batteries expelling hydrogen

SB77

So we woke up the other night at 2am to the carbon monoxide detectors going off, ADT calls, police and fire show up. They get us into the driveway and spend the next two hours trying to track down the source of the carbon monoxide. Turns out - it was the golf cart batteries. They were filling the house with hydrogen, and set off the carbon monoxide detectors. We have a bunch of standing pilot lights in the house, and kids had cousins spending the night, so there were six kids under 9 sleeping above the garage where cart was charging.

Since then we have been to afraid to charge the golf cart. The batteries came with the cart, off brand 2015. We are planning on getting new batteries and new charger, but how often does this happen and why?

BGW

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NCPW

That'a a part of the chemical process of charging lead acid batteries. You may have to move the cart to a well ventilated area to charge (i.e. outside) or it may be time to use this situation to convince the SWMBO it's time to invest in lithium (you know, for the sake of the kids )

scottyb

If you research wet cell batteries you will read that proper ventilation is required during their charging

scottyb

If you research wet cell batteries you will read that proper ventilation is required during the charging. Personally I charge everything outdoors.

SB77

Yeah I hear you. But everyone in my neighborhood has carts they charge in the garage. Do they create more hydrogen as they deteriorate?

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_ogre

open a window in the garage, bars over the window if you live in that kind of neighborhood :D
charging outside isn't an option in snow country, never heard of a house explosion from charging batteries

teecro

Off brand batteries from 2015 could be the extent of your problems, without further exploration you will not know. A charger that is faulty and not properly regulating could have caused your batteries to be overcharged, again without further testing you will not know. Have your batteries been well maintained meaning have you been keeping terminals clean tight and free from corrosion? Are your batteries kept watered or are the lead plates exposed? I've had a few charging related issues with my 5+ year old Crown batteries and in the end I find that despite my efforts most of my issues are due to letting the batteries get low on water, forgetting that as batteries age they end up using more and more water.

golf cart man

Your story sounds very similar to the one I posted a couple weeks ago at the link below. Make sure all your battery cells are at the proper water levels. I am in a neighborhood with over 1500 carts and we are having big problems recently with this.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gener...d-caution.html

nickdalzell1

I wouldn't convert to Lithium especially regarding safety as the reason.

Lithiums are even more explosive when they explode than a standard lead-acid battery. Google Tesla Craigslist fires, Galaxy Note 7. Those are only the most recent.

Lithiums require perfect cell balance and IMO a smarter owner than most I deal with in my small town. I cringe what might happen if a kid here rolls one over or gets hit by a truck or if people let them discharge over winter like they always do.

golf cart man

Your reasons are the same ones I found which is why I didn't choose lithium for my 2020 onward.