dreaded battery leak

[tman1020]

almost 100 hours now, just finished bush hogging a clearing and was cleaning off tractor with air compressor when i spotted it. battery acid leaking out and down my grill. that sucks.. i guess ill be buying a new battery now. any suggestions ?

 

[k0ua]

almost 100 hours now, just finished bush hogging a clearing and was cleaning off tractor with air compressor when i spotted it. battery acid leaking out and down my grill. that sucks.. i guess ill be buying a new battery now. any suggestions ?

Lots of baking soda and water, over and over until the soda and water mixture does not fizz even a little bit. Then when you get the new battery installed, check the charging voltage.. It might be high causing the battery to crack from build up of hydrogen gas pressure. It could just be a crack from vibration too, but be sure to check that voltage.

 

[Coyote machine]

Why is it leaking? Is it overcharging? If so, the battery is NOT the problem.
Until you know what's the problem, use gloves and goggles to handle the battery. If it's over 14.5 volts when running, then it's likely overcharging, UNLESS there is a cracked battery case or similar.

 

[tman1020]

thank you i will check voltage tomorrow. this may sound dumb but what if it is over 14.5 volts whats the remedy? i have read many posts on here about stock bobcat batteries leaking and was warned of this. i think that is the only reason that i caught it. i have been watching it pretty close. i was just hoping that it had been solved by this model year(2012).

 

[k0ua]

thank you i will check voltage tomorrow. this may sound dumb but what if it is over 14.5 volts whats the remedy? i have read many posts on here about stock bobcat batteries leaking and was warned of this. i think that is the only reason that i caught it. i have been watching it pretty close. i was just hoping that it had been solved by this model year(2012).

Unfortunatly if it is over 14.5 volts I am afraid you are either going to have to replace the alternator (it has a built in regulator) or have it rebuilt.

 

[tman1020]

darn thats what i thought u were going to say. well if thats the prob. i would think that should be a warranty fix. but u never know. ill also give bobcat a call tomorrow.. one thing for sure if it is a poor quality battery causing the prob i definitely don't want another one thats the same.

 

[Coyote machine]

Unfortunatly if it is over 14.5 volts I am afraid you are either going to have to replace the alternator (it has a built in regulator) or have it rebuilt.

And possibly, (most likely) have to replace the battery too since, unless the battery case is cracked and causing the acid to leak out, the overcharging is boiling the battery, thus creating explosive, caustic gas to be present in higher than normal quantities, and putting you in danger of the battery exploding at any time, especially when the tractor is running.
Best approach is carefully spread baking soda over the entire battery and then lightly hose it off. Then connect your meter to the battery posts and start the tractor. Read the output voltage. If 14.5+ volts or greater shut it down. Carefully remove the negative post cable and then the positive cable and then the battery. Have it load tested and inspected. If it fails any tests replace it with the proper size Interstate battery. Then retest voltage output. If still too high remove the alternator, after disconnecting negative batt post cable and have the alternator/voltage regulator tested.
In the meantime wash all areas with water and neutralize the acid with baking soda until all acid is gone.

 

[Coyote machine]

darn thats what i thought u were going to say. well if thats the prob. i would think that should be a warranty fix. but u never know. ill also give bobcat a call tomorrow.. one thing for sure if it is a poor quality battery causing the prob i definitely don't want another one thats the same.

That's why I recommended an Interstate battery, I've had good luck with them, and used to be one of their dealers when I had my own shop.
Your existing battery has a date code stamped into the case, which the maker can identify as to when it was made, and your dealer might warranty it, especially if it is failing due to an alt or V-reg issue.
Post back results.

 

[byronlj]

coyote machine wrote "Why is it leaking? Is it overcharging? If so, the battery is NOT the problem."

That is not necessarily so. The battery could have a shorted cell which causes the charging system to overcharge. Do a load test, which requires charging from a battery charger first. Even a hydrometer test would indicate individual cell problems. Checking the running battery voltage only will not differentiate a problem between the battery or the charging system.
Dave

 

[tman1020]

Put a meter on this morning. Tested 12 volts with tractor off tested about 14 to almost 14.5 at idle. Then retested with tractor off and got like 12 1/2 almost 13 V maybe. Then I did a visual inspection of battery no visible cracks that I can see. It looked as though it was leaking at a seam between the top Of the battery and the side. I was working on a fairly steep slope yesterday. Probably the steepest slope I've been on yet. From what I've read on people having trouble with these bobcat batteries slopes seem to have been where a lot of the issues came into play. So I'm hoping that that's where my trouble is that would definitely be a easy fix.


So what do you guys think does that sound logical. And if so do I go ahead and replace the battery now or do I just clean up any damage and be very mindful about slopes and checking afterward?