Battery - new one on me

[BKBrown]

I guess it could have overcharged, but that still does not explain both the cap coming off and the case cracking. ????? :confused2:

Any chance the charger/maintainer malfunctioned and overcharged the battery?

 

[BKBrown]

Making shade won't be hard if it is needed, but an umbrella creates new problems with wind taking it away etc. ---- good idea though, Thanks !

Maybe try to find a cheap patio umbrella someplace and rig it up to shade the battery box?

 

[Black Bart]

If excessive pressure cracked the case that would cause less tension on the caps and the pressure blew them off.
This is pure speculation on my part but it is the best scenario I can think of.
We set 100 year old records this summer no likely it will be that hot again but in the heat of the summer a cheap umbrella would sure help.

 

[Black Bart]

Making shade won't be hard if it is needed, but an umbrella creates new problems with wind taking it away etc. ---- good idea though, Thanks !

I have one on my deck with a heavy base it can withstand a good bit of wind but when we expect storms we just put it down.

Only takes 30 seconds.

 

[JDgreen]

I guess it could have overcharged, but that still does not explain both the cap coming off and the case cracking. ????? :confused2:

Overcharging would create gassing, and gassing would create pressure inside?

 

[JDgreen]

I have one on my deck with a heavy base it can withstand a good bit of wind but when we expect storms we just put it down.

Only takes 30 seconds.

For umbrellas with a wood post, a length of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe set in concrete below grade makes a cheapo, durable base. The good umbrella I use to shield my gas grill in bright sun uses a section of the same pipe secured to the deck board at the bottom using a cap screwed down, and a carriage bolt goes thru the lower metal sleeve of the umbrella post and the PVC pipe. The main section of the umbrella inserts into the lower sleeve/pipe and locks.

 

[Two-Stroke]

JDGreen beat me to it but I suspected the charger also. Particularly since you just bought a new battery, I'd be inclined to disconnect the charger until I know the charger is OK.

 

[Black Bart]

Overcharging would create gassing, and gassing would create pressure inside?

I think it had been sitting for a good while and he was going to run it when he found it busted.
BK can clear that up for us.

I went back and read his post I missed the part about the maintainer but I don't see that as the problem.
they can only charge a maximum of a quarter of a amp.
They are not chargers just maintainers.
I have 5 of those on cars that I seldom drive

 

[BKBrown]

Yes, it had been sitting a couple weeks (or slightly more) since the last time I started it.
The new battery is sitting at 14.9 V right now and no sign of anything in the charging system or standby system being hotter than ambient temperature.

I will get in and clean up the terminals and spray with contact protector, but I am at a loss to explain -- possible that a surge did the deed, but nothing else seems to be wrong. ???

 

[Mower manic]

Put a volt meter on the charging circuit when the battery is in place. Should not be much over 13.5-14 VDC. If it's high, then there's your problem. You probably would not hear the case crack with the genset running.
The old battery may have developed a short or may have been defective.
Nice mower!
Ventrac's are the cats a-s,.....backside