Battery tender explosion question

[charlesskelter]

Well, I picked up a battery tender and it warns not to use it near a gas water heater, well, guess what's in my garage. I personally think there can't be that much outgassing in a battery but I don't want to blow all my stuff up or the triplex.

So what do you guys think? I mean hell, I have acetone, fuel and every other concievable combustable chemical in the garage is it that serious of a concern? If so, am I going to have to take the battery out and put it in the house to charge it? Because that would just be a pain in the ass and take up more space in an already crowded house.

 

[Big R]

I would think that's Battery Tender's way of covering their asses. If I haven't blown myself up yet with all the crap out in my garage, I doubt a 12v battery is going to do it.

 

[Flugtechnik]

From what I undertand, this is the concern. If the pilot light on your gas water heater goes out, the gas can get out and fill your garage with a layer of gas at the floor. Then, if there is a spark, it could ignite the gas. There is a chance of creating a spark when you connect the charger to the battery.

Most modern gas water heaters have a safety that will shut off the gas if the pilot light goes out.

I have a gas water heater in my garage and I use a battery tender.

 

[Tim]

You start your car in the garage with the water heater in it. You start your bike in there too. Heck, you might even smoke in there. A battery tender is the least of your concerns

 

[charlesskelter]

You start your car in the garage with the water heater in it. You start your bike in there too. Heck, you might even smoke in there. A battery tender is the least of your concerns

Oddly enough, I do none of those. I always pull the bike out and then start it to prevent any overwhelming exhaust fumes, and my car will never have enough room to get in the garage unfortunately.

Thanks for the info guys, I was hoping it was just a c.y.a situation on thier part, but this is my first time ever having a gas heater too. I'll be hooking it up tonight.

 

[Tim]

You'll be hooking up the battery tender tonight right? Not the gas hot water heater? That is not a DIY job.

 

[charlesskelter]

;D Hahaha my roommate would be pissed if I killed the heater just to make sure the battery was fully charged on the Ninja... she's not like the ex. She just doesn't understand.

 

[hillsy]

From what I undertand, this is the concern. If the pilot light on your gas water heater goes out, the gas can get out and fill your garage with a layer of gas at the floor. Then, if there is a spark, it could ignite the gas. There is a chance of creating a spark when you connect the charger to the battery.

Most modern gas water heaters have a safety that will shut off the gas if the pilot light goes out.

I have a gas water heater in my garage and I use a battery tender.

You got it the wrong way around. The concern is that the gas water heater HAS a pilot light. The battery (under charging) exudes explosive gases. So you don't want to leave your battery on charge in the garage with a constant naked flame .....

 

[Wee Todd]

I have 5 batteries on the auto charge,,,,two bikes with gas in the tanks stuffed in a 12' by 20',,,,with the wood stove(semi airtight),,,blazing,,,,,,,,Im still typing ;D

 

[crazypj]

I have 5 batteries on the auto charge,,,,two bikes with gas in the tanks stuffed in a 12' by 20',,,,with the wood stove(semi airtight),,,blazing,,,,,,,,Im still typing ;D

If the stove is running constantly there wont be a problem as any gas produced is drawn through it, got to have airflow from somewhere to keep burning.
The problems arise from hydrogen gas produced by batteries when being charged.
Even GRT/sealed batteries allow some gas to vent.
If gas builds up because of bad ventilation, well, remember pictures of Hindenburg? (OK, so you'll have a lot less gas but it is valid)
I've only seen two batteries explode due to hydrogen igniting, (one from 50ft, one at very close range, about 12", should have let the idiot just get on with hurting himself, he did anyway :)

PJ

PJ

 

[hillsy]

Hoping for a Darwin award are we Todd ??

 

[boingk]

If gas builds up because of bad ventilation, well, remember pictures of Hindenburg?

Sorry guys, I felt compelled - boingk ;D

 

[Wee Todd]

Laughing my arse off ;D think about it! one SMALL battery,,bubbling away on a tickle charge,,come on, I don't think you should have any worries about duplicating the Hindenburg disaster in your garage,,,,,,as for the Darwin award : it would seem I'm the front runner