batteries a boiling!!! help

[yoder]

ok i just got a new onbaord bat charger minn kota MK210 10amp 5 amp per bat.. i have a 24 volt system ,two bats in a ser. now the manual says i dont need to unhook any wires to charge,but i hear my bats hissing.took off bat caps and yuppers they boiling..is this cool or no?? please help

 

[JB]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Not boiling. Electrolyzing. That is a normal result of charging a lead-acid battery.

 

[yoder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

ok thanks alot man.you rock

 

[jch7450]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Remember though that bubbleing is explosive gases, keep any sparks away from the battery when charging. Or they can and will go POOF!

 

[JB]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

What jch said. The gasses being released are hydrogen and oxygen.<br /><br />Charge only in a well ventilated place, because the tiniest spark added to a H-O mix goes BANG!

 

[yoder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

oh i know alll about that,thats why i was worried blow my car bat up in my face once trying to jump it ..i noow have glasses...

 

[jlinder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

It helps to be sure. Take a voltmeter across the battery while it is charging. A charged battery has 12.6 volts just sitting there. Start charging and it and look for 13.6 to 14.6 or so. I prefer the lower voltage - it charges the battery slower but more gently. <br /><br />And you don't want to leave it on a charger with a high voltage for a long time - you can overcharge and drastically shorten the life of the battery.

 

[koolerb]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

I don't think they should be boiling, or hissing. Rate of charge may be set too high. Are they getting hot?

 

[yoder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

yes hey do feel warm to the touch...

 

[jlinder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Warm means you are overcharging. When you charge the energy goes into changing the battery until the battery can hold no more. Then it goes into heat. When you heat it, you are shortening the life. <br /><br />Check the voltage.

 

[yoder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

but the chargers say still charging so this means i cant just leave them pluged in all the time??dam smart charger as dumb as i am..doh

 

[jlinder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

A smart charger is supposed to stop charging when the battery is full.<br /><br />Did you check the voltage? If a cell is shorted the voltage will stay low and the charger will continue to charge forever.

 

[koolerb]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Are there any controls on the charger, switches, etc?

 

[KaGee]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Ever think the charger is defective??

 

[jlinder]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

Could be. Don't know without voltabe measurements.<br /><br />How about taking the battery to any auto parts store for testing?

 

[bandit86]

Re: batteries a boiling!!! help

a cheap voltmeter/ohmmeter is a mechanics best friend. definately get one