84300DT,

Happened to me once, on a Diehard. Blew the top right off while trying to start the car, a 190D, with hood up. Sounded like a shotgun firing. Wife came out and asked what I was shooting at.

It didn't spill a drop of acid, just lifted the top off the battery. Battery still worked. Would have been OK for a stationary battery.

I couldn't find the warranty card so no adjustment.

Why didn't you buy your new battery at AutoZone and save $30 dollars?

Battery explosions are caused by the hydrogen and oxygen generated in the battery by hydrolysis of the water. But there must be a source of ignition, usually a spark someplace. Kind of hard to get compression ignition in a battery.

P E H