Is it safe?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 282
From: Back in Nebraska
Is it safe?
I’ve always been told that when charging a battery to do it in a ventilated area. I have a Battery Tender Jr. and have it charging with a car cover over the car. Should I only use the Tender with the cover off?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 282
From: Back in Nebraska
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
Hydrogen gas is pretty explosive. In my chemistry class, the professor filled some small balloons with hydrogen gas and tied them with string so they were floating around the auditorium when we unknowingly walked into class. As the lecture progressed, he tied a candle to the end of a long stick and proceeded to punctuate the lecture by lighting off one of the balloons, nobody fell asleep during class that day! The gas has to be pretty concentrated to go off like that, but why take the chance?
Smoking is always out of the question.
Smoking is always out of the question.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
I doubt there's hardly any hydrogen gas produced by a battery maintainer (like my CTEK 3300).
Anyway, even if a small amount is produced, it's lighter than air and will quickly disperse upward thru the car cover.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,437
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From: Bucks Co. / outside Philadelphia PA
Even though the risk is low, the permanent damage that can be caused makes it worth taking simple precautions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,250
Likes: 6
From: Glassboro New Jersey
There should be no risk with a battery tender. It is a slow, low amp charge.
It's a good practice to never connect to your battery when the charger is on to avoid any arcing.
A regular battery charger produces hydrogen gases at a higher charging rate. That should absolutely be done in a ventilated area. I have personally seen several batteries explode in my 22 years at a dealership.
It's a good practice to never connect to your battery when the charger is on to avoid any arcing.
A regular battery charger produces hydrogen gases at a higher charging rate. That should absolutely be done in a ventilated area. I have personally seen several batteries explode in my 22 years at a dealership.
Last edited by Marc V.; Mar 1, 2012 at 09:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
There should be no risk with a battery tender. It is a slow, low amp charge.
It's a good practice to never connect to your battery when the charger is on to avoid any arcing.
A regular battery charger produces hydrogen gases at a higher charging rate. That should absolutely be done in a ventilated area. I have personally seen several batteries explode in my 22 years at a dealership.
It's a good practice to never connect to your battery when the charger is on to avoid any arcing.
A regular battery charger produces hydrogen gases at a higher charging rate. That should absolutely be done in a ventilated area. I have personally seen several batteries explode in my 22 years at a dealership.
Your tender provides a slow, low amp charge over a long period. Don't confuse that with a charger.
