Battery Blew Up!!

super99

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

The battery blew up on my 1850 diesel last night. I got the Nh3 put on corn and then sprayed Liberty on it and cleaned out the sprayer. I backed it out of the way, shut tractor off and unhooked everything. I got on and hit the key, and it sounded like a gas tractor backfiring. Looked down and battery was smoking, caps were laying on the ground next to it and the side was gone. Had to hook 3 hoses together to reach far enough to wash acid off. Connections were tight. Last couple of times I started it, it seemed to turn over a little slow. It's supposed to have 2 6 volts hooked up to make 12 volts, but when I bought it, it had 1 12 volt setting on the step. When using it, the guage showed max charge all the time. Think I'll take the voltage regulator off, and have it checked before buying batteries and putting it back like it should be. 30 plus years, and this is a first and hopefully the last time that happens. Chris

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

At least you weren't standing there looking at it when it happened..... Good Luck.

 

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Allan in NE

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Oh yeah,

The first time you witness that, it shakes ya up a little, don't it? :>)

Think you have bad battery connections or a loose terminal somewhere close to that battery.

A gassing battery can't explode without a spark present.

Allan

 

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bradley martin

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

What's the reason for going crossways while sidedressing instead of following the rows?

 

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chevdud97

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

If a battery has an internal short. (two cells touching each other, from old age and alot of bumps) theres no need for a spark. It makes one internally. Been in the auto business for 12 years. Ive seen batterys with bulges sitting on the floor and an hour later BOOM...Acid everywhere. Parts people hate picking them up from the shop.

 

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Allan in NE

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Sure could be; haven't ever witnessed that one tho.

However, he said it blew when he hit the key. Can just about visualize that one. :>)

Allan

 

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OP

super99

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

The end rows are under the water behind tractor.

 

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JDknut

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

wow, good thing you werent looking at it at the time. Looks like it blew the cowl off, too, must have been quite a blast.

 

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W4

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

While driving an old Ford Mavrick to work one day ,I heard a loud BANG. Pulled over and checked to see if a tire blew. No problem,so I drove on to work. Two or three weeks later when I went to change the oil,I lifted the hood and the entire moter area was whiteor grey. The battery caps were all missing. I drove to a local repair shop thinking I would need a new battery. My favorite mechanic,Dewey in Fenton Mi. looked at the battery and said you drove it in here didnt you? I answered in the afirmative and he said lets just fill the battery cells back up with some acid and water and find you some old caps to replace the ones that blew off. I drove the Beast for another year and a half until I sold it. Go figure!! W-4

 

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Dave BN

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Thats why we have, or are supposed to have, battery boxs. Imagine that happening on my BN Farmall without a steel box to protect me. Dave

 

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paul

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Exciting, isn't it? Battery blew on my Ford 960. Hearing came back in about 5 seconds. The top of the battery was about 12 feet away.

--->Paul

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Hydrogen gas is a result of a battery charging. It doesn't take much to light it off. A starter solenoid will cause a spark. this hapened to me on a Ford Pinto the starter solenoid was right above the batt I had just charged, and starting it caused a spark. the battery top blew off. Your tractor may have been over charging. stan

 

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cj in wisconsin

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Have had 2 blow on me as a result of an internal short. Scares the heck out of a guy, one blew a bunch of plastic shrapnel into my arm, stings like heck, till you get all the acid washed off. Thats why you always should wear your glasses when near the battery.

 

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Bob

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

I'll bet most of them blow up due to an internal poor connection/"open" that makes a spark under load, or while charging.

 

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JDMAN60

Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

Had one blow up on a John Deere 60 once. Acid all over the back of my legs and the tractor, scared the bejebbies out of me.

 

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mike

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

had an old F600 w the battery in the cab under passenger floorboards.Hit starter button and the battery blew. made enough bang to crack the windshield.and my ears rang fer couple days....

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Jul 2, 2008

• #1

That kinda grabs your undivided attention right away doesn't it?? Good to hear no one was hurt........it doesn't always happen that way though..........

 

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smurph72

Member

• Jul 3, 2008

• #1

2 quick additions to the stories....

Old doctor that I used to work for had more junk equipment than the law should allow. We were always charging the battery for something in his shop. He moved a charger clamp without cutting power to the charger and set one off in his face one night. I saw him 2 days later and could almost read the print from the battery cap cut into his lip...BAD JUJU with that spark.

My uncle was Houston, TX police for about 15 years. His partner was adjusting the battery connections on their squad car with a nightstick because the car wouldn't start. What do you think happened next? KABOOM Uncle almost drowned his partner washing the acid off. He got lucky, no lasting damage and no eye problems.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Jul 3, 2008

• #1

Oh Ford Pinto, is there any way you don't blow up?