sunnofa

[veedubtek]

Got to the lake this morn, went to turn the batteries on and my fingers turned red? Wtf. Oh, soaked in battery acid along with everything else in there. Battery issue? Charger? Batteries are 4 years old. Charger is a 3 month old noco genius.

 

[tdonoughue]

Do I read partially that those are 'maintenance-free' batteries?

I would first suspect the charger, myself. I understand that over/too-fast charging can cause bubbling. But I am curious because you have, I think, the sealed batteries (which still do have vent ports, but...). I suspect you had an overcharge which caused the acid to bubble out over everything. Do you have a multi-meter nearby to test the batteries?

 

[veedubtek]

I will when I get home, @tdonoughue . Wasn't gonna let this ruin my day. I am also suspecting the charger.

 

[Bruce]

Seeing Deka I assumed that would be an expensive battery. I looked up 24M5 and it is a 4 year old $75 starting battery. I would replace it.

 

[Glassman]

Wow, sorry to see that.

Since you didn't let it ruin your day, I take it they still held a charge? If so, did you open them up to check the level?
I've had batteries gas off like that before. Typically a charger malfunction.

That's why I still yank the battery and bring it home. The five minutes it takes is well spent compared to what I and some of my friends have gone through in the past with replacing batteries out in the boonies. You can lose the better part of a day driving to civilization to get the right replacement sometimes.

 

[waterboy]

The five minutes it takes is well spent compared to what I and some of my friends have gone through in the past with replacing batteries out in the boonies. You can lose the better part of a day driving to civilization

or trying to find one in Bimini... Be glad it happened now!!! Shakin' out the bugs a bit still.

 

[veedubtek]

No doubt @waterboy !

I was on the fence already about getting a couple new batteries as they are dated 2011. Any recommendations on a good Interstate to replace with? My OCD demands matching batteries, and we are an Interstate dealer, so ideally that's what I'll use. I don't need the craziest awesomest batteries money can buy, just good.

 

[tdonoughue]

I agree on yanking this battery and changing it once that has happened. I still suspect the charger, but after the battery has done that, the acid inside is gone (all over your boat) and the battery cannot hold the charge it used to. It may still be acceptable and all of that, but it will not be as it was or should be.

@veedubtek , I would go with a Mega Tron Plus at least (kidding--I just looked up the most expensive one I could find...).

 

[veedubtek]

LOL. Nah, definitely no reusing this guy. The start battery is toast. I ran parallel today to start the engines.



Gonna call Noco in the morning and then order a couple interstates. Gonna go ahead and get a new box with cover while I'm at it and maybe step up a size.

 

[Bruce]

Interstate sells AGM batteries http://www.interstatebatteries.com/m/product/agm/marine-agm . They are expensive but I bet you get a better price than I do.

I have had good luck with SRM-27B in computer backups.

 

[veedubtek]

NOCO shipped me out some acid neutralizer (at no charge), so I spent the evening super flushing everything again. They also gave me a prepaid shipping label to get the charger back to them asap. That's all I've heard from them thus far.

In the meantime, I've ordered 2 SRM-27's which I should have tomorrow as well as boxes for both. A box sure would've contained this mess alot better.

 

[Bruce]

Acid neutralizer? Is that baking soda?

 

[veedubtek]

That's what I used Sunday, but I sprayed this stuff too to be safe. Just like battery terminal cleaner you can buy in a parts store. Aerosol can, real foamy. Yellow color turns red when it hits acid. They sent me 2 cans.

 

[itsdgm]

That's terrible @veedubtek I couldn't agree with you more about adding battery boxes. I put our two batteries in boxes when I added tha switch and second battery when I first got the boat. Good luck with the cleanup. Hopefully you'll be back in action soon.