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08-24-2010, 01:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 725
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12v Battery Explosion
While checking the electrolyte level of the four 12v Trojan house batteries in our 98 DSDP today I experienced a hydrogen gas explosion. Neither the MH or I was injured, but the battery was dead at the scene.
I had the coach plugged into shore power, so the batteries were being charged which produces hydrogen gas. DAHHHHHHHH! When I disconnected the positive battery cable from the #3 battery so as to get the cap completely off so I could check the fluid level, there was a spark, then a loud explosion! The explosion pretty much ripped the top of the battery case off but the acid stayed in the battery.
From now on when messing with lead acid batteries I'll make certain the batteries aren't being charged, I'll be wearing a face shield, and have a fan blowing across the batteries.
I was lucky.
Be Careful Out There
Don
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08-24-2010, 01:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 267
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You where lucky for sure!!
After you change your underwear, I would strongly suggest going out to buy some lottery tickets!
Glad you are ok.
__________________
Ray, Sandra, and Zorro
2009 Safari Simba 34SBD
Workhorse (Of Course!)
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08-24-2010, 07:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,971
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You are indeed quite lucky! Sulfuric Acid will cause blindness, there is no antidote; lots of clean water, applied in time, may reduce the degree of blindness.
With all the constant-draw accessories in modern vehicles, I always wear eye protection (goggles) when servicing batteries.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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08-24-2010, 08:19 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 71
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Disconnect the ground first and there will be no sparks.
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08-25-2010, 08:18 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mesa, AZ USA
Posts: 1,806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by al_mers
Disconnect the ground first and there will be no sparks.
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There is as much current flowing in the ground lead as there is in the plus lead. Disconnecting the ground reduces the liklihood of shorting the battery. But it does not reduce sparks on disconnect.
__________________
Wretched excess is just barely enough.
2002 Itasca Suncruiser - WH Chassis - 35U - 2006 Jeep Liberty
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08-25-2010, 09:29 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 71
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hamguy, I am not an electrical engineer, but I have never noticed a spark on tractors, boats, cars or RVs that I've owned when disconnecting the negative first. It may be because I've removed the load first.
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08-26-2010, 08:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mesa, AZ USA
Posts: 1,806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by al_mers
hamguy, I am not an electrical engineer, but I have never noticed a spark on tractors, boats, cars or RVs that I've owned when disconnecting the negative first. It may be because I've removed the load first.
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Correct. It is the load that causes the spark on disc. Same would apply if you disconnected the positive first.
__________________
Wretched excess is just barely enough.
2002 Itasca Suncruiser - WH Chassis - 35U - 2006 Jeep Liberty
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08-27-2010, 03:05 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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In this case the load was the battery bank. Shore and generator power must be removed to prevent the inverter/charger or converter/charger from producing current to the battery bank. Also killing any other loads feeding from the battery, as noted above is crucial to preventing any arching upon cable removal from battery posts.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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