Battery Blew Up!

DucDucGoose · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 12:55 AM

1996 SSCR 900 owned since new w/15k on it. Battery was about 3 months old but didn't seem to be holding a charge or recharging completely after riding(that's why I replaced the old one). Had just finished a quick, 30 min. ride and hopped off the bike to open up the garage(left it idling). Got back on, blip the throttle and BOOM!! This was a major explosion. Cracked both sides of the battery and blew half the top off. Glad it happened at home so I could give it the baking soda treatment but.... Anyway, anybody have this happen to them or have any idea why. All the caps were tight, vent hose on and unobstructed, no visable signs of a short and the bike was still running after it blew.

Thanks

redduck · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 02:16 AM

I would have said vent hose, but you already indicated it was clear. Maybe the vent was clogged internal to the battery? Did you notice if the battery was hot? Is your system over charging?

edwyun · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 02:46 AM

Wow, it could have been much worse. Glad you're ok.

I would think the battery was being overcharged by the regulator/rectifier. If overcharging, you need to find out why.

Also, check the wires from the alternator to the R/R. That's where I'd start first.

DucDucGoose · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 03:49 AM

Yeah, I didn't get a chance to see if the battery was hot but there was lots of smoke and I had a pretty clear view of the internal venting since the top was off and it looked OK. I was thinking the R/R also and will have to delve into that. Any good way to check without risking life and limb or should I just get a new one? I was thinking of getting a new one anyway because it seemed it was not recharging the battery while riding. Maybe it tried to make up for it all at once?

Thanks

Zone_tr · #5 (**permalink**) 09-15-2005, 02:10 PM

The same thing happend to me too.. but I was on the bike when it happend. A pretty big BOOM! Anyway, I can guarantee you that it is the regulator. From what I've heard it's supposed to be problems with a lot of the "old" regulators on SS. I got a new one from the local Ducati store and a new battery, and now everything works fine. Good luck!