another one for the battery experts- H2S gas

Ray IN · Mar 28, 2017

I was using the old dump truck today and started smelling something strange. The battery was venting a gas out the top and I think it smelled like hydrogen sulfide. It was really hissing out and scared me away from it. Is it overcharging, or what?

Dune Country · Mar 28, 2017

could be overcharging or shorte internally, be careful of that gas HIGHLY explosive......don't ask

Glen SW Wi · Mar 28, 2017

Worse yet it will turn off you breathing if you are exposed to it long enough. When I worked for Union Oil Research on the catalytic cracking process to produce gasoline we would treat the new pellets (platinum based) with hydrogen sulfide gas to slow down the reaction. One night I looked down the way to see the feet of the guy running the smaller unit. He had been overcome by the hydrogen sulfide gas. I dragged him outside to the fresh air and he fully recovered.

RBoots · Mar 28, 2017

I think that's the same gas that we encounter when I load tack at the asphalt plant. Have to wear gas exposure meters on our collars.

Leroy · Mar 28, 2017

So what should you if that happens. Just shut the engine off and get away for a time or what? And how long will it be dangerous?

Dune Country · Mar 28, 2017

Overnight would be ideal, if still outgassing you will smell it, it's outside , right?

Steve@Advance · Mar 28, 2017

It could be over charging, could be shorted internally, or shorted externally.

You were wise to get away from it. Any spark can cause it to explode!

If you will leave it alone, it will discharge if shorted, or cool down if it was overcharging. I would wait until tomorrow just to be sure. Then it will be safe to check it.

If it is dead, disconnect it and see if it will take a charge. If it starts boiling on slow charge, it is a bad battery. If it charges normally, and holds a charge, could be something major shorted on the truck. You should see melted battery cables, something would have gotten hot for there to be that much battery drain.

If all looks well, once it is started, check the charging voltage. It should be around 14.5 volts with the engine up off idle. If it's up around 17v or higher, there is a problem with the regulator or wiring.

If you do find the charging system was overcharging, the battery is probably damaged and will soon fail. Same with the alternator, it would have gotten extremely hot to have done that to the battery.

derwen1959 · Mar 28, 2017

if you are going to remove battery please wear safety goggles

Steve@Advance · Mar 28, 2017

Leroy, yes, shut it off and get away!

The scariest situation is when there is an electrical short. The wires are smoking, the battery is gassing, and you're faced with the decision to remove a cable or let it burn!

The safest thing would be to cut a battery cable as far from the battery as possible. Shield your self if possible, be prepared that it just might blow!

But if nothing is smoking, once it is off it will eventually settle down. If shorted, the battery will slowly discharge. The time will depend on the condition of the battery and the amount of drain.

If overcharging, once shut off it will begin to cool and stabilize.

The object is to not supply any source of ignition, weather it be from disconnecting a cable, moving any connections, disturbing it in any fashion. If the battery is shorted internally, it could spark internally without warning, especially if the posts are stressed, or jumper cables are used.

Sam the Man · Mar 28, 2017

I would say that the battery is overcharging and getting hot. It should vent out as it sits over night. The battery will probably be low on acid also. I would put baking soda on it and hose it off. I have personally seen overcharged battery's blow. It will scare your last meal out your paints.

another one for the battery experts- H2S gas

Ray IN

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Dune Country

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Glen SW Wi

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RBoots

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Leroy

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Dune Country

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Steve@Advance

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derwen1959

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Steve@Advance

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Sam the Man

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