine and panels had a thorough hose
down for about 5 to 10 minutes. At one stage, I did sprinkle some
baking
soda into some of the areas below and around the battery where I
worried about some ingress of acid into joints. Will pressure spray
the
engine compartment from top and bottom over the weekend.
No service centre was involved.

We then proceeded to neutralise the acid pool on the concrete garage
floor.
Use the two boxes plus some we had at home. Moped up the mess
and then washed the area twice using some water and baking soda.

Then I dashed off to the battery shop to get a replacement - just made
it
before clossing. Set me back about $100.

The electrolyte level might have been low, but I doubt it. The battery
performed well through cold spells a couple of weeks before.
Bad starting performance is usually the first sign of low electrolyte
levels.

For those interested - location South Africa - temperature was +-20C
Spring has arrived.

Gerhard van den Berg





You might look carefully for a short circuit on the positive lead
to the chassis. That would be my best guess.

I agree. Car batteries may explode when shorted. Maybe its just a
manufacturing defect.

I've had single cell shorts. Gradual failure... slow cranking. No
explosions, ever, and I've been driving for 55 years.

It's possible that the issue is actually starter related... maybe a
shorted starter or solenoid.

That will sure blown a battery apart, not from hydrogen, but simply
steam pressure :-)

...Jim Thompson

Actually, I HAVE blown a battery... struck a match to a vent port one
time to demonstrate that, according to a recent Chem 5.001 (MIT, 1959)
lecture, the mix would burn, but not explode.

It blew... I still retain the tinnitus :-)


That was preceded with the "hey y'all, watch this" statement, right?

The OP also mentioned that the battery box was non-stock and the battery
was not secure. Maybe it shifted enough to allow the battery to short out.


After sitting for two hours?


I any event, a close look is called for.

tm

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news_at_netfront.net ---

Actually, I HAVE blown a battery... struck a match to a vent port one
time to demonstrate that, according to a recent Chem 5.001 (MIT, 1959)
lecture, the mix would burn, but not explode.

It blew... I still retain the tinnitus

...Jim Thompson
---

On Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:16:37 -0700, Winston<Winston_at_bigbrother.net
wrote:

On 9/2/2010 5:27 AM, J.A. Legris wrote:

(...)

By the way, did anyone bother to neutralize the spilled acid inside
the engine compartment? All surfaces were possibly contaminated. Rinse
them with water, then a baking soda/water solution and then more water
to prevent widespread corrosion. Don't trust the service guys to do it
- they don't have any baking soda.

But keep the baking soda *away* from your nice new battery!

--Winston

Bottles of "soda water" work nicely, and leave little residue.

...Jim Thompson

Yesterday my wife's Toyota Corolla had a battery moment.

When she started the car, after it had been parked it for about two
hours,
there was a loud explosion.

The results of the battery's side splitting event can be viewed at

ftp://ftp.meraka.csir.co.za/pub/in/Battery_Explode/

The battery centre suggested it was possibly over charged. After I
installed the
new battery I measured a charging voltage of between 14.2 and 14.3
volts -
depending on the engine refs.

According to my knowledge a charging voltage of 14.2 to 14.3 volts is
quite OK
for a charged car battery.

Any suggestions why the battery exploded.
The battery showed no signs of failing before the event, so I doubt
that the battery level was low as someone suggested. I also topped up
the
battery with distilled water about 3 months ago.

Regards

Gerhard van den Berg

Wasn't it stated it blew during a start attempt?

If by "soda water" you mean the fizzy drinkable stuff, then you should be aware that it is mostly water containing carbon dioxide under ( low ) pressure. That is a weak acid, and not terribly useful in neutralising another acid.