Battery Surprise

[outdoors4evr]

I had a very surprising experience when starting a Ferguson 35 on Friday. The tractor hadn't been started for a few months (I used it last in Feb to push snow), so I turned on the gas, pulled out the choke, turned on the key, shook hands with the shifter, stepped on the clutch with my left foot (right still on the ground) and bumped the starter button.
KABOOM! Sounded like a shotgun and the hood access door jumped about 1/4". Plastic Shrapnel and Battery acid started running down to the floor. Ears ringing.

The battery was about 10 years old, sealed unit and kept on a battery tender.
I've read the warning labels lead-acid on batteries that state "Explosions May Occur" but never experienced it before. Thankfully, the battery was under a secured hood and I didn't get any acid on me or hit by plastic shards. Pictures taken prior to cleanup. Also very glad the battery was secured.

Dragged tractor outside, battery removed (used pipe wrenches on battery posts to lift out) and rinsed with many gallons of water and baking soda solution. Wore safety glasses, gloves, and covered exposed skin during the cleanup.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-26-hw-3902-story.html
From the linked article: "Indeed, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that battery explosions in 1993 alone injured 2,280 people severely enough to have required hospital treatment."

Replace old batteries and keep them full of clean water!

[outdoors4evr]

Note: This battery is was 12v. The Fergie was converted to 12v negative ground in 2010. (notice the red cable goes to the chassis ground)

[Bob McCarty]

Glad you're okay, and hopefully the tractor is too.

[outdoors4evr]

I haven't put a new battery in it yet, but I am pretty sure I got the acid cleaned up quickly enough to save the wiring.

Now I am not so sure about the design of the 184 - having the battery under the seat. Maybe it is time I find one of those battery covers.

[tst]

this is more apt to happen with old batteries that are very weak

[Jim Becker]

Here is my battery explosion story, almost exactly 5 years ago. I have since gotten more enthusiastic about pulling old misbehaving batteries out of service.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=87751

[coppersmythe]

A guy I new pretty well had a battery blow up on him ( well , he blew the battery up ) . it did not take any detective work to find out why . he was charging the battery and decided to look into the holes for some reason , while a lit cigarette dangled from his mouth . Yes , I'm sure there was some alcohol involved . coppersmythe...................

[radioguy41]

The type of battery cable ends used are designed for temporary use only and not as a permanant repair/replacement. If you go to the Brillman website they actually correctly list them as "temporary", a fact many others fail to point out. What likely/possibly happened was the battery tender caused accumulated gases and the positive (judging by which end of the battery sustained the damage) cable connection sparked igniting the gases resulting in the explosion. My suggestion would be to replace those cables while replacing the battery or at the very least replace the ends with a better design such as linked below.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/car-maintenance/how-to-replace-battery-terminals/