Is There A Need To Charge My Batteries

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Rickochet

Should I be noticing this smell? Also, is the gas explosive?

Yes and yes.

When batteries gas, they give off Hydrogen and Oxygen and small quantities of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are produced by these two gasses bubbling up through the diluted sulfuric acid electrolyte. It is the last two that have the rotten egg smell, the first two are odorless.

Both hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide are explosive when mixed with air in the right proportions and hydrogen sulfide is poisonous, however there would be little danger in the air volume of a single car garage, much less in a two car.

It isn't a good idea to use a lit match to check the water level in the batteries or cause a spark the moment you lift the seat while the batteries are on charge, but being lighter than air, trapped hydrogen disperses quickly once the seat is lifted.

When I work on my cart, the first thing I do is put on safety goggles and then lift the seat off. Then I gather my tools and stuff while it vents.