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optima battery boiling [message #266366] Wed, 19 November 2014 12:07 Go to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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Location: St. Cloud, MN
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first, this is non-gmc, but could be related.

We have a fiber splicing trailer, that we use at work, and it has a ELX-45 converter/charger. It does state that it should "realize full charge" and switch to maintence mode.

this trailer was put together a year ago, and at that time they put a brand new blue top optima battery in it. I am not sure of it's use since then, but I am thinking about zero. Just been sitting.

I pulled it into the shop, and checked voltage on battery and it registered only a couple volts. I then plugged in the converter/charger, and let it sit overnight...

I came in today to a Major boil over on that Optima battery, it was burning hot, hissing loudly out of the vent, and was obviously pressurized bad. after jumping back, and running at first(scared the crap out of me, It looked like it should of blown up right there). I unplugged the power tot he camper, got it pulled outdoors. and let it sit to cool.(it is 20 degrees out)

Now I read on google, that the optima's do not like a quick charge from dead... so that converter was probably pushing lots of amps right out of the gate. and that might be the problem, or the battery was just bad.

anybody run into a similar issue charging optimas from dead?


FYI, battery has cooled, and is being exchanged. but I am not sure I will put it back into this camper, I will probably go with a traditional lead cell 12RV deep cycle battery. Need to figure out a better way to keep the battery and camper ready to go



Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266367 is a reply to message #266366] Wed, 19 November 2014 13:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
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The charger MUST be one that can be set for AGM batteries.

If the Optima was THAT dead, your RV has a parasitic drain of some sort such as a propane and/or CO alarm!

Mac in OKC
"the Money Pit"

Sent from my iPhon



On Nov 19, 2014, at 12:29, Jon Roche wrote:

first, this is non-gmc, but could be related.

We have a fiber splicing trailer, that we use at work, and it has a ELX-45 converter/charger. It does state that it should "realize full charge"
and switch to maintence mode.

this trailer was put together a year ago, and at that time they put a brand new blue top optima battery in it. I am not sure of it's use since
then, but I am thinking about zero. Just been sitting.

I pulled it into the shop, and checked voltage on battery and it registered only a couple volts. I then plugged in the converter/charger, and let it
sit overnight...

I came in today to a Major boil over on that Optima battery, it was burning hot, hissing loudly out of the vent, and was obviously pressurized bad.
after jumping back, and running at first(scared the crap out of me, It looked like it should of blown up right there). I unplugged the power tot he
camper, got it pulled outdoors. and let it sit to cool.(it is 20 degrees out)

Now I read on google, that the optima's do not like a quick charge from dead... so that converter was probably pushing lots of amps right out of the
gate. and that might be the problem, or the battery was just bad.

anybody run into a similar issue charging optimas from dead?


FYI, battery has cooled, and is being exchanged. but I am not sure I will put it back into this camper, I will probably go with a traditional lead
cell 12RV deep cycle battery. Need to figure out a better way to keep the battery and camper ready to go


--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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Re: optima battery boiling [message #266368 is a reply to message #266366] Wed, 19 November 2014 13:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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A couple of things could have happened.

1. A cell was shorted and that placed an over voltage condition on the remaining 5 cells.

2. Whatever you are using to charge the battery is charging at a rate in excess of 14.3 volts.


I would replace the battery and then put a maintenance charger on it for the long term. A maintenance charger will put out 13.2 to 13.3 volts and keep it charged with out destroying it.

In the future look at the battery with a volt meter to determine what is happening. Without a charger attached it will tell you the current state of charge. With a charger attached it will tell you whether you are fast, normal, or maintenance charging the battery.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266369 is a reply to message #266366] Wed, 19 November 2014 14:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
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The cause of the dead battery is a moot point now. This is a truck/pickup camper sort of combo, that we setup in sept. of 2013, and it only has 1800 miles on it since then. so I just need to think from scratch for now moving forward.

I am tossing that optima battery, with is a shame, because it still has a warranty(2 years free replacement), but you need receipt, witch we cannot seem to have any record of.

at this point, waiting for supplier to bring me a 12volt RV/Deep cycle battery, and I have some voltage meters, like Eugene recommends, so charge status can easily be checked, and will just keep an eye on it, and make sure someone checks more often then yearly.

our other trailers i put solar power in, but I am hesitant on this one, because it stays inside all the time at this point.


Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

[Updated on: Wed, 19 November 2014 19:22]

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Re: optima battery boiling [message #266370 is a reply to message #266369] Wed, 19 November 2014 14:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Neil is currently offline  Neil   United States
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I have a red Optimus battery in my off road car. They will internally self destruct if presented with the initial high voltage that "smart chargers" apply to a lead/acid battery. This was a lesson learned the hard way for me. .

