Batteries

Charging: Always make sure batteries are well vented when charging. Ideally use a charger that automatically turns off when fully charged.

Jumping: Always connect the positive cables first and don’t connect the negative cable from the good battery to the negative on the low battery car, instead connect to a ground source.

Vents: If your uses a venting system, make sure it is properly connected. If the battery is under the rear seat you definitely WANT the vent connected. The by-product of a battery is hydrogen (yes, that explosive gas, hydrogen)

Water: Even "Maintainance-free" batteries need to be checked for water. Distilled water is always better than tap water due to less or no minerals which attach to the battery plates and reduce the life of the battery.
____________________________________

Story? Years ago a friend who worked at a Porsche shop was charging the battery in the front trunk of an old 356. The hood wouldn't stay open so he used a short stick to prop it open. He let the battery charge for four or five hours.

Later when he checked the battery and it was warm, he pulled the battery connectors. There was a spark that caused an explosion of the accumulated hydrogen gas that blew the hood of the car and my friend across the workshop. He was OK. Car was not.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)