Happy Easter and welcome to Packard Motor Car Information! If you're new here, please register for a free account.  
Login
Username:

Password:

Remember me



Lost Password?

Register now!
FAQ's
Main Menu
Recent Forum Topics
Who is Online
154 user(s) are online (90 user(s) are browsing Forums)

Members: 0
Guests: 154

more...
Helping out...
PackardInfo is a free resource for Packard Owners that is completely supported by user donations. If you can help out, that would be great!

Donate via PayPal
Video Content
Visit PackardInfo.com YouTube Playlist

Donate via PayPal



« 1 ... 42 43 44 (45)

Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Forum Ambassador
Forum Ambassador

Owen_Dyneto
See User information
Remember the Hindenberg? Hydrogen gas is dangerous!!! You're very fortunate no one was injured, and hopefully a lesson has been learned.

Did you check the electrolyte level before you started charging? Check to make sure the battery actually needed charging? Left the cell caps loose or at least made sure the vents were open? What charging rate? Monitored the charging progress at intervals?

IMO the best way to monitor the health of a lead/acid 6-volt battery is with an electrolyte hydrometer, if you don't have one I suggest you get one and learn how to use it.

Posted on: 2020/12/7 20:03
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

John
See User information
Heard mention of a battery exploding, but never seen it... Luckily no damage to the car....

Posted on: 2020/12/8 9:25
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

kevinpackard
See User information
Wow, glad it wasn't worse. Forgive my ignorance, but is one supposed to routinely open vents when charging a battery? I've never done it or seen it done when charging batteries. I'm assuming those vents are the caps on the top? Whenever I've charged my battery I've always been around, never left it unattended overnight, but have never done any of the other things mentioned.

-Kevin

Posted on: 2020/12/8 13:02
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Forum Ambassador
Forum Ambassador

Owen_Dyneto
See User information
Auto Shop 101 from high school, charging batteries produces flammable hydrogen gas. The caps should have a vent hole in them, make sure it's clear and if uncertain, loosen or remove the caps. You have to remove them anyway to check the electrolyte level before charging, safest thing especially if using a high charging rate is to leave them off.

Hydrogen gas is lighter than air, so don't charge with the battery in an enclosed or partially enclosed area, you want the hydrogen to rise and rapidly dissipate into the surrounding atmosphere.

Posted on: 2020/12/8 14:22
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

Packard Don
See User information
I've never or rarely loosened the caps either and have often charged (if outside and overnight) with the hood down. Maybe it's time I change my ways! Of course, if the battery is already marginal and/or has no acid in it just about anything is possible.

Posted on: 2020/12/8 14:43
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Quite a regular
Quite a regular

gene
See User information
I just learned the hard way by overfilling my battery and having to clean all the acid leakage down the side. It came out the vent holes in the top of the cap. A real nightmare to clean out.

Posted on: 2020/12/9 0:21
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

Packard Don
See User information
Typically you top off a battery with distilled water but you would need hydrometer (and the knowledge to use it) to know whether it needs water or acid.

Posted on: 2020/12/9 2:47
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

John
See User information
Usually when you look down in the hole where the battery caps were on, you'll see a slot at the bottom of each tube. You fill the battery to just the bottom of this slot.

John

Posted on: 2020/12/9 9:29
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Forum Ambassador
Forum Ambassador

Owen_Dyneto
See User information
As ptv says, all such batteries have some indicator of the proper fill level. When in doubt and pending confirming the correct electrolyte level, a safe level is that which JUST covers the tops of the lead plates and separators. And never allow the level to fall below the tops of the plates.

Posted on: 2020/12/9 10:06
 Top  Print 
 


Re: 51Packards....52 Packard 200 Deluxe!
Home away from home
Home away from home

Charles
See User information
7/12/2021

Well after over a year of sitting, I finally took the car out for a little drive around the neighborhood. The carb is acting funny. It has too high of an idle despite running perfectly when parked. Gave it some gas going around a corner and had a small backfire. I guess it's time to go over tune up settings.

Posted on: 2021/7/12 12:24
[url=h
 Top  Print 
 




« 1 ... 42 43 44 (45)




Search
Recent Photos
Photo of the Day
Recent Registry
Website Comments or Questions?? Click Here Copyright 2006-2024, PackardInfo.com All Rights Reserved