Who's a lucky boy then

[lawrie]

Several years ago I shoved a 200watt solar panel on one of my workshops & hooked it up to a 24v inverter/charger, simply to have a mains supply t'other side of the garden.
Been working fine since, but a few days ago, the system shut down, started to sound an alarm & show 'fault' on the panel. couldn't find anything wrong, so re-set the system, all seemed ok, then again yesterday, it happened again, switched off the main isolator & then unit, turned around & BAM!! Like a f***king grenade going off, engulfed in smoke/acid/crap everywhere, & staggered outside, so loud was the bang that 'er-indoors came flying round!!
Gathered myself together & went back inside, one of 2 110ah sealed batteries had exploded, the top was embedded in the roof insulation.
I don't know if the 'fault' was the inverter or battery, but the real scary thing is that literally ONE SECOND earlier I was leaning over with my head about 1 metre above the batteries.
I think that system is about to be dismantled, quit while i'm ahead!!   

[Mick_J]

Lucky escape Lawrie, could have been very nasty.  If I were you I'd nip out and buy a lottery ticket while your luck is in 

[froudy]

WOW...Very lucky escape there!!

[VladTepes]

Bloody hell ! A lucky escape for sure.

[KiwiCol]

Very nasty indeed.  Heard of batteries exploding but never actually seen one.  The system would probably be fine with new batteries Lawrie.  The battery that exploded would appear to have had a short internally & ignited the gas.  New battery & get system checked.

Damn lucky escape though.

[Notty]

OMG !!! we could have been one member down 

[Blubber]

Wow... indeed lucky

[Irish in Oz]

Very lucky indeed, I've seen a few go off over the years fortunately no one badly injured. You usually have a sulphur smell (rotten eggs), I've have even smelt it from sealed batteries if they have been over charged.

[Andre]

I am glad you were not hurt Lawrie

[grog]

Very lucky mate.

[Roo]

Very nasty indeed.  Heard of batteries exploding but never actually seen one.  The system would probably be fine with new batteries Lawrie.  The battery that exploded would appear to have had a short internally & ignited the gas.  New battery & get system checked.

Damn lucky escape though.

Lucky indeed, imagine having your swede over the batt at the wrong time !    Buy a lotto !

[VladTepes]

OMG !!! we could have been one member down 

yeah, but only Lawrie... 

[lawrie]

OMG !!! we could have been one member down 

yeah, but only Lawrie... 

OI, I resemble that remark.

On a 'lighter note, as i'm an old git, been wearing hearing-aids for a couple of years, (Led Zep, Who concerts ) & had them on during said 'event'  and they AMPLIFY don't they!! 
Whistling/popping/ crackling in my head since, went to kwack, now I got burst eardrums!!  SPEAKUP for fs

[KiwiCol]

Geez Lawrie, that's not good at all. Did he say how long it'd take for them to mend?

[Mick_J]

turned around & BAM!! Like a f***king grenade going off, engulfed in smoke/acid/crap everywhere, & staggered outside, so loud was the bang that 'er-indoors came flying round!!


Was that to see if you were okay or to check if your insurance was up to date and where is the policy hidden.