Neil
76 Eleganza now sold
Los Angeles
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266371 is a reply to message #266366] Wed, 19 November 2014 14:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chr$ is currently offline  Chr$   Czech Republic
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"Moot" not "Mute"

-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ

77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266373 is a reply to message #266369] Wed, 19 November 2014 15:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Jon,

If the truck/camper does not need any power while in storage, I think a battery cut off switch would be in order. Just a simple knife switch would do the trick.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266378 is a reply to message #266373] Wed, 19 November 2014 18:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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When ever I purchase a new battery for my vehicles, I use a slice of clear plastic packing tape and tape the receipt to the side of the battery. Wal-Mart used to use a sealing plastic bag to do the same thing, but they no longer do so. They will use the production date code on the battery, unless you can prove a later date.
Tom, MS II with 2 new batteries in the GMC this Summer.


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266384 is a reply to message #266378] Wed, 19 November 2014 21:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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I read somewhere that you can charge an Optima by hooking it up to another battery that is being charged.
Charging two batteries at once.
I tried it and it did work.
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266385 is a reply to message #266378] Wed, 19 November 2014 21:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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How To Charge an AGM Battery - Hot Rod Magazine

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/interior-electrical/hrdp-1009-how-to-charge-a-agm-battery/

[Updated on: Wed, 19 November 2014 21:21]

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Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266389 is a reply to message #266378] Thu, 20 November 2014 05:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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G'day,

Ole Bright Spark here decided to take the Wal-Mart receipt for a battery he bought and have it laminated.

Great idea, eh?

WRONG!

Wal-Mart receipts are printed on thermal paper, guess what happens when you run it through the laminator?

SOLID BLACK RECEIPT!

DOUH!

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Phipps

When ever I purchase a new battery for my vehicles, I use a slice of clear plastic packing tape and tape the receipt to the side of
the battery.
Wal-Mart used to use a sealing plastic bag to do the same thing, but they no longer do so. They will use the production date code
on the battery, unless you can prove a later date.
Tom

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266390 is a reply to message #266389] Thu, 20 November 2014 06:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Galbavy is currently offline  Jim Galbavy   United States
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Rob & Tom,

I keep a notebook w/ plastic sleeves in the GMC for stuff like this and
all other documentation on appliances. Kind of like we did on vehicles in
the military. Everything has it's place and stays readable.

jim galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, FL
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266392 is a reply to message #266384] Thu, 20 November 2014 08:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Senior Member
Harry wrote on Wed, 19 November 2014 22:10
I read somewhere that you can charge an Optima by hooking it up to another battery that is being charged.
Charging two batteries at once.
I tried it and it did work.

That will work with any battery, but the chances of both batteries getting to full density at the same time is remote and there is a very good chance that one of the two will never get to full density. This is only one of the reasons why paralleling lead acid batteries is not a great idea.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: optima battery boiling [message #266393 is a reply to message #266385] Thu, 20 November 2014 09:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Harry wrote on Wed, 19 November 2014 22:16
How To Charge an AGM Battery - Hot Rod Magazine
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/interior-electrical/hrdp-1009-how-to-charge-a-agm-battery/

This article is a little deceptive in its title. It would lead you to believe that there is something special about AGM that simply is not true.

What they are doing here is getting around the fact that many modern chargers will not even try to charge a battery that is below 8~10V terminal. This is nothing more than the fact that the sensing circuit won't work below that.

What is true is that an AGM MAY recover from a deep discharge somewhat better, the only real reason that they sulphate less is that there is less sulfuric acid and oxygen in them.

Over the last decade, I have probably installed about a dozen AGM banks. This is both house and main engine. How many batteries total - no clue. I like AGMs a lot, but as near as I can tell, they are only an economic toss-up at this point. Probably by the time the EPA mandated lead shortage comes to drive the basic battery prices out of reason, there will be some new chemistry to take its place.

Facts:
- AGM batteries can accept higher charging current than a similar sized flooded bank. They do not rely on circulating the electrolyte.
- AGM batteries are somewhat less prone to sulphation as noted above. They still have a limited life, it is just longer.
- Rolled cell AGMs are great starting batteries. They have very low internal resistance so cranking voltage holds up well.
- Rolled cell AGMs are not very good at Ampere-Hours per unit volume. By the pound they do OK, but the same box form will weight less.

AGM were originally developed for aircraft, where weight and vibration are both big issues. This set the cost equation off by enough to make them attractive.

What I really want is for the core battery packs from hybrid cars to start to show up in the salvage market. Things would be really neat with a 3~400AH 120VDC house bank that weights about what my 2ea-GCs do right now.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266400 is a reply to message #266393] Thu, 20 November 2014 11:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
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Just wondering if using a "fixed" voltage 13.5 - 13.8 VDC power supply that is current limited to say 10 - 15 Amps would be a good way to START recovery of a battery that had been excessively discharged until that battery got up to the point where a "modern" multi-stage charger could take over "smart" charging.

I have used a small "unsmart" charger to present an adequate voltage at the battery terminal to get the smart charger started.

