Battery crisis.

[Mark Jesic]

Hi guys just got back from a show, garaged the jeep and as usual checked under the bonnet. To my horror, i noticed acid on top and running down the side of the battery. I quickly removed it from the jeep, and thoroughly rinsed down the contaminated area. Looks like a new battery is on the shopping list, although this one has only been on a few months. Has this happened to any one else on this site ? The battery in question came as a spare when i bought the jeep, it was a few years old and never had the acid added to it, until i put it on the jeep. For the record the make is Lincon, and is 6v. On closer inspection, i notice some cracks on the top of the battery, and a small one one the side.

[artificer]

Pictures? Tar is used to seal old rubber battery cases.

[Mark Jesic]

John, they are hairline cracks, difficult to see, but the acid is seeping out. Thinking about it, would overtightening the battery frame at the top possibly cause this ?

[nick peters]

Mark
Lincoln batteries are very tough. So your idea of it being caused thru clamping is doubtful (in my opinion). Maybe someone hit the terminals to get cables on tighter or something like that?
regards Nick

[Mark Jesic]

OK Nick, thanks for the info.

[conrod6]

If the battery is being overcharged by the dynamo the battery electrolyte will expand on a long run and come out of the caps (especially if over filled - should be just over the battery plates and no more when cold) .Check voltage while running across battery -If you have over 8V for 6v system or 15v for a 12v system you have a problem to investigate.

hope this helps Barrie

[Gary Linger]

Can't comment on the leak but I have a dry battery to install and haven't been able to find out how much acid to add. Can you help me with that? I will need to purchase and don't know the quantity!

Thanks,
Gary

[conrod6]

Hello Gary we are at risk of Hi-jacking Mark's thread here ! As regarding your acid most dry charged batteries come with an acid pack of the correct quantity - so a similar sized battery advertised will use around the same amount - worth an internet search . You can work it out near enough if you measure the battery case then deduct for displacement by the plates. Alternatively you should be able to take it to any battery centre that still keeps a carboy of acid of the correct specific gravity and get them to fill it for you - just over the plates is the correct quantity.

hope this helps Barrie

[Mark Jesic]

Thanks Conrad, but there are definite cracks in the battery. I have a new one on order but have to go to the dealer to collect it.

[dinof]

A new battery will tell whats going on. Best to check charging rates after new battery is put in just to make sure the system is normal.

[donk_316]

I don’t know what your weather is like but we are just coming out of winter here.
Could your battery have frozen? That would definitely cause what you’re describing

[Mark Jesic]

No Donk, we had a pretty mild winter here, plus my jeep is kept in a warm garage. I reckon it must have been dropped at some point, not by me though. I am picking my new one up today.

[artificer]

Mounted too tight or left too loose will contribute to distorting the case.

[Mark Jesic]

Collected new battery, fully charged ,and back on the jeep. Were back in business.