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bighatnohorse's avatar
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2016

Exploded battery - why?


This battery was wired in parallel to it's twin. Water level was last checked 60 days ago.
This is in a 2014 Lance truck camper - I'm second owner and assume that this is the original equipment battery.

Apparently the battery exploded while I was traveling out of country.
The battery system was still working - it powered the slide-out and started the generator. During routine inspecting I discovered the damage. The battery voltage was charging at 13.1 and after the battery was removed it held a charge at 12.7 volts.

Also, after our last trip I found that the battery had become dislodged in it's tray - just slightly up ended on one side. (The batteries are not strapped down as OEM delivered.)

Could the battery have been damaged? Could it have boiled dry? What causes this?
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2016
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    My big worry would be where did all that acid go?


    x2. First thing I'd be doing is spraying/washing out any internal compartments with baking soda in an effort to neutralize the acid before it does damage.

    After that, I'd probably consider going AGM. Twice the price, but they can be tipped or run at virtually any angle without worry.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2016
    That looks like an internal failure. Typically, if an external dead short causes the top to blow, damage would be confined to one side. If the plate connectors short within the case, all bets are off as to what will happen.

    I'd suggest to take it back to an Interstate dealer and ask them what happened. Who knows, they may replace it.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2016
    bighatnohorse wrote:
    What causes this?

    A build up of hydrogen gas, and a spark did this.

    now why did it build up a load of gas? over charging? no venting? a rapid discharge? you will have to do the trouble shooting and tell us.

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