Ford 5000 battery swelled

Kawookie · Jun 14, 2020

Howdy folks.. so had a problem while cutting hay.. could smell sulfur but when I got out and checked I couldn't see anything wrong.. about 3 hrs later I could smell it again and seem the battery was starting to swell and warm.. so obviously its overcharging...should i be checking something or just assume it was the battery fault??? thanks

rew1953 · Jun 14, 2020

Batteries do not do that by themselves. Check the voltage regulator output. If it is above 14.5 volts it is bad. If the case is swelling, you are very close to having a battery explodw, covering everything with concentrated sulfuric acid, which is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns to the skin in seconds. Do not let this go. Test immediately, before using the tractor again.

Janicholson · Jun 14, 2020

Assuming you let it cool and then removed the battery, Check the voltage across the terminals if it is 12.6, it is worthy of testing further. If it is a sealed battery with no access to the cells, load testing is about all you can do At an autoparts store/battery store. If it has caps, or two mult cell caps, it can be checked. easily with a hygrometer. Battery specific gravity tester. Even a cheap floating ball tester for batteries will be fine. all the cells should be floating the same number of balls. All cells should have the same clarity of electrolyte. If they differ, it is not worthy of putting additional effort into.
If the voltage is down below 12.4 I would just replace it before spending any more effort. With a new (or known good) battery in the tractor, the charging voltage, at 1/2 throttle, should be between 13.9 and 14.2 if the good battery is pretty well charged. And not over 14.6 if fully charged. Jim

Leroy · Jun 14, 2020

If it has swelled the case is already bad so no reason to chance having it blow up in your face while checking it.

Kawookie · Jun 14, 2020

I allowed the tractor to cool overnight and yes voltage across the terminals with tractor running is 16.4 so guess I will need a new battery and i assume a new voltage regulator

rew1953 · Jun 14, 2020

Very wise to replace both at this time. Not worth the risk of a battery exploding. Recheck after the new parts are installed to make sure tge system is okay.

Janicholson · Jun 14, 2020

For sure. Jim

David G · Jun 14, 2020

It could be overcharging, or a battery with internal short that is creating heat. I have had a battery explode, it is nothing to mess with, good luck.

paul · Jun 14, 2020

I had one explode on the Ford 960, battery under the dash as you lean forward to press the starter. Lost my hearing for a second, top was laying 50 feet from the tractor.

A memorable experience, we don’t realize the power packed in there with the hydrogen potential.

You won’t forget if it happens to you.

Paul

FBH44 · Jun 14, 2020

Parked my Chevy pickup along the street, doing a Code inspection, got back inside and turned the key; BLAMMM!!!! Truck rocked left to right hard. I thought I'd been shot with a 12 gage. Seriously. Acid everywhere.

Leroy · Jun 14, 2020

My battery that exploded was in a 68 Ford 4000, battery was under hood enough did not get hit with anything.

Kawookie · Jun 16, 2020

Thanks everyone... tractor better now with the new regulator and battery.. 13.7volts

buickanddeere · Jun 17, 2020

As previously stated . Replace the battery before it blows acid all over your tractor .

Ford 5000 battery swelled

Kawookie

Member

rew1953

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

Kawookie

Member

rew1953

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

paul

Well-known Member

FBH44

Well-known Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

Kawookie

Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

Similar threads