I'm at work and I work by myself from about 5pm until 11pm. So, usually that's fine and dandy, but what if I get hurt? Or die or something. Well, guess it'll be my time, huh? Yep. I usually don't mind that fact, but when I'm given a job to do that has some risk involved, it's a bit hard to motivate myself to go and do it. Case and point: I was asked to clean off the large batteries we have and add water to them.
Hm.. batteries? no problem, except that just a couple days ago a classmate of mine said, "batteries are scary.. *mumble* explode.." huh? explode? Batteries? hmm.. well, they already have acid and electricity, now add 'explosive' to the list of risks involved. hmm.. so i'm to clean and fill the batteries. riiight. ok. i'm going. um.. what to use and how much don't i know? I don't want to use water.. it might bridge the circuit, shazzam. So a wire brush. Works great. is the dust powdered acid? will it burn once it has water? why does my nose itch and sting. sour taste in my mouth, acid is sour.. hm. no, luke, you're fine. hypochodriatic tendencies.. hm.. warning label: blindness, explosive gases, shock. yup.
So I realized I needed a better reason (or an added reason) than the one I had i.e. "do it because we asked you to." Risk, i'd rather take the risk than someone who has a family. In most cases, I'd prefer to suffer than to have someone else suffer. That's what I usually fall back on when a time comes for being brave or taking risk. So I'll finish filling the batteries tomorrow. maybe by that time someone will post about safety when filling batteries. or tell me I'm silly for being so nervous about it.
4 comments:
No doubt, batteries are kinda scary. I had to fill and charge the boat battery about md summer, and I think I overfilled it. When I cam back to the garage, there was a funky smell, and the battery was warm. It had alo leaked, and by that time I knew that the tuff coing out wa acid. No explosion, but I wondered if I would be woken in the night by the garage being engulfed in flames.
I asked Ken Hohulin because Dad isnot here rightnow, andhe said it rarely happens that a battery explodes. Battery acid is the thing to avoid, he said. An explosion is more likely to happen (but not very likely) if the batery is in use, like something is running from it, than if it is just a standby battery, sitting there doing nothing. You will probably not be a martyr to the battery cause, but maybe there is someone you work for who should be telling you more about what to do. Never be afraid to ask questions!
Very useful comments! Thanks much and I'll go and fill those batteries in a moment. We distill our own water here, rev-osmosis, and so I'll fetch some of that. The wirebrush did work well for cleaning off the tops of the batteries, though the 'dust' was a mild irritant (acidic probably). Was foolish and took a shower in the morning (should have taken one asap after work), but am alive. (c: So no problems there.
I did ask if there was anything special I should know about handling batteries and they said, 'no' but be careful. Ah ok. I think they must have the (good) impression that I'm already up to a good standard of mechanical skill (which I'm not confident that I am). Yup. I'll wash off any splashes as they occur, rob. Thanks for the good advice!
Well, to conclude this blog post, and the comments, I overfilled the battery, I guess. Much as Daniel did. The acid came up and covered around the caps, so I went and dried it up with some paper towels, washed them well with water for a while, and threw them away. Not really perfectly clean on top of the batteries, but no explosions or huge bolts of electricity flying around. (c: I guess I lived, right? lol! Got a little bit of acid on my hands, but that's washed off. Thanks again for all the helpful advice!
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