Battery Just Blew Up
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
As a Teenager in gas engines class we rebuilt a WWII Dodge Power Wagon Flathead Engine. When we went to start it the 6 Volt Battery was low so why not just jump start it with a 12V right ? When we hit the Starter the Battery Blew and we all jumped back. Them we walked up to see what happened and saw the Top of the battery was gone. About that time the top of the Battery landed next to Us. I have always wondered how High up that Top got !!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
I'm 47 also and I've only seen 2 blow and that was back in the 80s. Both where battery's that had been relocated into the trunk. I've been using Optimum battery's without any issues. They are designed to take a hi amp charge.
For most of my maintained batteries I have my battery tender tied into my garage lights. So it's only on when I'm in the garage. Usually comes out to 3 to 20 hours a week but I've never had a dead battery, nor have I had any over charge, boil of their water or have a battery blow.
For most of my maintained batteries I have my battery tender tied into my garage lights. So it's only on when I'm in the garage. Usually comes out to 3 to 20 hours a week but I've never had a dead battery, nor have I had any over charge, boil of their water or have a battery blow.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,769
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From: Simi Valley Ca. all the way to Shell Knob, Mo. A piece of heaven.
The battery was boiling, producing hydrogen gas that ignited.
So the possibilities I see are either the battery had a bad cell causing the tender to try to charge it and boiling the remaining cells, or the tender is bad.
I have a CTEK tender and it does detect a bad battery and stops charging.
So the possibilities I see are either the battery had a bad cell causing the tender to try to charge it and boiling the remaining cells, or the tender is bad.
I have a CTEK tender and it does detect a bad battery and stops charging.
I had a Harbor Freight tender as well connected to a battery on my Dodge. I didn't know it and it too had a bad cell. It was one heck of an explosion when it went. Moral to the story get a good tender that can detect issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 943
Likes: 73
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
As I am approaching the season where I put her to bed for 5-6 months, I always pull the battery out of the car for this very reason. I didn't do it the first year I owned the car, in the spring when I took the layers of covers off, the interior had a very metallic smell, battery hydrogen. I had mentioned that to guy I worked with who has several cars and he told me to never ever do that again. So I always pull the negative terminal off in the summer between rides and always pull the battery out when I store it.
If I'm not mistaken the original batteries were vented and a hose went out through the battery box floor
If I'm not mistaken the original batteries were vented and a hose went out through the battery box floor
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
I was out for a test cruise this afternoon in the C3 and as I was getting onto the freeway I heard a loud hissing sound behind me. It sounded like air out of an air compressor.
I pulled over thinking my rear tire had blown. Tire was ok, it was the battery. After about 5 seconds it quit, but was hot to the touch. I never shut the car off and everything seemed alright so I drove home.
I had noticed earlier that my ammeter was pegged at +40 instead of the normal 0 and then 0 to +40 when the radiator fans kicked on. The battery was hot to the touch for a quite a while after getting home. I guess it's time for a new battery.
The battery is an Optima yellow top that I have on a C-Tek 7200 charger almost all of the time on the AGM setting. Time to start a new battery maintenance program after reading some of these posts.
Glad to hear you're ok OP.
I pulled over thinking my rear tire had blown. Tire was ok, it was the battery. After about 5 seconds it quit, but was hot to the touch. I never shut the car off and everything seemed alright so I drove home.
I had noticed earlier that my ammeter was pegged at +40 instead of the normal 0 and then 0 to +40 when the radiator fans kicked on. The battery was hot to the touch for a quite a while after getting home. I guess it's time for a new battery.
The battery is an Optima yellow top that I have on a C-Tek 7200 charger almost all of the time on the AGM setting. Time to start a new battery maintenance program after reading some of these posts.
Glad to hear you're ok OP.
Last edited by Brass Pass; Oct 25, 2015 at 10:33 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
You may be right though. Something else could be going on. I'll find out when I get a new battery. I just removed the battery from the car and it's been 2.5 to 3 hours since I parked. It is still hot to the touch. I left it outside away from the house just in case.
Last edited by Brass Pass; Oct 25, 2015 at 11:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Overcharging
You may want to put a meter on the battery and the alt.with the car running. If you are getting more than 14.6 volts, your alt. may need to be rebuilt. If it is any early C-3, you may have a problem with your voltage regulator. Both can overcharge a battery. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
Even if the voltage regulator is the culprit I don't feel as though the battery I removed couldn't have escaped some type of thermal damage. I've had that battery since 2008, so it is probably time for a new yellow top anyways.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
Ok, I just installed a new Optima Yellow Top. Voltage reading was 12.6 before starting the car.
After starting the ammeter moved to the first unmarked line for a while then went back to the 0 mark. Before with the old battery it was hitting the +40 line and has been doing this for quite some time. I thought it was normal for it to do this under load.
With the radiator fans and A/C on and charging it goes to the first unmarked line and voltage at the battery reads 14.2 volts. I think my alternator is ok.
I have been having starting problems and I think the battery was the problem all along. I've checked every area I could find for vacuum leaks, changed plugs, wires, pertronix flamethrower ignition module, distributor cap, rotor and the ignition switch last month in order to get it to start the first time every time again and still had problems.
After the battery change it fires like it used to first time every time. Close call yesterday, but a blessing in disguise. I consider it $180.00 well spent.
After starting the ammeter moved to the first unmarked line for a while then went back to the 0 mark. Before with the old battery it was hitting the +40 line and has been doing this for quite some time. I thought it was normal for it to do this under load.
With the radiator fans and A/C on and charging it goes to the first unmarked line and voltage at the battery reads 14.2 volts. I think my alternator is ok.
I have been having starting problems and I think the battery was the problem all along. I've checked every area I could find for vacuum leaks, changed plugs, wires, pertronix flamethrower ignition module, distributor cap, rotor and the ignition switch last month in order to get it to start the first time every time again and still had problems.
After the battery change it fires like it used to first time every time. Close call yesterday, but a blessing in disguise. I consider it $180.00 well spent.