<VV> Still More Re: Battery Explosion

[FrankCB]

Gary,
     A battery tender supplies the battery with a maintenance charge of only 13.5 volts while an alternator on a running engine easily supplies 14.2 volts and even higher when cold.   Which one do you think will be more likely to "generate some fumes from the battery".  Don't try to start the car with the battery charger (or tender) still connected.  Disconnect it first, leave the engine open to ventilate for a few minutes while you make sure the battery connections are sound and only then try to start the car.
     Lead-acid batteries in good condition typically lose 10% of their charge for every MONTH they receive no charging assuming there is NO connective drain on the battery.  So SIX months means more than HALF the battery's charge is gone.  If it wasn't in top-notch condition to start with, the loss is even worse.
     As you say, it's a GREAT idea to wear safety goggles when working on batteries.
     Frank "not always fully charged" Burkhard

In a message dated 09/27/09 07:39:38 Eastern Daylight Time, gswiatowy at rochester.rr.com writes:
One reason I do not beleive in a battery tender is it generates some fumes 
from the battery. 
A marginal connection at the terminal and hitting the key can cause your 
accident. 
If a battery is bad, it's bad. If it's good, it will hold it's own charge 
for 6 month's without a tender and the terminal disconnected. 

I have blown up my share of batteries, twice while looking directly at them 
and attaching jumper cables(thank god I wear glasses). 
And one that happened similar to your incident, under a closed hood by 
turning the key. 
None of mine though happened in a Corvair. 

Gary Swiatowy