Blew up a battery....

[Jayco36REQS]

I went to start my 923 yesterday and it clicked and made a grunt sound.... But wouldn't roll it over. I checked the voltage of all 4 of the 6TMF batteries... three were right at 10v, but one was 4v... Since the truck was too far from a power source to charge it, I tried to jump it with a 3/4 ton tubro diesel hooked to the low-ball battery... all was looking good as the voltage was raising slow but surely... so I tried to start it. BANG!!! One of the batteries exploded a golf-ball size hole out of the top of the battery!!

Luckily the acid stayed in the battery box, and no other damage that I can see.

So I've removed all 4 batteries .... Obviously the blown one is toast, (but surprisingly still has 10v??), and I'm charging the two 10v batteries up to full. I'm guessing the 4v battery has gone bad... but I will try to run it on a smart charger to regenerate it and see if it holds a charge.

I've also ordered 2 new 6TMF batteries from O'Rieley auto parts... Not sure I want to drop to just 2 batteries... but who knows.

 

[ke5eua]

With multi battery setup all batteries should be replaced equally.

If the other two can hold a good charge then it will be fine, but if they are weaker than the ones you just order then it will take the new ones down with them.

As far as the 4v one, yeah I would count on it coming back to life. It might hold enough charge to jump a lawn mower but would be useless in the 5 ton.

Also, glad you weren't hurt when it exploded.

 

[Jayco36REQS]

Yea thanks.... Luckily I kept the passenger seat on and just tilted it up.. so it took the brunt of it all... Wow... what an explosion though!! I've never had a battery blow like that before.

 

[wheelspinner]

I've had two batteries in all of my trucks with zero issues even in winter. 4 is just standard military overkill.

 

[doghead]

The NHC 250/855ci motor needs more battery than the 6CTA .

 

[swbradley1]

I just took a battery back to Interstate out of one of our civi vehicles. He tests it and says yeah it will probably come back to life, we will just put it on the bench and charge it with 50volts for 20 hours. What??

That is a 12volt battery mind you. first I had heard that they would try something like that.

Glad the explosion didn't get you and DH is correct, those 14 liter engines do like their batteries......

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Glad you did not get hurt!!! Once I was charging a 12v battery in a gen. and it had been on charge for a day.
I took the charger off and hit the starter and BOOM. I guess there was gases built up it the battery.
Man was it loud!!!

 

[FloridaAKM]

There is a stormwater propane fired engine where I work. One day, with facing a dead battery, the mechanic pulled & charged the battery for a few hours on high. After replacing the battery (12v not 24v, mind you), he tried to start the pump & the battery exploded blowing acid & plastic case past him. He was lucky he wasn't standing in the blast pattern, but he did get sprayed with some acid!

 

[acme66]

Can confirm 2 batteries will work. Been using truck commercially starting it half dozen times a day on 2 older 6CTA's for more than a year. Unless you desire the accuracy or have a need for a large amount of reserve power 2 is fine. When mine go I am off to Costco to buy 2 of the largest top terminals they have and just keep trucking.

Ken

 

[MyothersanM1]

Two Costco group 34's and my beast cranks just fine.

 

[Artisan]

snip

I've also ordered 2 new 6TMF batteries from O'Rieley auto parts... snip

May I ask what they charged for those?

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

I've had two batteries in all of my trucks with zero issues even in winter. 4 is just standard military overkill.

Could not agree more.....been running same for years.