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

rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2015
hipower wrote:
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

Since they are made right in Pennsylvania I hope you can get a good deal. East Penn Manufacturing
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 24, 2015
Mr.Mark wrote:
jtessnm wrote:
You posted that the battery was a deep cycle battery, I assume that it is a house battery. The real question is, why would a house battery explode when starting the engine? The house battery is not used to start the engine unless the boost switch is used. You may have additional problems. JT

Just guessing, but the alternator on the engine will charge the house batteries along with the chassis batteries. I'm thinking that is part of the puzzle.

MM.

When you have any type electrolyte battery(sealed or deep cycle) that either is boiled and the plates exposed or dry and you put a charge current to it. THAT charge current is enough to ignite the excess gas in the battery and blow it up. When it exploded, did you have a gallon of battery acid all over the place? I will bet NOT, since the battery was dry or almost dry and you saw minimal fluid. Also, a loose connection at the battery bank (neg or Pos) will also cause a spark when a load is applied. Doug
RoyB
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2015
Has to be a spark somewhere to set off the out gassing. Might make sure the battery terminals are tight...

I guess I have been fortunate as the only time I was close to a battery explosion was back in the day when the gas stations would offer a quick one hour charge by sending a battery around 50VDC and having a capacity of a couple hundred amps of current available. This was the way batteries were charged way back then. This one blew the battery top up over the gas station and spewed battery acid everywhere..

When I was in the service you always had to have the batteries in a steel cage when being charged haha... Times changes everything...

Roy Ken
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
jtessnm wrote:
You posted that the battery was a deep cycle battery, I assume that it is a house battery. The real question is, why would a house battery explode when starting the engine? The house battery is not used to start the engine unless the boost switch is used. You may have additional problems. JT

Just guessing, but the alternator on the engine will charge the house batteries along with the chassis batteries. I'm thinking that is part of the puzzle.

MM.
jtessnm
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
You posted that the battery was a deep cycle battery, I assume that it is a house battery. The real question is, why would a house battery explode when starting the engine? The house battery is not used to start the engine unless the boost switch is used. You may have additional problems. JT
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
I too recommend AGMs....but the cost typically is 30-50% higher.
That's not too bad in the long run as they tend to last up to 100% longer.

An "outgassing" explosion tends to happen right after a battery is heavily charged. There will be no "gassing" just sitting there or during discharge.

An explosion that happens during heavy discharge often is due to heat generated by a shorted cell.....or two.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2015
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.
hipower
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
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
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2015
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.
hipower
Explorer
Aug 24, 2015
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?

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