 RickNYPremium
join:2000-11-02
Manorville, NY
 ·Optimum Online
| UPS Battery hot - removed from unit
This morning, one of my UPS's failed after an overtemp condition on the battery. I took the UPS out of service, and removed the battery from the unit. Since it is two batteries in series, I also removed the jumper between the two batteries. After removal of the battery at 730 AM this morning, the battery (a pair of BP 7.2-12 sealed lead acid batteries) was buzzing for about 15 minutes after it had been removed. Now, almost 12 hours later, the negative post on one of the batteries is almost hot to the touch, and the battery has started to swell a light bit on that side.
From a safety standpoint, what should I do? Is this anything to be concerned about?
Thanks,
Rick |
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Reviews:
 ·Frontier Communi..
| Buzzing is most certainly degassing, though I don't know if it's just steam, or some other gas.
As for terminal to be still hot after 12 hours -- I don't think that's normal, and could mean an internal short that's generating heat until it completely drains the effected cell(s).
As for safety, I'd put it into a plastic bucket and cover it if it's still hot -- I don't think explosions are common, but should it happen, the bucket is a good containment vessel. |
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 Tursiops_GTechnoidPremium,MVM
join:2002-02-06
Norwalk, CT
1 edit | reply to RickNY
As aurgathor  noted, the battery has developed an internal short, and is outgassing... The gas is actually Hydrogen, and is extremely flammable... Put the battery somewhere Outside, and let it Totally cool off.
BTW, Do Not dispose of SLA batteries in the Trash... Check with your City Hall (or your local Fire Department) for the location of a Household Hazardous Waste/Recycling drop-off point in your area instead.
Don't attempt to re-use the other battery... Replace BOTH of them... 
-Tursiops_G.
--
If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway.  |
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| reply to RickNY
One of the batteries probably has a bad cell and now the other is getting overcharged. Replace the batteries. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA | reply to aurgathor
said by aurgathor:Buzzing is most certainly degassing, though I don't know if it's just steam, or some other gas. It may have reached boiling temperature, or it developed an internal short. The little 7Ah batteries are very fragile and frequently burst into flames when used in APC3000 UPS. |
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TheMGPremium
join:2007-09-04
Canada
kudos:1 Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
1 edit | reply to RickNY
Reminds me of what happened to our car when the regulator on the alternator failed. The battery got overcharged and was quite literally squirting out sulfuric acid and hydrogen gas. Of all the places, this occured on the highway in the middle of nowhere, and no cell phone. Great. We pulled the alternator fuse and kept going on the battery alone, until we reached a garage to get it repaired.
Anyways, moral of story, sealed lead acid batteries tend to spew out acid and hydrogen when overcharged. Now, this does not mean your USP is overcharging the battery. Shorted cells within the battery itself can cause the remaining (not shorted) cells to overcharge. |
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RickNYPremium
join:2000-11-02
Manorville, NY Reviews:
·Optimum Online
1 edit | reply to RickNY
Thanks all.. It only was buzzing for about 15 minutes.. The battery has cooled down a bit and is now only slightly warmer than room temperature.
Anyway, I've replaced probably hundreds of UPS batteries over the years as part of my job as a sys admin -- this is actually the first one I came across that was actually buzzing and remained hot that long after removing it from the charge. As for disposing of them, I always bring them down to the town landfill -- they have a special dropoff for battery recycling and they accept them there.
Thanks all for your comments..
Rick |
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