battery exploded

[Copperman61]

I was trying to start my '91 DS , luckily i had the seat down and the battery blew up . The top of the battery was in 2-3 large pieces. what would cause this ?

[CP241]

My guess is voltage regulator failed and has been overcharging the battery. Once you replace the battery rev the engine and check voltage at the battery. Shouldn’t go above about 14.5.

[Copperman61]

Thanks CP.

[Copperman61]

I meant to say that the motor has not run in a few months , and have had a battery charger/ monitor on the battery for a while .

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by Copperman61

I meant to say that the motor has not run in a few months , and have had a battery charger/ monitor on the battery for a while .

Did you maintain your water level while keeping this charger/monitor on it?

[Copperman61]

I did not . I only had the charger / monitor on the battery for a few weeks , never thought to check it. That wont happen again . Thanks.

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by Copperman61

I did not . I only had the charger / monitor on the battery for a few weeks , never thought to check it. That wont happen again . Thanks.

Unless the water was very low for awhile before throwing that charger/monitor on it still should not of blew the battery up unless you possibly had settings wrong on the charger/monitor as well.

[Copperman61]

settings are auto , automatically goes to 12V and shows current charge.

[scottyb]

Hydrogen gas is the explosive element in LA batteries. It is present during a charge but it needs an ignition source. It was charging or recently charged, cell space was filled with hydrogen gas and a spark was introduced by either a bad connection or a short.

[Copperman61]

Thanks Scotty .I must have a short somewhere , Pretty scary when a battery explodes - glad i had the seat down.