2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Help! Battery blew up

[HGDMARTN]

I just got home from a 100 mile trip this afternoon and shut my truck down for about 10 minutes. When I went out to crank it up, as soon as I hit the key I heard a loud pop and saw smoke from the hood. The drivers side battery blew up. Cracked the casing. What would have caused this? I put an old small battery in its place and truck cranked right back up with no apparent problems. While running I put a voltmeter on both batteries and got the following readings:

On old, small, probably discharged replacement battery I read 16. 5 volts. So I went to the other battery and got 14. 00 volts. Went back to the replacement battery and also now got 14. 00 volts. I went back and forth for a while now to both batteries and got 14. 0 consistently.

The battery that blew was an Interstate 850 CA that was 3 years old. The other one is an identical mate to it.

If I replace one, I assume I should replace both, correct?



Do I need to check anything else before I blow more batteries?



Any other advice appreciated.



Thanks,

David

 

[ecpeters]

Dave its my guess that you had low electrolyte levels in the battery cells of the battery that blew up. If the levels are low and the top of the plates are uncovered they can arch and ignite the gasses in the battery causing a explosion. they will arch when you crank over the truck. We have had this happen at work with standby diesel generators when the tech failed to check the electrolyte levels and keep them above the top of the plates in the battery. I do not know if is what happened to your battery but it is a strong possibility.

 

[bmoeller]

Yes, it is best to replace both at the same time.

 

[Hammer]

It also may have been a short if the fluid levels are full. The batteries nowadays seem to not withstand shock very well and it may have shaken itself apart inside to cause the short. I'd replace both to be safe,some may only do one. With multiple batteries I always replace them in sets,but,its your truck. Hope this helps... Andy

 

[mrander]

I have had this happen to me twice. Both with factory batteries.



The first time was on my first gen '89. Same thing, shut the truck off for a short time, went to start and the battery went. Battery was only about two years old.



Second time was on my '94. This time, the battery blew so bad that it dented the hood. I took the batteries to the Interstate dealer and after checking out the remains of the one that blew and the other one, he said the electrolyte was low and that was the cause. These batteries are supposed to be maintenance free.



Both times I replaced the batteries and didn't have any more trouble.



FYI, make sure you clean the area real good, if not it won't be long before rust appears.

 

[BreaksEverything]

FYI, make sure you clean the area real good, if not it won't be long before rust appears.



like he said above wash it out real good , use baking soda & water , & dont be shy w/ the baking soda

that acid will go too town on anything alluminum & eat it faster

than "me at a all you can eat sushi bar "