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Topic: 9V Battery Explosion (Read 344 times) previous topic - next topic
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9V Battery Explosion
About 3 weeks ago when I winterized our LD, I changed the 9V battery on the water detection alarm on the floor by the water pump. I placed the old battery on the ledge by the bedroom TV shelf. Visiting the LD yesterday, I noticed a collection of stuff which I thought at first glance was from a mouse nest. Then I saw the battery on the floor. It was then obvious that the battery had exploded, something I've never experienced before. The battery was at least 6-7 years old but did not show signs of deterioration when I removed it. To you techies out there in LD land, what could have cause this explosion? Could this have caused a fire? Temps have ranged from 80* to 20* in the past 3 weeks.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #2 –
Looking closely at the photo, it appears there was a small fire. The bottom of the door looks burnt and their is what looks to be a trim piece sagging, under the door.
I have no idea why, wonder if the freeze/thaw cycling might have something to do with it?
Batteries store a lot of energy, in a small volume, so when they short out, fires and explosions can happen.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
Looking closely at the photo, it appears there was a small fire. The bottom of the door looks burnt and their is what looks to be a trim piece sagging, under the door.
I have no idea why, wonder if the freeze/thaw cycling might have something to do with it?
Batteries store a lot of energy, in a small volume, so when they short out, fires and explosions can happen.

Larry
Fortunately, there was no fire. The photo does make it appear there could have been. Those are smudges and a streak from my dragging my fingers through the mess.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #4 –
A comment on the battery disposal advice contained in the above-linked article: disposal of batteries (and a lot of other stuff) in household trash is not permitted in California. People might want to check "toxic waste" disposal laws in their local areas.

Wastes Banned From The Trash

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #5 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
Chris,  I've never experienced an alkaline battery explosion (it was an alkaline and not a lithium ion battery, right?), but maybe this article will help?

13 Investigates exploding alkaline batteries - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Joan
Thanks, Joan. I wondered about that "trash" comment in the article. The article doesn't account for my experience so I will just write it off as one of Nature's Fireworks.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #7 –
Yikes! I have, for quite some time now, been depositing my used Alkaline batteries in a plastic jug under the S&B's kitchen sink.

Time to make the move and get them the heck outta Dodge before they blow up my house.

Who knew?

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #8 –
Indeed, I throw mine in a plastic bag in a small crock on the kitchen floor to take to the toxic waste disposal day our city-owned utility company does 1-2 times per year...time for a better plan.  Chris, thanks for the alert & starting this important discussion.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: 9V Battery Explosion
Reply #10 –
Yes,  I have heard of this before .  Tape the terminals upon removal from service.   Don't plug them together, that is an 18 volts short circuit.  I have seen one posting where a fire fighter's house burned down the day after the "Semi Annual Fire Detector  Battery Replacement Project; the cause  9 volt batteries shorted in the disposal bucket. 

After all there are 6 little fire crackers in the little square can.

Rod
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath