Dang. Now that title, is a grabber. What happened after you called 911?
Re: Whelen Panel Explodes
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:47 pm
by EOWS1212man
Wow, that's something you don't see everyday! I wonder what would cause it do do something like that?
Re: Whelen Panel Explodes
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:08 pm
by uncommonsense
The panel didn't explode. A battery experienced catastrophic failure...perhaps an explosion (you've never lived until you've had a car battery explode on you). Look where the smoke is coming from.
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 11:22 pm
by DJ2226
^I figured it was with one of the batteries but wasn't sure. Thanks for informing me.
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:40 pm
by gman 1
Did the police or fire department respond?
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:44 pm
by dclarkct
Nice timing, this is what happens when you cant check the water level in the batteries. Today's batteries only have a lifespan of about 3 years. The interstate sealed lead acid are the least expensive deep cycle battery but they do have a vent and when the battery is equalized it will lose water vapor.
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:18 pm
by justie1220
Hope the controls and head and the drivers were not dammaged. I gotta admit I had no idea that something like that would even be remotely possible and this is a normal occurrence if the batteries are poorly maintained?
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:05 am
by Ziginox
At least it made for a cool ambiance video!
Re: Battery Explodes on a Whelen WPS 2810
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 12:20 pm
by dclarkct
justie1220 wrote:Hope the controls and head and the drivers were not dammaged. I gotta admit I had no idea that something like that would even be remotely possible and this is a normal occurrence if the batteries are poorly maintained?
This happens occasionally, what happens is the water level drops and there is more hydrogen gas inside the battery and since the plates are exposed if there is an arc there is an explosion and fire. Today's inexpensive batteries have weaker pressure valves and cheaper (thinner) lead plates. I would change the cheaper batteries every two years no later than 3. We (Whelen) have had batteries in the field last 10 years but not newer batteries, we had to change our battery recommendations because of the battery changes.
Whelen has a vented battery compartment and we do not have switches or fuses in that compartment.
