<VV> Battery on fire

[Mark Clarke]

Charlie,

I don't think that it is the battery cable since the cable appears to be in
good shape.  Perhaps it's a faulty voltage regulator causing an overcharging
condition as JR suggests.  I will be sure to check the voltage output after
I install a replacement battery.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Mark Clarke
'63 Monza convertible, 84 hp, pg

On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 10:32 PM, Charles Lee <chaz at properproper.com> wrote:

> Mark,
>
> Could it have been the battery cable ?  If the cable rubs on the
> chassis, after wearing through the grommet, it could try to do an "arc
> weld" and set a fire ?
>
> I had this happen to me in a late model, where there is a lot more room
> for the battery to move, and it actually cut about a 3" hole as it
> "sawed" through the chassis, and finally burst into flames.
>
> I too thought it was someone else, until I stopped and saw the billows
> of black smoke out the rear vents !
>
> I didn't have any water, and I blew it out.  Good thing I don't smoke !
>
> Charlie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
> [mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Mark Clarke
> Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 8:24 PM
> To: Virtual Vairs
> Subject: <VV> Battery on fire
>
>
>  I had a rather unusual experience today while driving my '63 Monza
> convertible.  After driving my car for about 5 minutes, I thought that I
> smelled a burning odor.  I was hoping that it was another car, but since
> the odor persisted, I decided to pull over to make sure that I hadn't
> thrown a fan belt.  Much to my surprise (and horror), my battery was on
> fire in the engine compartment.  I am not talking sparks, but rather
> shooting flames and smoke.  I immediately shut the car off and doused
> the flames with a bottled water that I had on hand.  Since I was only
> about 2 miles from home, I decided to see if the car would start so that
> I could get it back home.  It started with no problem and I was able to
> make it home without further incident.
>
> I wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts as to what may have caused
> the battery to go up in flames.  I have heard of exploding batteries,
> but have never heard of one catching on fire.  As far as background
> information, the battery (an Interstate model) was approximately 3 years
> old.  I must confess that I had not recently checked it to make sure the
> cells had plenty of water, but neither had I experienced any issues with
> starting the car. Although not a daily driver, I had just taken it on an
> 800 mile round trip to Oklahoma City (from Houston) for the Great Plains
> roundup and I experienced no problems on the trip.
>
> Any thoughts, comments or input is greatly appreciated.
>
> Mark Clarke
> President. Corvair Houston
> '63 Monza Convertible, 84 hp, pg
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