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?

 

[k0ua]

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?

Well I don't think you have a bad cell, and it doesn't seem you have a defective regulator in the alternator. I guess you just have a cracked battery. I would measure the charging voltage at 2000 rpm though before I was sure. Are you thinking you can seal the crack or something?.. I think it is going to leak again, and you will be fighting corrosion for ever. I would swap out the battery for a new one, and yes Interstate is a great brand, clean it all up and repaint.

 

[byronlj]

I agree with James KQUA. If not excessive voltage at higher rpms, just needs a battery.
Dave

 

[ttriff]

My stock battery croaked after 18mos (open cell). It was replaced with a Costco group 34, 795 CCA battery costing $84. It's going strong 2.5yrs later.

Check the group size on your stock battery compare that to the actual space available. I was able to go from the stock group 24 to group 34 because the only difference was 1" more height. Plenty of room for that extra height in the 'battery box'

 

[Coyote machine]

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?

You could clean it up and be mindful of slopes, BUT you don't know how much acid leaked and you can't put acid back to bring it up to specs, only water can be added to a battery if the level is low.
I would replace it for peace of mind and less chance of further damage to your tractor. YMMV.

 

[Coyote machine]

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

Good point; though a running tractor's voltage present at the battery will tell one if there is an overvoltage condition at the battery, at which point further testing would be warranted, and it would narrow down whether there was a problem with acid leaking due to overcharging, regardless of charging system or shorted cell being the culprit. You'll note I said in a later post if the battery showed a charge condition of over 14.5 Volts to remove the battery and have it load tested, and to replace it if it failed any tests. Specific gravity of each cell would be tested by any competent shop too, and between output voltage on the tractor, load test and specific gravity tests a shorted cell would be found if one were present. Either way, the problem in the field and diagnosis/solution by internet is difficult at best, especially when one, like me, doesn't know the skill and knowledge level of the person on the receiving end. I try to keep it simple, and to take safety into consideration, so the thread poster doesn't get in over their head; a step by step approach to get to a satisfactory solution.

 

[tman1020]

Thanks for all the advice I like the idea of trying to get a larger battery in there I will definitely check that out. And I think changing the battery is my best option. It's nice having the site here to get other folks opinion and experience. Thanks again for taking the time to help out it's much appreciated. As of right now I don't feel like it's dangerous and it is still functioning so I don't feel like I have to rush to find a battery. This will give me time to shop around a bit and check dimensions for a larger size.

 

[Coyote machine]

You do want to clean the entire area of any possible acid that leaked out. I suggest removing the battery and thoroughly cleaning it and any part of the tractor that might have acid splashed on it, especially the battery box and adjacent areas. Use copious amounts of baking soda.

 

[k0ua]

Yep clean as soon as you can and as thoroughly as you can. Once the acid gets under the paint and down into the metal, it is like the gift that keeps on giving. I have some experience with this.

 

[tman1020]

I rinsed it off some last night as soon as I noticed what was going on then this morning I dumped a bunch of baking soda all over the area as per directed. Then I hosed it off very thoroughly again. When I change the battery out I will repaint it with something very durable. Thanks again

 

[Xfaxman]

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