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Post by Foggy on May 13, 2021 14:53:14 GMT -6
I had my boat lift(s) and dock installed about 2 weeks ago. They keep the batteries charged over winter and install them in spring. Evidently the solar collector overcharged the battery sitting on my boat lift......and when I went to operate the lift the battery blew up. Sounded like both barrels fired from a shot gun. Very loud and blew the top and sides out of the battery and the top off the battery box. Very little acid left in the bottom of the battery box....maybe an inch? So much for this solar chit.  |
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Post by sd51555 on May 13, 2021 14:57:44 GMT -6
I had my boat lift(s) and dock installed about 2 weeks ago. They keep the batteries charged over winter and install them in spring. Evidently the solar collector overcharged the battery sitting on my boat lift......and when I went to operate the lift the battery blew up. Sounded like both barrels fired from a shot gun. Very loud and blew the top and sides out of the battery and the top off the battery box. Very little acid left in the bottom of the battery box....maybe an inch? So much for this solar chit. I think your charge controller failed, and you used a lead acid battery. |
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Post by Foggy on May 13, 2021 15:00:04 GMT -6
So the maker of these solar charging set-ups is based just south of Brainerd. I went there and they told me they did not have a solar controller in the past.....which would eliminate over-charging the battery. Still do not provide them today unless you pay them $75 for the item. I kinda told them to shove it.....as I needed two of 'em. Went to buy my battery at Mills Fleet.....and the guy showed me a 10 amp solar controller for $25 at Fleet. Bingo. Kinda pisses me off.....that they didn't have this in a solar charger.....and in two weeks it cooked my battery nearly dry....leaving me with a hydrogen bomb. You solar guys have been fore-warned. FORE! I would not have wanted that battery to blow in my face or any other part of my anatomy! It REALLY blew!  |
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Post by sd51555 on May 13, 2021 15:12:47 GMT -6
Why don't you just run a grid line down there?
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Post by Catscratch on May 13, 2021 15:54:32 GMT -6
Dman foggy, glad you didn't get hurt. Acid in the eyes is a scary thing.
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Post by kooch on May 13, 2021 15:59:29 GMT -6
I agree.
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Post by badgerfowl on May 13, 2021 16:07:20 GMT -6
I had my boat lift(s) and dock installed about 2 weeks ago. They keep the batteries charged over winter and install them in spring. Evidently the solar collector overcharged the battery sitting on my boat lift......and when I went to operate the lift the battery blew up. Sounded like both barrels fired from a shot gun. Very loud and blew the top and sides out of the battery and the top off the battery box. Very little acid left in the bottom of the battery box....maybe an inch? So much for this solar chit. Back in high school working at Jellystone. A buddy of mine was working on a battery with a wrench. He accidentally hit both terminals at the same time and she blew. He was hunched over it. I was a few feet away at least as well as another kid. It sounded like you describe. A gun going off. He ended up flying back a few feet. He definitely got acid on his clothes but no one seriously hurt. Lucked out for sure. Ever since then I hate batteries. Every year I hate hooking up the boat batteries. That scenario is burned into my memory every time I’m hunched over the damn things. I don’t have any tools around them but the fear of them blowing up like that is always there. |
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Post by Sandbur on May 13, 2021 16:53:16 GMT -6
Dman foggy, glad you didn't get hurt. Acid in the eyes is a scary thing. I had one farmer go blind from that. |
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Post by Foggy on May 13, 2021 17:02:44 GMT -6
Why don't you just run a grid line down there? I do now have grid power onto my dock. But when I bought these lifts this was (and still is) the way to go. I really dont like 110 volts on a dock over water.....but I do now run a 110 cord under my dock via zip ties and unplug it after charging the 24 volt trolling motor batteries on my fishing boat (usually it's and overnight thing - IF I fish - which is not too often). I have a 6000 lb Shore Station 12 volt elecrric / over hydrualic power lift. Dang thing is hell bent for strong and has survived two tornados. The solar charger came with the lift. I never knew I was making a fracking hydrogen bomb. (wonder if the FBI checks on words such as this?  ). The battery was about 10 feet away when it blew.....and I am glad I was not closer. Strangely.....there was not much for acid spray. Seemed to stay contained within the battery and the box. Even the lid of the battery box was dry. I seriously considered getting a current reducer for the grid power......to run to my two lifts......but some things aint worth it. Strange they would sell those solar units without a controller. Like the consumer really knows about this solar chit? I rest my case. |
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Post by caveman on May 14, 2021 4:46:17 GMT -6
Why don't you just run a grid line down there? I do now have grid power onto my dock. But when I bought these lifts this was (and still is) the way to go. I really dont like 110 volts on a dock over water.....but I do now run a 110 cord under my dock via zip ties and unplug it after charging the 24 volt trolling motor batteries on my fishing boat (usually it's and overnight thing - IF I fish - which is not too often). I have a 6000 lb Shore Station 12 volt elecrric / over hydrualic power lift. Dang thing is hell bent for strong and has survived two tornados. The solar charger came with the lift. I never knew I was making a fracking hydrogen bomb. (wonder if the FBI checks on words such as this? ). The battery was about 10 feet away when it blew.....and I am glad I was not closer. Strangely.....there was not much for acid spray. Seemed to stay contained within the battery and the box. Even the lid of the battery box was dry. I seriously considered getting a current reducer for the grid power......to run to my two lifts......but some things aint worth it. Strange they would sell those solar units without a controller. Like the consumer really knows about this solar chit? I rest my case. I deal a very little with Shore Station lifts and their solar charges (installed a couple this spring, a few in the past,) and you may want to ask them what they think happened. It was told to me that their solar charges won't even charge a battery up, only keep it charged. In order to improve the charge from your battery it should take hooking it to a real charger on 110v. Maybe they have changed things in recent years?? |
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Post by Tooln on May 14, 2021 6:37:02 GMT -6
I'm glad you or no one else got hurt. A new pair of shorts are easy to replace.
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Post by Foggy on May 14, 2021 6:49:45 GMT -6
I do now have grid power onto my dock. But when I bought these lifts this was (and still is) the way to go. I really dont like 110 volts on a dock over water.....but I do now run a 110 cord under my dock via zip ties and unplug it after charging the 24 volt trolling motor batteries on my fishing boat (usually it's and overnight thing - IF I fish - which is not too often). I have a 6000 lb Shore Station 12 volt elecrric / over hydrualic power lift. Dang thing is hell bent for strong and has survived two tornados. The solar charger came with the lift. I never knew I was making a fracking hydrogen bomb. (wonder if the FBI checks on words such as this? ). The battery was about 10 feet away when it blew.....and I am glad I was not closer. Strangely.....there was not much for acid spray. Seemed to stay contained within the battery and the box. Even the lid of the battery box was dry. I seriously considered getting a current reducer for the grid power......to run to my two lifts......but some things aint worth it. Strange they would sell those solar units without a controller. Like the consumer really knows about this solar chit? I rest my case. I deal a very little with Shore Station lifts and their solar charges (installed a couple this spring, a few in the past,) and you may want to ask them what they think happened. It was told to me that their solar charges won't even charge a battery up, only keep it charged. In order to improve the charge from your battery it should take hooking it to a real charger on 110v. Maybe they have changed things in recent years?? I've had the ShoreStation hoist for over ten years. Has always kept my battery charged and operates the lift numerous times each day. Works great....till this. |
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). The battery was about 10 feet away when it blew.....and I am glad I was not closer. Strangely.....there was not much for acid spray. Seemed to stay contained within the battery and the box. Even the lid of the battery box was dry. 
