I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and had a deep cycle battery explode last Saturday. I am looking for some thoughts or ideas of what may have been the cause.I was starting the engine and released the key a fraction of a second before the engine started. My error. I immediately turned the key again to start the engine and the battery connected to the positive cable exploded violently. It sounded like a backfire, but I had never heard a diesel backfire and didn't know what else to think until I got outside to do some other pre trip things and saw fluid leaking from the battery compartment. My first thought was diesel fuel since the fuel filter is just below the battery tray. I was suprised when I opened the compartment and saw the exploded battery.The batteries are a little over five years old and have been well maintained and performing as expected with no apparent issues.I'm open to any thoughts anyone may have before I repalce the whole group of four batteries and encounter the same thing again.

hipower wrote:I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and had a deep cycle battery explode last Saturday. I am looking for some thoughts or ideas of what may have been the cause.I was starting the engine and released the key a fraction of a second before the engine started. My error. I immediately turned the key again to start the engine and the battery connected to the positive cable exploded violently. It sounded like a backfire, but I had never heard a diesel backfire and didn't know what else to think until I got outside to do some other pre trip things and saw fluid leaking from the battery compartment. My first thought was diesel fuel since the fuel filter is just below the battery tray. I was suprised when I opened the compartment and saw the exploded battery.The batteries are a little over five years old and have been well maintained and performing as expected with no apparent issues.I'm open to any thoughts anyone may have before I repalce the whole group of four batteries and encounter the same thing again.Hipower, I don't know the answer but if I were you, I would switch to AGM's. That way, you don't have to worry about sulfating. I'm guessing the batteries 'outgassed' that caused the explosion which had to involve a spark. We had switched to AGM's on our previous coach (8 house batteries), I wish I had done it earlier. Filling the wet cell batteries with distilled water was not a big deal but cleaning the batteries and tray got old. I had to have the trays repainted twice.The AGM's were so much cleaner. They are not cheap but worth it if you are going to keep your coach for a while.Good luck and glad that you were not working in that compartment.MM.

Thanks MM. I'm also very glad that no one was standing infront of the compartment and it was open.Any idea what the current cost of the AGM's looks like?

My Deka AGMs, Made in the USA, cost about $200 each for the four in my coach. Lead acid batteries out gas hydrogen which is very explosive in the right concentrations.

rgatijnet1 wrote:My Deka AGMs, Made in the USA, cost about $200 each for the four in my coach. Lead acid batteries out gas hydrogen which is very explosive in the right concentrations.Thanks. I happen to deal with a local Deka dealer who is also a fairly good friend. Maybe I can twist his arm a little on price. :B

Hydrogen gas and a spark will do it. I had one explode while cranking a Suburban... almost bent the hood. I believe a cell shorting provides the spark.

Battery explosion | Good Sam Community

Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
hipower wrote:
I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and had a deep cycle battery explode last Saturday. I am looking for some thoughts or ideas of what may have been the cause.

I was starting the engine and released the key a fraction of a second before the engine started. My error. I immediately turned the key again to start the engine and the battery connected to the positive cable exploded violently. It sounded like a backfire, but I had never heard a diesel backfire and didn't know what else to think until I got outside to do some other pre trip things and saw fluid leaking from the battery compartment. My first thought was diesel fuel since the fuel filter is just below the battery tray. I was suprised when I opened the compartment and saw the exploded battery.

The batteries are a little over five years old and have been well maintained and performing as expected with no apparent issues.

I'm open to any thoughts anyone may have before I repalce the whole group of four batteries and encounter the same thing again.

Hipower, I don't know the answer but if I were you, I would switch to AGM's. That way, you don't have to worry about sulfating.

I'm guessing the batteries 'outgassed' that caused the explosion which had to involve a spark. We had switched to AGM's on our previous coach (8 house batteries), I wish I had done it earlier.

Filling the wet cell batteries with distilled water was not a big deal but cleaning the batteries and tray got old. I had to have the trays repainted twice.

The AGM's were so much cleaner. They are not cheap but worth it if you are going to keep your coach for a while.

Good luck and glad that you were not working in that compartment.

MM.

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