Lost battery fill caps...
- Thread starter knockbill
- Start date
arts
Addicted Member
Been there,done that!The ones used on motorcycle batteries are the worst. Between the small size (try finding one when you drop it) and the ease with which they break (even when finger tightening) I raid the local bike shop regularly. He usually gives me a bag of old ones from cores.
I think he pities me when he sees me rattle into his parking lot on my old Brits. ''Poor old guy doesn't even have an electric start,the shifter's on the wrong side,and drum brakes too!
''IMHO, it's best to leave battery caps on, even when charging.
I've only seen one battery explode in my life. It was in garden tractor and severely overcharged by a defective charger.
The battery was under the seat and blew when I turned the key. It made a sound like a shotgun, and gave me a kick in the craw.
It was scarey, but I didn't get any acid on me.
I've only seen one battery explode in my life. It was in garden tractor and severely overcharged by a defective charger.
The battery was under the seat and blew when I turned the key. It made a sound like a shotgun, and gave me a kick in the craw.
It was scarey, but I didn't get any acid on me.
knockbill
Lunatic Member
Its hard to use the hydrometer without taking the caps off...
Bob Price
Active Member
Kick in the craw....LOL
Bob Price
Active Member
Modern batteries are vented whether caps are on or off. As long as you are in a ventilated area away from open flame, you should be ok.
I think the jerks at the auto parts store who kept turning you down was the real problem with your situation.
I think the jerks at the auto parts store who kept turning you down was the real problem with your situation.
The battery jumped up and hit the bottom of the seat (I was sitting on it). Fortunately the split was around the bottom corner, that part stayed in the plastic well.
My dad had left it on a defective charger for an unknown amount of time. He said a couple of hours. Mom said he hadn't worked on it for at least two days. She said this after the explosion.
I took the charger off, and turned the key. BOOM !
My dad had left it on a defective charger for an unknown amount of time. He said a couple of hours. Mom said he hadn't worked on it for at least two days. She said this after the explosion.
I took the charger off, and turned the key. BOOM !
sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
I think he pities me when he sees me rattle into his parking lot on my old Brits. ''Poor old guy doesn't even have an electric start,the shifter's on the wrong side,and drum brakes too!
Can't be THAT old if it's got a battery, eh. <G>
PS ... didja let him tickle yer carbs?
arts
Addicted Member
sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
Was just working on my latest "brit" bike ... direct ripoff of the Bonneville anyway, only I'm pleased to say, Paul Lucas had nothing to do with the electrics!
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It's an '83 650 Heritage Special. Painted and detailed the motor today. Steel only needs a good buff out to git er done. Always liked the '77 paint scheme, and I just so happened to have a set of OEM decals collecting dust ...
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Beats the carp out of the bug bomb black it was when I picked it up off CL. Saw the ad ... "no title, boxes included, $300" ... how could I pass on that?
Er ... what was the topic? <G>
knockbill
Lunatic Member
The only batt I ever saw explode was at an auto cross,,, my buddy hooked up his big block 70 vet,,, and broke a half shaft,,, it came up through the floor, and smashed the batt (its behind the drivers seat on a C3)!!
we got him out and rinsed off without too many acid burns...
What were we talkin about????
we got him out and rinsed off without too many acid burns...
What were we talkin about????
usedto
Lunatic Member
Not too many '68 Corvettes in wrecking yards.
The battery in a '68 and newer Corvettes goes in a compartment right behind the driver's seat. They have special caps with hose barbs on them instead of vent slots, and there's rubber hoses that slip on the barbs and vent out the bottom of the box.
Djcoolray
Addicted Member
You keep the same original battery in your car ??? As a mechanic I can say that there are better replacements...and made by AC Delco !
usedto
Lunatic Member
Nope, but I kept the battery caps. They're worth a lot of money to a die-hard collector. A pair sold on ebay in April for $89.99
I never said there weren't better replacements - just not the same as the originals.
