Ski in NC
Technical Guru
So I am in my shop trying to clean it up a bit. I have an 8kW Kubota gennie that is the hurricane gennie for the shop and nearby house. While in there I figure crank it up and let it churn its juices a bit. Last time I ran it was about a month ago.
Preheat it for 15sec, hit start and rrr-rrr-rrr-BANG!! Battery right next to it (and 3' from me) blew apart. Top in pieces all over, side blew out, acid all over the place. I got spattered a little bit, and went straight to the shower and laundry in the machine. I was not injured, none in my eyes, but could feel irritation on scalp (about half bald), face and hands. Had my glasses on, that was a good thing. Ears still ringing from the very sharp bang. As loud as firing a shotgun without ear muffs.
I knew the batt was a little weak as it was a grp 31 deep cycle that was becoming too weak in the boat. But it started the gennie ok (barely of late). Figure an arc between plates lit off hydrogen. It was on a battery tender.
So be careful with batteries!!
I am lucky, but still have a mess to clean up.
DJMarchand- Being our resident chem engr, any advice to clean this acid up? Figure I need a base. Figure a gallon of water with a pound of baking soda mixed in and then wipe everything down? Sprinkle the stuff all over then wipe up?
It got on the concrete, on the side of the genny and a nearby plasma cutter and tig welder.
Third battery explosion I have been involved with in last 15yrs. Not sure I like batteries any more.
Preheat it for 15sec, hit start and rrr-rrr-rrr-BANG!! Battery right next to it (and 3' from me) blew apart. Top in pieces all over, side blew out, acid all over the place. I got spattered a little bit, and went straight to the shower and laundry in the machine. I was not injured, none in my eyes, but could feel irritation on scalp (about half bald), face and hands. Had my glasses on, that was a good thing. Ears still ringing from the very sharp bang. As loud as firing a shotgun without ear muffs.
I knew the batt was a little weak as it was a grp 31 deep cycle that was becoming too weak in the boat. But it started the gennie ok (barely of late). Figure an arc between plates lit off hydrogen. It was on a battery tender.
So be careful with batteries!!
I am lucky, but still have a mess to clean up.
DJMarchand- Being our resident chem engr, any advice to clean this acid up? Figure I need a base. Figure a gallon of water with a pound of baking soda mixed in and then wipe everything down? Sprinkle the stuff all over then wipe up?
It got on the concrete, on the side of the genny and a nearby plasma cutter and tig welder.
Third battery explosion I have been involved with in last 15yrs. Not sure I like batteries any more.