C3 Battery Explosion?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
C3 Battery Explosion?
So I saw this picture today, and it scared the crap out of me since the battery is behind my seat in my '78. Has anyone heard of a C3 battery exploding?
How can I make sure it doesn't happen?
When I bought it, the battery would die after a few days, so the used car guy said he would put a battery with a higher amperage in it. Doesn't die anymore. Is this proper, or is it dangerous to do that?
What should the battery meter on the dash read for normal conditions?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
When I bought it, the battery would die after a few days, so the used car guy said he would put a battery with a higher amperage in it. Doesn't die anymore. Is this proper, or is it dangerous to do that?
What should the battery meter on the dash read for normal conditions?
What should the battery meter on the dash read for normal conditions?
14 -/+ about .5 w/ engine running.
I have seen a battery explode when someone moved the jumper cables while the guy in the "dead" car was cranking the engine.
I have had a C3 since the 70s & am not worried.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
happens when theres a short between terminals
I don't recommend doing it but you can drop a wrench on the battery, connect the two terminals and it doesn't explode...ask me how I know.
I have had a voltage regulator fail and the battery was overcharging, when I shut down I could hear the acid boiling.
When I took the battery out the sides were bulging like a soda can left in the sun.
Welding or grinding next to a battery charging is also not a good idea..tell you one thing, watching a battery blow up is pretty impressive.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
The lead/acid batteries used in our cars contain sulphuric acid. When they are being charged, either from a charger or from the alternator while driving, hydrogen gas bubbles form in the acid and vent from the battery. If those fumes were to collect in a confined area you could have an explosion. Posssible? Yes. Likely? No. A dead short across the terminals could cause a melt down or a fire at least. If you are worried about it and want to sleep at night, have a cutoff switch installed as close to one of the battery terminals as possible. Make it accessible so it is easy to turn on and off. Many come with a handle you just turn one way or the other. Of course your clock will be off and your alarm will not work. But there are ways around that too. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Batteries generate Hydrogen gas as a byproduct of charge/discharge cycles. If poorly maintained, overcharged, allowed to sulfate and short internally, or if exposed to an ignition source like a loose terminal arc or somesuch the gasses can explode violently. This risk is minimized by keeping your battery fully charged, full of distilled water, clean and tied down securely. Cables and terminals of correct size and securely installed. If stored, consider a "battery tender" type float charger, check electrolyte levels monthly. Leave the compartment door open and if possible crack a window for ventilation. "Sealed", "Optima" or AGM spillproof batteries might make sense if their cost is not a deterrent. Or you can simply keep the battery out and away from your ride while it sits. Properly charged, well maintained batteries seldom fail catastrophically.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
*markids77 beat me to it 
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An explosion with fire associated was likely a gassing problem that was then ignited by spark. Batteries produce hydrogen gas.
Usually when batteries explode due to an internal short, in my experience, the explosion is more limited to blowing acid all over the place - if your compartment lid is in place, hopefully most of the acid would be contained & you'd just have a nasty mess to clean up.
Battery maintenance and a decent condition battery are a good defense against explosions. Also knowing what the causes can be --- i.e. overcharging, a battery low on acid has more room for gas buildup, jumpstarting, etc. Anytime the battery is gassing you don't want to have an ignition source nearby--- the ignition source can be you accidentally shorting the terminals with a wrench, or a bad battery connection arcing, removing or adjusting jumper cables, etc.
----------
An explosion with fire associated was likely a gassing problem that was then ignited by spark. Batteries produce hydrogen gas.
Usually when batteries explode due to an internal short, in my experience, the explosion is more limited to blowing acid all over the place - if your compartment lid is in place, hopefully most of the acid would be contained & you'd just have a nasty mess to clean up.
Battery maintenance and a decent condition battery are a good defense against explosions. Also knowing what the causes can be --- i.e. overcharging, a battery low on acid has more room for gas buildup, jumpstarting, etc. Anytime the battery is gassing you don't want to have an ignition source nearby--- the ignition source can be you accidentally shorting the terminals with a wrench, or a bad battery connection arcing, removing or adjusting jumper cables, etc.
Last edited by 86atc250r; Oct 16, 2009 at 08:42 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
had a battery blow up almost in my face while jumping my bosses truck.I told him the soliniod was bad and he jumped it at the solinoid and my face was blocked by the hood.I stood back and he hit the key.BOOM! very impressive.My boss blew up next.I laughed at him and he couldn't get mad at me.The truck driver even called him an idiot.lol.No one hurt was the good thing.Penny wise dollar foolish
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Back in high school a freind rebuilt an old dodge powerwagon with a 6 Volt system. When it wouldn't start we got the Bright Idea to jump it with a 12 Volt Battery. When he hit the key it Exspoded. We all jumped back and then went back to see what happened. At this point the battery Top landed about 10 feet away. I have always wondered jut how high it got to take that long to come back. An other reason to like an optima.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
I had a battery explode in my 67 and a 77 that I had. The 67 wouldnt start so I checked to see if the terminals were loose. As I tried to twist the terminal to see if was loose it exploded. I didnt twist hard at all. Probably shorted the plates inside. The 77 had a week battery and I was trying to get it to turn over. It was cranking slow putting a big load on a week battery. I tried it one more time and it blew up. That time it probably ignited the gases from battery from trying to start it. Lets say it was very loud in the car!!
