Battery Exploded!

[Galois]

Hey guys,

So my brother jumped in his '94 camry this morning and went to start the engine, only to cause a massive bang and steam to come from the engine bay. The battery had exploded, blowing one of its sides mostly off.

Any ideas what could have caused this?

Cheers

[Basti]

he connected the leads the wrong way round by accident?

[Galois]

the battery hasn't been touched since it was installed a couple of years ago, we live near a beach tho so maybe corrosion could be a contributor?

[mad082]

battery could've just let go, or been damaged by something, such as a dodgy alternator.

[Galois]

he just had the alternator replaced, does that give any help? sorry to ask, but im just interested in knowing, if the bonnet was open and/or someone was nearby they could have got a good splash of acid. also, want to avoid this ever happening to my car lol

[GTR-N1]

Just last month, the same thing happened...

http://ozfoz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&...xploded#p274957

I'd hate to imagine what could happen if your cranium was under the bonnet and you asked someone to start the donk >

OR...

would it be any less tragic for it to happen to my battery next to the petrol tank. > RIP

[ezy_09s]

Need to be a member to see that link terry..

Another good reason to go for a dry cell battery.

[grigor]

Happens more often than you'd think, mostly on machinery that has a rough ride. Trucks, earthmovers, tractors etc.

The connections from the posts to each cell deteriorates and eventually you get a weak link just waiting for you to hit the starter.

Big amps and a spark in an atmosphere with hydrogen makes short work of the battery case.

Lucky it was just a single battery.

Bigger machines have 24V with 4X6V batteries side by side, so when 1-blows it usually takes all the others with it.

Lots of acid..........................................

[NISSAN GTR]

here you go , the battery can crack down the side from being held by the bracket allowing gas to escape through the top seal , explosion caused by the gas mixed with air and the inrush current through the battery internally when starting . see it happen from now and then

[Duncan]

probably just usual toyota quality....he should think himself lucky the brakes work

[GTR-N1]

Need to be a member to see that link terry..

Apologies - just noticed the deja vu so soon after an '06 Forester battery went Kabooom

I wonder "grigor" if this is what can happen with boats too? = a combo of evaporated fuel + deteriorated connections to the cells (especially in salty air)?

[08yannch]

think of the ppl with EV's imagine if one of the batteries exploded it would be like a nuclear chain reaction

[GTR-N1]

Many Thanks "grigor" for a lengthy, informative and detailed PM