House batteries for a 2000 SMB

[wanderers]

Years ago, when I was in the Army reserve, in the maintenance platoon, my sergeant warned us to never try to charge a frozen battery because it would blow up. Did this happen after you started it and it was trying to charge? I've never seen it happen but this picture made me a believer. The charge must have been very low for it to freeze, though. The battery must have been shot already. Quite a mess though. If it was as loud as it looks to have been, I would have left a head shaped dent in the roof.

[arctictraveller]

I've seen this happen several times on boats and ships. My guess is that the battery ran out of water, causing thermal runaway. As it continues to try to charge it produces hydrogen gas, highly explosive stuff. Eventually it will heat up enough to reach the ignition (explosive) point. Make sure to clean up all the acid that was sprayed around the frame and mounting brackets or you will end up with severe corrosion in short order. Had the battery terminals shorted to something, there would be evidence of melted steel where ever the terminals touched the frame.

How batteries can explode - and how to avoid it - Yachting Monthly

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

That's scary. I second the vote for Batteries+ 4D made by East Penn (Deka). If you order online you get 20% off (It's a pop up offer on their site every time you log on).

Whoa. What was I thinking when I posted this. Too late to edit now so I have to do it this way.

It's 10% off, not 20. Still a decent discount.