Re: Almost electrocuted while installing new batteries

 wrote:

|>
|>>I just tried installing new batteries in my ultralite 355 mobility
|>> scooter and found the wires on the other battery to spark up as soon
|>> as I tried to attach the wire.
|>>
|>> Im assuming the only way this could of happened was if that battery
|>> had already been charged ?
|>>
|>> This is the company I bought them from.
|>>
|>> http://www.discountscooters.co.uk
|>>
|>>
|>> thanks
|>>
|>> matt
|>
|>These are likely to be lead-acid gel batteries. They have to be stored
|>charged, otherwise they deteriorate rapidly, and so will have charge in them
|>when delivered. You should still charge them up fully before running them.
|>

Yep they aren't nicads or lim types.....yet.....

For these kinds of scoots and eco ones:

    It has to be a REAL Gel battery VRLA, Gels are not starting
batteries, they are ^running^ batteries, with a very low CCA...less than
115cca.....

    Just "Lead Acid" usually means just WET, but could be a good real
AGM....wet cells cost more because they are more expensive to im/export due
to the hazardous chemical, *unlike AGM* which is a sponge INERT/suspended
battery and most are easily recyclable....

    A Yamaha GT9B-4 for a Majesty or R6/7 is a ^wet cell^ built like a
stone, but costing up to 5x as much as refurbed AGM, and I doubt if the
Yamaha dealer is getting NEW BATTS, but the recycled numbers are
progressive, and don't last as long as the Manufacturers originate.  

|>If you got a spark when connecting the battery, there must be a circuit, so
|>either something is switched on, or there was a short circuit.
|>

    Gotta follow that closely from source to spark....although, these
batteries are not made to be regularly removed, so it mat be almost normal
for it to react that way......is this their idea of a continuous ground
circuit (brown wire)?....... what does the manufacturer say.....

    When U charge a vehicle battery, do U leave both terms on or just
remove the (-) terminal and attach the charger to that and (+)....an older
vehicle is to charge to the frame and attach to the (+) terminal....

    I prefer remove the (-) terminal and attach the charger to that and
(+) terminal......

 There is no way you will get electrocuted from these batteries.
What you MUST watch out for is shorting out the battery
with a ring on your finger or a metal watch strap.
These batteries have no voltage for electrocution but
can output massive current which can heat up or melt
anything conductive.

Mick L

 
However, if your skin is moist, you may still feel a slight *galvanic*
twitch
from low voltage current stimulating your muscles when you contact
the battery terminals.

I have worked around high voltage power transmission lines that carry
up to 500,000 volts.

While walking around in high voltage switchyards the slightest
contact with metal control cabinets would result in the galvanic
twitch, because the electromagnetic fields surrounding the power
cables would induce tiny currents into the metal.

 Mick L wrote:

thats how i learned not to put a 9v battery in my pocket with coins.

 

A friend of mine who was into R/C electric powered models/racing cars
dropped a set of keys into an outside anorak pocket. Suddenly the keys
dropped out of the outside of his pocket. He forgot the 7.2 nicad C
battery pack in there. Shorting across the keys they got hot enough
to melt the anorak pocket!

Mick L