I had the same thing happen to me as a teenager. I had a battery on bench charge and disconnected the alligator clamps before turning the charger off.
The hydrogen gass created from charging exploded. I am 59 years old and still have pieces of bakelite in my fingers.
NEVER charge a battery in the house, in a non-ventilated space, or near a gas water heater.
Needless to say, I ALWAYS turn my battery charger off before disconnecting the clips.
By the way, pulling the plug on the charger will not prevent the danger of arcing.. you must turn the charger off.
I always check a new charger to be sure that when in the off position there is no arcing between the clips.
Wes's sugestion for charging a battery in the vehicle is absolutely correct.
Bill
From: "Wes Sherman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: "Wes Sherman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] Battery Service Caution somewhat off topic, but important
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 11:52:05 -0600
What a great example! In my business I investigate this type of mishap. This is right out of the textbook. I think your analysis is right on target.A related suggestion is to use care when jump starting. One should always make the final connection to a vehicle chassis (not a battery terminal) away from either battery. Don't be near either battery (especially the discharged one) at the moment of contact. Conditions that cause jump starting tend to encourage this type of explosion. Of course, you have to know which battery terminal is connected to the chassis.Wes----- Original Message -----From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 10:43 PMSubject: [COUPERS-TECH] Battery Service Caution somewhat off topic, but important==============================================================================
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When charging batteries , etc., one should be very careful.While this battery was in my Tractor, not in my airplane ( thankfully), it exploded just as I pushed the starter button. I had used the tractor for several hours on the previous day. I preflighted the tractor, opened the fuel valve, climbed aboard, turned on the ignition, and pushed the starter button. BANG, like a shotgun. Acid sprayed everywhere, smoke swirled, and acid fumes almost overwhelmed me....Luckily the engine compartment cover was down and latched, and I had an old winter coat on....and instruments were in place in the panel, shielding my face from acid.On opening the engine compartment, acid was running everywhere. The explosion ripped the ground cable from the ground terminal, and as you see the battery shell exploded. The battery is mounted just behind the fuel tank. Again, no fire/explosion of gasoline...luck..What a mess.I had to find and install a different ground cable and an alternate battery before I could move the tractor close to a water source. There, I washed down the entire engine compartment, fuel tank, the backs of all instruments, and the entire surface areas of the tractor.And my face, and hands...Luckily, I was not burned by acid, tho my old coat was speckled with acid, making white spots, after washing.I have worked on autos, and airplanes for over 60 years, and this is the first time I have encountered a battery explosion. I suspect there was a faulty mounting electrical connection of the ground terminal to the plate structure inside the battery case, resulting in a spark when the starter was energized.Glad it was not in the Ercoupe !So, Be careful when boosting a battery, causing any spark. Hydrogen gas is very explosive.Fly Safe - Have FunHarry FrancisN93530
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