Overheating battery

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by mhyn, Oct 14, 2019.

  1. mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    Bad rotten egg smell was coming from battery box. Stopped and checked temperatures of batteries. One of batteries was 180-190F . Rest of them were 105-115F . Disconnected that battery's positive cable. . This smell started a month ago . One day it was smelling bad and then it was gone. Today started again.
    What will cause battery to overheat? I have new Delco alternator.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
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  3. Working2party

    Working2party Medium Load Member

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    There are 6 cells in a battery. It only takes one to short out, overheat, and expel the rotten egg smell (?Hydrogen sulfide?). Once it’s done expelling it, that cell was dead, no more charge, no more smell.

    Most trucks really only need 2 barriers to start in the summer so you didn’t notice the lack in start power. A voltage check should have shown one battery at 10.6V or lower.

    A month ago the first cell went, you recently had the next cell go. Hopefully they where in the same battery!!
     
  4. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    Dont piss around replacing 1 batterie ...replace them all .
     
  5. jammer910Z

    jammer910Z Road Train Member

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    Been there. I feel ya.
     
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  6. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Just be careful dealing with that bad battery.
    You can be injured very badly if you don’t handle it with extreme care.
    The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide gas and it’s extremely explosive.
    One spark from a battery cable can cause a literal battery bomb with plastic shards and battery acid flying everywhere.
     
  7. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    ^ What he said, when you smell it it is ready to blow.
     
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  8. mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    it's cold now but still smell bad.. I will not touch it until morning.
     
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  9. mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    I hope so.
     
  10. mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    I still have warranty on these batteries. I will change them when I get home.
     
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  11. mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    if one cell is dead then the battery will not show any voltage?
     
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