Acid Batteries & Power Center

[churly01]

After reinstalling my two 6v acid batteries my load center yellow light came on and went into bulk mode. I could hear bubbling inside the batteries. I disconnected the batteries but what could the problem be?

[rubicon327]

Maybe I’m not understanding the problem. The power center probably sensed a low enough battery voltage and put it into bulk charging mode.

[MVA]

Bubbling is a sign of electrochemical over potential. That is that you are disassociating water into O2 and H2 rather than having all of the current charge the battery. I am assuming you have removed one of the caps and you saw bubbles coming to the surface. If that is the case, I would take the batteries to a repeatable service to test them.

Edit - H2 is explosive! A battery that has failed will evolve H2.

[cpaharley2008]

I assume you mean "reputable" dealer for servicing......_

[MVA]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I assume you mean "reputable" dealer for servicing......_

Yes! Typing on a phone with autocorrect is annoying

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by churly01

After reinstalling my two 6v acid batteries my load center yellow light came on and went into bulk mode. I could hear bubbling inside the batteries. I disconnected the batteries but what could the problem be?

The problem could be that the charging voltage is too high for some reason. Repeat the charge and if you experience the problem again then use your trusty multi-meter to verify the charging voltage. Let us know what you find.

[Hawkeye Ed]

When a battery bubbles it is overcharging due to excessive amperage, voltage, or both. The excess electricity is breaking down the electrolyte in each of the cells and causing the battery to off-gas and bubble. If left unchecked, this can damage or destroy your battery.

Check to make sure you hooked the batteries back up correctly in series for 6v batteries and 12v supply. If they're hooked up in parallel then you're effectively charging a 6 volt battery with twice the normal voltage. Not good.

[MVA]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed

When a battery bubbles it is overcharging due to excessive amperage, voltage, or both. The excess electricity is breaking down the electrolyte in each of the cells and causing the battery to off-gas and bubble. If left unchecked, this can damage or destroy your battery.

Check to make sure you hooked the batteries back up correctly in series for 6v batteries and 12v supply. If they're hooked up in parallel then you're effectively charging a 6 volt battery with twice the normal voltage. Not good.

Great point on a potential miss wiring. That would indeed manifest in a significant over potential and gas formation.

Since it sounded like you had removed your batteries and were installing them, I would double check the wiring.

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed

Check to make sure you hooked the batteries back up correctly in series for 6v batteries and 12v supply. If they're hooked up in parallel then you're effectively charging a 6 volt battery with twice the normal voltage. Not good.

I suspect this was the cause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGX5Kw-Ur04