Scary thing happened need advice

News:

  • Home
  • Help
  • Chat
  • Login
  • Register

    • « previous next »
    Pages: [1] 2

    Author Topic: Scary thing happened need advice  (Read 2903 times)

    Offline cudasteve72

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 319
    Scary thing happened need advice
    « on: June 23, 2018 - 02:05:36 PM »
    So me and the little man were out cruising this morning at a stop light about an hour into the cruise we hear a loud bang.  We get pulled over drove fine, pop the hood and the battery exploded.  We get some water on the spill get the battery out and replaced in a parking lot.  What I need help with is figuring out why.  I have 2 theory’s maybe you guys know better. Over charging.  Small block, not sure if it has correct pulleys on it, my autometer volt meter is buried at 18 while cruising.  Does the voltage regulator control charge to battery could that be bad?

    TIA
    Logged
    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)


    Offline GoodysGotaCuda

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 5392
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #1 on: June 23, 2018 - 06:23:15 PM »
    Voltage regulators can certainly lead to overcharging and grenading a battery.
    Logged
    Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
    1976 Dodge Warlock
    1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

    Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

    Offline jhaag

    • Full Member
    • ***
    • Posts: 616
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #2 on: June 23, 2018 - 10:41:05 PM »
    Yes and 18 volts at cruise was your first clue!
    Logged
    love 70 Challengers

    Offline 734406pk

    • Andy
    • Sr. Member
    • ****
    • Posts: 1716
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #3 on: June 24, 2018 - 02:11:57 AM »
    Quote from: cudasteve72 on June 23, 2018 - 02:05:36 PM
    So me and the little man were out cruising this morning at a stop light about an hour into the cruise we hear a loud bang.  We get pulled over drove fine, pop the hood and the battery exploded.  We get some water on the spill get the battery out and replaced in a parking lot.  What I need help with is figuring out why.  I have 2 theory’s maybe you guys know better. Over charging.  Small block, not sure if it has correct pulleys on it, my autometer volt meter is buried at 18 while cruising.  Does the voltage regulator control charge to battery could that be bad?

    TIA

     Hello cudasteve72! It sure sounds like you have an overcharging issue! Not uncommon with e-bodies. Yes, over voltage can cause a battery to explode... This is not good,as an over voltage may cause even your new battery to do the same, unfortunately. Do you want to diagnose this issue yourself (with c-c.com guidance) or have a repair shop handle it? 
    Logged
    1973 Challenger 440 6 pack auto 3.91 rear
    2012 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 6.7 Cummins Fleece EFI Live
    1973 Challenger 318 2bbl auto 2.73 rear 22.5 mpg RIP
    1970 Challenger TA 340 4bbl auto-Sold and sad
    1999 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 5.9 Cummins Fleece tuned VGT-sold
    1995 Kawasaki ZX1100E & still alive

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #4 on: June 24, 2018 - 11:50:09 AM »
    First, clean everything really well, might use some baking soda to neutralize the battery acid. Change out the VR and see what voltage you get. The VR controls this so dont worry too much about how fast the alternator is turning.
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline cudasteve72

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 319
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #5 on: June 24, 2018 - 10:55:58 PM »
    Tried a new regulator today no change.  Checked all my wiring (painless) every thing seems good.  If I had the field on the alternator wired backward could this happen. Don’t think I do but alternator is my next route.
    Logged
    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #6 on: June 25, 2018 - 12:20:08 AM »
    I am pretty sure the fields can be wired either way and I don't think that isnt causing your overcharging issue. What alternator are you using? the VR is designed to control this (hence the name, regulator). When you say you checked it, did you install a new one or a used one? Maybe you have a condition that is killing the VR and allowing the overcharge to occur.
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline 73440

    • Sr. Member
    • ****
    • Posts: 1826
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #7 on: June 25, 2018 - 12:23:04 AM »
    Check that you have a good ground on the VR,
    Logged
    67 440
    72 413 / 727
    73 Barracuda w/ 68 440
    65 Plymouth Fury III , I sold ,was my Nana's car till 92 yo.
    51 Ford F1 239 Flathead, flipped , new cab , stolen
    59 BelAir 283 4 door original patina
    01 Chevy van 420, 520 miles
    06 Crown Vic Police Interceptor
    75 HD Ironhead converted to RH shift
    73 HD Ironhead
    82 HD Ironhead
    74 Norton 850
    80 HD Shovelhead
    80 Husqvarna WR 390

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #8 on: June 25, 2018 - 12:26:20 AM »
     :iagree: x 2

    They are held in with crappy sheet metal screws that corrode and lose contact. I always change mine out with rivnuts so I can use a machine screw and I always sand the back of them and the firewall to ensure contact.
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline 73440

    • Sr. Member
    • ****
    • Posts: 1826
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #9 on: June 25, 2018 - 12:44:33 AM »
    Yes, I would like to replace mine with the rivnuts also.

    Found this info :http://bronek.org/sailing/zamindar/resources/Alternator-regulator%20troubleshooting.pdf
    I have never tested using the magnetic pull before .
    « Last Edit: June 25, 2018 - 01:09:42 AM by 73440 »
    Logged
    67 440
    72 413 / 727
    73 Barracuda w/ 68 440
    65 Plymouth Fury III , I sold ,was my Nana's car till 92 yo.
    51 Ford F1 239 Flathead, flipped , new cab , stolen
    59 BelAir 283 4 door original patina
    01 Chevy van 420, 520 miles
    06 Crown Vic Police Interceptor
    75 HD Ironhead converted to RH shift
    73 HD Ironhead
    82 HD Ironhead
    74 Norton 850
    80 HD Shovelhead
    80 Husqvarna WR 390

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #10 on: June 25, 2018 - 11:38:36 AM »
    Interesting but I would just replace it if you think its bad. You can remove it and take it to any local auto parts store and they can test it for you.
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline cudasteve72

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 319
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #11 on: June 25, 2018 - 08:25:56 PM »
    If I have an older style alternator do I need to run a mechanical regulator
    Logged
    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #12 on: June 25, 2018 - 08:41:30 PM »
    What do you mean "older style"? has this set up ever worked or is this a new built/repair?
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline cudasteve72

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 319
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #13 on: June 25, 2018 - 09:33:29 PM »
    1800 mi on fresh build here is the alternator I’m running https://goo.gl/images/S6UWJH
    Logged
    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

    Offline 70chall440

    • Sr. Resident
    • ******
    • Posts: 6484
    Re: Scary thing happened need advice
    « Reply #14 on: June 26, 2018 - 12:13:11 AM »
    Ok so you are running a Mopar square back style alternator; you should be fine with a electronic VR. The system is pretty straight forward, the alternator produces power and the voltage regulator regulates it to an acceptable limit. That said, the alternator shouldn't be producing 18V.

    Here is what I would do, I'd get a brand new alternator and a brand now VR and install them. If you dont want to do that, then get the alternator tested, if it tests out then it has to be the VR. I can tell you that I have bought defective brand new VRs more than once.
    Logged
    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)
    Pages: [1] 2
    « previous next »