Smoking Battery Terminal

JeepGirl247 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 12:59 AM

My lawn tractor has been in storage all winter and I decided to start it up yesterday for the first time in about 3 months. The one year old refurbished high power battery was completely disconnected while it was in storage so it wouldn't drain. It was in about 45F degrees in sunshine when I tried to start it. I turned the key to start it and it just kept "chugging" and wouldn't actually turn-over 100%. I stopped after about 15 "chugs" and then tried again. The second time it had slightly more power but still wouldn't turn over completely to start it. During this second attempt, I noticed a small line of smoke coming up from the negative battery terminal area. I immediately turned the ignition off, took the key out, and then waited about 10 more seconds and the smoke had gone away. I then disconnected both battery cables and haven't been back to the tractor because I don't know what is going on. Why would it be smoking? Any insight into how I can get my tractor started would be great. Thank you.

xt master · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 05:02 AM

How clean are the terminals and where they tight enough?Could have been some rust that went up in smoke which would also not give you a good connection.Also if the tractor was cold and you put it out in the sun maybe some condensation?

SteelHeadz · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 07:02 AM

My guess is a bad connection.

jps4jeep · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelHeadz

My guess is a bad connection.

Ditto, batteries (if they are the issue) generally do not smoke, they swell and either melt or explode

SteelHeadz · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jps4jeep

Ditto, batteries (if they are the issue) generally do not smoke, they swell and either melt or explode

Yup, but if the terminal connection has a corrosion that's causing an intermittent contact between the battery and the eyelet, it will smoke.

avan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010, 03:03 AM

Seen this before on a car that stood for a long time. Wire brush the terminals and the connection.

jps4jeep · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelHeadz

Yup, but if the terminal connection has a corrosion that's causing an intermittent contact between the battery and the eyelet, it will smoke.

Yes.. thats not the battery, thats the terminal

MudderChuck · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010, 10:43 AM

Likely the terminal, but anyway have a good look to see if any rodents have been munching on your wiring.

JeepGirl247 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010, 11:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys....there isn't any visible rust on any of the connection points (battery terminals and wiring, bolts, etc), just some dust. I will work on cleaning it up and go from there...

...but what's that about batteries exploding? That is scary....

MudderChuck · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepGirl247

Thanks for the suggestions guys....there isn't any visible rust on any of the connection points (battery terminals and wiring, bolts, etc), just some dust. I will work on cleaning it up and go from there...

...but what's that about batteries exploding? That is scary....

If a battery passes too many amps through a short circuit, too quickly, it can heat up fast, the case can rupture and spew battery acid/electrolyte all over the place. The gases inside the battery can burn/explode when exposed to a flame or spark.
Batteries are designed to vent excess gases, if the battery is in a closed battery case or box, the gases that collect in the battery box may explode (burn really quickly) when exposed to a flame or spark.
An open flame (or spark) near an open water fill/inspection hole (in an old serviceable type battery), may cause the gases inside the battery to ignite. It may explode and spew electrolyte/acid. As a general rule it is better to keep a flame or sparks away from a battery.

A couple of years ago, I had a large crescent wrench fall on top of a battery on the charging table, my guess is it touched both poles (dead short). Luckily nobody was around. There wasn't much of the battery left in one chunk afterwards, acid/electrolyte was spewed in a 7-8 foot circle. Cleaning up the shop afterwards was a real pain.

I clean my battery poles and clamps with a 3M pad or sand paper, wipe them down with a solvent. Even shiny, they may still have a coating of oil on them from an oil contaminated wire brush or 3M pad or residual oil or grease from the poles or clamps themselves, even after sanding. The more clean contact the poles and clamps have, the better.

Battery poles and clamps are usually made of lead alloy, lead oxidizes. Lead oxide (or oil, or grease) doesn't conduct nearly as well a shiny clean lead alloy does.

JeepGirl247 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 11:27 PM

I have also noticed that this battery has some type of battery acid seepage at the top that wasn't there when it originally was stored...that makes me leery and I'd rather just buy a brand new battery than mess with that...especially after hearing that story from MudderChuck!

MudderChuck · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepGirl247

I have also noticed that this battery has some type of battery acid seepage at the top that wasn't there when it originally was stored...that makes me leery and I'd rather just buy a brand new battery than mess with that...especially after hearing that story from MudderChuck!

I'd clean it up good, charge it, clean my poles and clamps until shiny. Then use it, if it holds a charge.
Letting a battery sit all winter isn't good for them.

The newer type pulse trickle chargers, can be left connected all winter. The electronics monitor the battery and regularly recharges it when necessary. Keeps it fresh.

I Imagine NAPA or some other place can load test it for you. This will tell you if the battery is still good. And if it is going to act up, it's better in there shop than yours.

JeepGirl247 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010, 10:47 PM

Thanks! I'll clean it up and get it tested as soon as this weather clears...