Back in the day, my mom told me you should not bring a battery in to charge it because if it can explode. The acid in it if the battery is faulty can explode it, is this true?
2007-09-15 05:37:19 · 5 answers · asked by Dianne L 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I want to prove a point, if this is true or not!
2007-09-15 05:42:35 · update #1
Automotive batteries are for the most part, lead acid batteries. When charging, the electrolytic acid in the batteries can emit equal parts hydrogen and oxygen. That's why they told you if you had vented batteries to remove the vents when charging, not to charge it in the vehicle, and not to connect the charger to the battery when the power was connected to the charger. A spark and you have a miniature version of the Hindenburg under your hood, (in your trunk for some BMW owners,) or, worse, in your face when you connect the terminals.
The same reason applies to the directions to connect jumper cables for jump starting to a negative ground at least one foot away from the battery. You don't want to make a spark around an explosive gas you can't see or smell, and trust me, with modern cars, there's usually a spark even when the cables are connected regardless of what's turned on or off in the car.
If you have a serviceable, (vented,) battery, make sure that the electrolyte in the cells of the battery is almost to the bottom of the service holes. If it's not, add distilled water to the electrolyte until it reaches that point. Keep some baking soda on hand in the event of a spill, (it will neutralize the acid,) make sure you've got eye and hand protection, and only charge batteries in a well ventilated space.
Good Luck,
JT
2007-09-15 05:56:35 · answer #1 · answered by jettech 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no, the acid is not what explodes, in Lead acid batteries such as car batteries, when the battery is charged it vents hydrogen gas this is why it is always best to charge a car battery inside the car so that you can connect you clamp the negative cable to the car body as opposed to the battery where a spark may trigger an explosion. Great care should be taken if charging a car battery outside of a car, even lighting a cigarette can be extremely dangerous because hydrogen is lighter then air and extremely combustible.
2007-09-15 12:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by silencetheevil8 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, battery acid gives off a gas that will ignite with a spark. The acid in the battery will produce more of this gas while it is being charged. A battery should only be charged in a well ventilated area or outside under some kind of shelter. Batterys should not be moved or disturbed in any way while they are charging. The bast charge to give a battery is a slow "trickle" charge of about 2 amps over the course of 24 to 48 hours.
2007-09-15 12:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by Gobyknows 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was in the army I was in charge of the battery shop I was taking a cable off 16 LARGE batteries all being charged by the same charger when the spark ignited the hydrogen gas pouring out of the top of the charged batteries and most of the 16 batteries were destroyed in the resulting explosion which sent bits of battery ricocheting of the airplane hanger roof and walls and raining them back down on me like bullets
YES they can explode
2007-09-15 19:04:43 · answer #4 · answered by Dreamweaver 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If battery over heats while charging, yes it could explode. Plus flumes from charging are also explosive. Always listen to your mother!!!
2007-09-15 12:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by gentleretiredworshipper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