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Date:    Thu, 6 Apr 2006 17:20:38 -0700

From:    MissVeeDub <vwdreamer@GMAIL.COM>

Subject: Aux Battery Blow Up

Hello all - well my mom isnt heading up to dash point today, her auxillary
battery literally blew up under her seat - i had to come down and help her
clean it up - first with water, then with baking soda.

We are gong to get the electrical system checked out tonight - does anyone
have any ideas on either what to do now, or what we can do to clean up the
acid?

BTW for those of you who dont know - her van is a '80 ASI Vanagon

TIA

>

Baking soda is the right thing for cleanup.  Once enough of it is around,
then just wipe up.  (Use gloves, in case it's still acidic)  Take the spent
battery to a recycling center - lead is a bad thing.  Get a new battery, but
first use a volt-ohmmeter to check if there is some short in the 12V line
that leaves from the auxiliary battery.  Look also for any evidence of
shorting (burnt area).  Also get the alternator output checked.  Check the
main battery as well, since that is charged by the same system.  Finally,
check the relay that provides charging to the battery.  It's right in the
well for the auxillary battery.

Regards,

Rich