[ftp]

For two years now i've charged my battery every night by running an extension lead through the back doors of my van and left the charger on all night. I was watching the news this morning when the AA were telling viewers to remove the car battery when they charge it and to place it in the garage and leave the garage door open. This is because of the explosive gas a battery gives off. I just wondered if you guys realise the dangers of an exploding battery?

I have a tube on the battey vent running through the van floor to the outside.

[Kevin R]

Several years ago one exploded (motorcycle battery) in my kitchen. It did quite a lot of damage. The expelled acid burnt holes in almost everything.

Luckily I was out ( I was single then) and the insurance picked up the cost.

I always now make sure the battery is in a safe well ventilated place and I take all of the caps out before I start to charge.

They are pretty dangerous things - mine exploded due to a fault in the charger. 

[MSTAV]

mine is on charge about 3 ft from me. im getting worried now

[ftp]

I saw a car one explode once. Must admit i don't bother to unscrew the caps maybe i should.

[Kevin R]

I saw a car one explode once. Must admit i don't bother to unscrew the caps maybe i should.

If you dont take the caps out if the acid "boils" it will vent out of the side (vent tube) if its not blocked. If it does vent, acid will damage the surface its on, if it is blocked it will explode.

Good here aint it 

[matt]

mine is charging next to my 15 K campervan , i dont want to think of anything going wrong

[Kevin R]

mine is charging next to my 15 K campervan , i dont want to think of anything going wrong

if you could have seen my kitchen you would move it LOL 

[matt]

I saw a car one explode once. Must admit i don't bother to unscrew the caps maybe i should.

If you dont take the caps out if the acid "boils" it will vent out of the side (vent tube) if its not blocked. If it does vent, acid will damage the surface its on, if it is blocked it will explode.

Good here aint it 

what with the time bomb gas heaters

window cleaning seems to be becoming more and more dangerous

[ftp]

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/forklift/batteries.html

Plenty of information about.


What will NWH do now?

[Kevin R]

I saw a car one explode once. Must admit i don't bother to unscrew the caps maybe i should.

If you dont take the caps out if the acid "boils" it will vent out of the side (vent tube) if its not blocked. If it does vent, acid will damage the surface its on, if it is blocked it will explode.

Good here aint it 

what with the time bomb gas heaters

window cleaning seems to be becoming more and more dangerous

We safely removed the ladders and added explosives - still the most dangerous job eh? 

[matt]

mine is charging next to my 15 K campervan , i dont want to think of anything going wrong

if you could have seen my kitchen you would move it LOL 

when i dropped my old leisure battery and took it to the recycling center and " picked up " a old motorbike battery to see me though that day ( it last me allmost 1 years as it happens ) i used to charge it up outside the garage and put a pucket over the top of it to keep it dry, i didnt know the shape of the battery and thought i wouldnt take the risk

[Kevin R]

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/forklift/batteries.html

Plenty of information about.

"If the battery has been outside in cold weather, make sure that the battery is not frozen before recharging it."

I Didn't think of that!!

[matt]

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/forklift/batteries.html

Plenty of information about.

"If the battery has been outside in cold weather, make sure that the battery is not frozen before recharging it."

I Didn't think of that!!

wouldnt the heat of the plates getting warn thaw the ice though

[Kevin R]

mine is charging next to my 15 K campervan , i dont want to think of anything going wrong

if you could have seen my kitchen you would move it LOL 

when i dropped my old leisure battery and took it to the recycling center and " picked up " a old motorbike battery to see me though that day ( it last me allmost 1 years as it happens ) i used to charge it up outside the garage and put a pucket over the top of it to keep it dry, i didnt know the shape of the battery and thought i wouldnt take the risk

Sensible precaution as long as its well ventilated and there is no ignition source (turn off charger before unhooking the battery) that should be fine.  

[Kevin R]

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/forklift/batteries.html

Plenty of information about.

"If the battery has been outside in cold weather, make sure that the battery is not frozen before recharging it."

I Didn't think of that!!

wouldnt the heat of the plates getting warn thaw the ice though

dont know - just said that in FTP's link

[Kevin R]

Its getting a bit complicated this new fangled window cleaning malarkie!!!!