Battery exploded

[Ken]

My van battery, a deep cell marine battery, went dead when I didn't drive it for a few months.  I put a slow charger on it all day, disconnected the charger and, when I turned the ignition key to start, the battery exploded blowing the top off, breaking the case open and blowing acid all over.  I thoroughly washed every thing down with a garden hose.  I've charged that battery like that many times without any thing like that happening.  What the heck happened ?!!!!  I understand that oxygen and hydrogen can be produced from water with two electrodes but I've never heard of a battery exploding like that.  I'm wondering how I can be sure that won't happen again.  If the hood had been up and someone standing there that could have resulted in a serious injury.

[Ford_Dude]

Sounds like there was a loose plate in the battery and when you turned the key it made a spark and blew the battery. Might be worth checking the alternator and starter draw, but beyond that I wouldn't worry too much.
 Just wondering why you have a marine battery in a van.

Ford_Dude

[Ken]

>Just wondering why you have a marine battery in a van<  I have a deep cell marine battery because I use the van for camping and I power a rotisserie, a stereo and a computer with it.  I also have a propane furnace with a blower.

[nickb2]

Definatly a loose connection caused this. Nothing else short of a spark could do this. Clean bat posts inside surface before putting in new bat. Had one blow up next to me once while working on my skidoo clutch. Battery was charging on the other side of work bench and me hamering the springs out of the clutch at the other end. Vibration caused a spark and the damned thing blew to smitherines. Found the charger clamps at the other end of the shop and pieces of battery for months, not to mention going home in rags as the acid ate away at my work clothes as I was more concerned with rinsing my face and eyes at the time. I literaly was pulling my shirt of in shreds.
Man that was so long ago I'm still laughing at the experience and this also taught me a healthy fear of neglecting saftey issues when charging or boosting! Never charge a dead and empty batery with the charger plugged into the wall outlet. Always plug after setup so you are far from the battery when you initiate charging.

[shivam]

i think there was a loose plate in the battery and when key on it made a spark and blew in the battery.
i think you should use marine battery in a van..............