I once had a PhD electrical engineer ask be for a small lead acid battery. As I handed it to him, I gave him the same warning I give everyone. I said something to the effect of, "Nearly everyone underestimates the stored energy in a lead acid battery. When shorted the results can be catastrophic in a very short time. Be very, very careful to not short across the terminals".
He rolled his eyes and said I've used batteries before.
The next day he came back with the battery, the case was partially melted and the terminals were burned. While doing a demonstration in front of a group, he accidently picked up the wrong lead and shorted out the battery. Keep in mind this was a small battery, about the size of a red brick. The insulation on the leads instantly melted and fell to the floor, the wires were glowing red hot. He ran down the hall and threw the battery in a water fountain and ran water on the leads until he could pull one end off.
Needless to say, he has never asked for another lead acid battery!
As I say you can know it all, but that still doesn't prevent you from making mistakes.
I've seen big 24 volt tractor trailer batteries short out. I once held a hose on one as it was burning until a mechanic could run get a cable cutter and cut through one of the cables. The short occurred just as I happened to be standing there with a water hose in my hand. If I hadn't been there someone would have certainly lost a $100k tractor.
My point here is that you can't be too careful with these things and it's a great idea to regularly inspect the high current cables for abrasions where they may come in contact with the frame. Some people keep their tractor in their garage and sometimes the garage is connected to the house. A fire can easily occur under the right circumstances. I have a battery switch on my tractor and I keep it turned off when not in use.
Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, I'm just trying to pass on some of what I've learned the hard way.
He rolled his eyes and said I've used batteries before.
The next day he came back with the battery, the case was partially melted and the terminals were burned. While doing a demonstration in front of a group, he accidently picked up the wrong lead and shorted out the battery. Keep in mind this was a small battery, about the size of a red brick. The insulation on the leads instantly melted and fell to the floor, the wires were glowing red hot. He ran down the hall and threw the battery in a water fountain and ran water on the leads until he could pull one end off.
Needless to say, he has never asked for another lead acid battery!
As I say you can know it all, but that still doesn't prevent you from making mistakes.
I've seen big 24 volt tractor trailer batteries short out. I once held a hose on one as it was burning until a mechanic could run get a cable cutter and cut through one of the cables. The short occurred just as I happened to be standing there with a water hose in my hand. If I hadn't been there someone would have certainly lost a $100k tractor.
My point here is that you can't be too careful with these things and it's a great idea to regularly inspect the high current cables for abrasions where they may come in contact with the frame. Some people keep their tractor in their garage and sometimes the garage is connected to the house. A fire can easily occur under the right circumstances. I have a battery switch on my tractor and I keep it turned off when not in use.
Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, I'm just trying to pass on some of what I've learned the hard way.
