While on a stiff tack Saturday, one of my batteries broke loose of the straps and the acid spilled out. Luckily, most of it went into a plastic tub on top of the holding tank, but I fear some slithered down the sides and into the abyss. On a Hunter 29.5, where does this stuff go and what's the potential damage? Meanwhile, I refilled the battery with almost a gallon of distilled water and charged it overnight, back to 12.3. Does that sound right? Thanks.
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Don't kinow where it goes....
but I'd flush with a lot of fresh water. Presumably it will all end up in the bilge where it will be pumped out but plenty of water should dillute it so that it won't do any harm. The acid definitely won't like your aluminum holding tank. Once I had an accidental holding tank overflow, and this was the method I used to flush it clean.
but I'd flush with a lot of fresh water. Presumably it will all end up in the bilge where it will be pumped out but plenty of water should dillute it so that it won't do any harm. The acid definitely won't like your aluminum holding tank. Once I had an accidental holding tank overflow, and this was the method I used to flush it clean.
spilled acid
a water washdown is the right idea, but make a strong solution of baking soda and flush with that-the baking soda will neutralize the acid (it'll fizz) and any excess won't do any harm
a water washdown is the right idea, but make a strong solution of baking soda and flush with that-the baking soda will neutralize the acid (it'll fizz) and any excess won't do any harm
If you spill acid out of a battery
assuming the battery was close to a full charge you should replace the spilled electrolyte with battery acid, not just distilled water. If you put just distilled water in the battery, remove the battery, dump out all the electrolyte into an appropriate container, and fill with new electrolyte. Otherwise, kiss your battery goodbye(not literally). Dispose of all the old stuff by neutralizing with baking soda. once neutralized it can be dumped down the drain, flush out your battery storage area and bilge and anything else in question with a baking soda solution and LOTS of water.
assuming the battery was close to a full charge you should replace the spilled electrolyte with battery acid, not just distilled water. If you put just distilled water in the battery, remove the battery, dump out all the electrolyte into an appropriate container, and fill with new electrolyte. Otherwise, kiss your battery goodbye(not literally). Dispose of all the old stuff by neutralizing with baking soda. once neutralized it can be dumped down the drain, flush out your battery storage area and bilge and anything else in question with a baking soda solution and LOTS of water.
No one really knows.
Bill: No one really know were it goes. I would suggest that you just flush the entire area with a lot of fresh water. It it would make you feel better, then mix some baking soda with the water and pour it into the area. I really do not think that it is really necessary if you run 5-10 gals of water into the area. You should be able to see the water running into the bilge area. This is without a doubt an endorsement for AGM or GEL batteries. It is usually not a problem until something like this happens.
Bill: No one really know were it goes. I would suggest that you just flush the entire area with a lot of fresh water. It it would make you feel better, then mix some baking soda with the water and pour it into the area. I really do not think that it is really necessary if you run 5-10 gals of water into the area. You should be able to see the water running into the bilge area. This is without a doubt an endorsement for AGM or GEL batteries. It is usually not a problem until something like this happens.
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