I agree that the Optima that vented and boiled over probably had an internal fault (cause unknown).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*



> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:07:40 -0700
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: matt7323tze@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling
>
> Harry wrote on Wed, 19 November 2014 22:16
>> How To Charge an AGM Battery - Hot Rod Magazine
>> http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/interior-electrical/hrdp-1009-how-to-charge-a-agm-battery/
>
> This article is a little deceptive in its title. It would lead you to believe that there is something special about AGM that simply is not true.
>
> What they are doing here is getting around the fact that many modern chargers will not even try to charge a battery that is below 8~10V terminal.
> This is nothing more than the fact that the sensing circuit won't work below that.
>
> What is true is that an AGM MAY recover from a deep discharge somewhat better, the only real reason that they sulphate less is that there is less
> sulfuric acid and oxygen in them.
>
> Over the last decade, I have probably installed about a dozen AGM banks. This is both house and main engine. How many batteries total - no clue. I
> like AGMs a lot, but as near as I can tell, they are only an economic toss-up at this point. Probably by the time the EPA mandated lead shortage
> comes to drive the basic battery prices out of reason, there will be some new chemistry to take its place.
>
> Facts:
> - AGM batteries can accept higher charging current than a similar sized flooded bank. They do not rely on circulating the electrolyte.
> - AGM batteries are somewhat less prone to sulphation as noted above. They still have a limited life, it is just longer.
> - Rolled cell AGMs are great starting batteries. They have very low internal resistance so cranking voltage holds up well.
> - Rolled cell AGMs are not very good at Ampere-Hours per unit volume. By the pound they do OK, but the same box form will weight less.
>
> AGM were originally developed for aircraft, where weight and vibration are both big issues. This set the cost equation off by enough to make them
> attractive.
>
> What I really want is for the core battery packs from hybrid cars to start to show up in the salvage market. Things would be really neat with a
> 3~400AH 120VDC house bank that weights about what my 2ea-GCs do right now.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCES
> '73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266408 is a reply to message #266400] Thu, 20 November 2014 15:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Just take a standard 1, or 2, or 6 amp charger and stick it on the battery over night. Check it in one hour and then again the morning to see where you are. I personally would use a 1 amp one and check it 24 hours later.



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266412 is a reply to message #266400] Thu, 20 November 2014 17:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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k2gkk wrote on Thu, 20 November 2014 12:01
Just wondering if using a "fixed" voltage 13.5 - 13.8 VDC power supply that is current limited to say 10 - 15 Amps would be a good way to START recovery of a battery that had been excessively discharged until that battery got up to the point where a "modern" multi-stage charger could take over "smart" charging.

I have used a small "unsmart" charger to present an adequate voltage at the battery terminal to get the smart charger started.

I agree that the Optima that vented and boiled over probably had an internal fault (cause unknown).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~

Mac,

That will work and I have done it with both a real current limited supply and a very old charger with a "manual" mode.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266413 is a reply to message #266408] Thu, 20 November 2014 17:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
Ken Burton wrote on Thu, 20 November 2014 16:12
Just take a standard 1, or 2, or 6 amp charger and stick it on the battery over night. Check it in one hour and then again the morning to see where you are. I personally would use a 1 amp one and check it 24 hours later.

Ken,

I tried that with a "battery maintainer" that was supposed to be 12.6 at 1. It seems that the internal leakage at that discharged state absorbed all the charge current and 12.6 wasn't enough to get the chemistry rolling. I put a supply that was regulated at 26.0 but current limited at 300 and it took another hour to start to charge. When it did, it soon hit the 300 crowbar and then a good charger would work.

Fun things batteries are......

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266415 is a reply to message #266389] Thu, 20 November 2014 18:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
winsumlosum is currently offline  winsumlosum   United States
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Laughing Laughing Laughing I put mine in a metal file box, guess what, all the printing faded away,in less than 6 months. Now they go in plastic sleeves. Rolling Eyes

Dave Simmons, Pharr, TX 1977 26'ex Kingsley 455/Thorley's, "The Phoenix" to rise from the ashes again.
Re: [GMCnet] optima battery boiling [message #266417 is a reply to message #266389] Thu, 20 November 2014 19:24 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
lotsofspareparts is currently offline  lotsofspareparts   United States
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USAussie wrote on Thu, 20 November 2014 03:49
G'day,

Ole Bright Spark here decided to take the Wal-Mart receipt for a battery he bought and have it laminated.

Great idea, eh?

WRONG!

Wal-Mart receipts are printed on thermal paper, guess what happens when you run it through the laminator?

SOLID BLACK RECEIPT!

DOUH!

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Phipps

When ever I purchase a new battery for my vehicles, I use a slice of clear plastic packing tape and tape the receipt to the side of
the battery.
Wal-Mart used to use a sealing plastic bag to do the same thing, but they no longer do so. They will use the production date code
on the battery, unless you can prove a later date.
Tom

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LMFAO right now Rob!!! Obviously you never worked at Wal-Mart........

Still laughing, Jared


Jared & Tina Lazaron + 14yr old Daughter..... 77 Eleganza II "Recherché"..... 73 Canyon Lands 230 "Elephant"
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