Excal.II battery explodes

[surfhunter]

So I plugged in my Excal. To charge up in the garage and about 2 hours later heard what sounded like a shot gun blast. This is what I found. 2 year old machine. 165 dollars down the drain.

 

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[FLauthor]

I use Alkaline batteries exclusively. I keep a pack of Sunbeam value pack of AA batteries and Allen wrench to change out if the batteries die. Usually get 10 hours of use and use my change that I find to buy batteries.

 

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[seeker41]

call minelab and see if they will do anything for you, you might be surprised!!! other manufacturers I have dealt with have done great things for me!

chuck.

 

[NCGREG]

call minelab and see if they will do anything for you, you might be surprised!!! other manufacturers I have dealt with have done great things for me!

chuck.

I would second this suggestion, (just my humble opinion of course). I think I'd give the tech's at ML a call as soon as I could tomorrow morning. You never know, .. if the "stock" replacement charger is infact the culprit, there might possibly be a bad batch of them from a production line that need to be recalled..(you never know).. I'd still like to know more about sealing the threads on the pack with that silicone grease that I have heard about.

I think it's mentioned in the owners manual, and I know that I have read about it on a forum somewhere, but I don't know what the correct name for it is....or where to find it. That would be a good thing to have, and to use for making darned sure that no water gets in to the pod. That was why I mentioned my concern about bringing a cold machine into a very warm vehicle after using it for long periods outside. Possible "condensation build up" inside of the battery pack.

If anybody has any idea as to what name this grease is labeled under on the store shelves, and where to get it, please pass the word.

Greg

 

[NCGREG]

Sorry, I looked closer at the manual. It's the pins that get the grease, not the threads but I wonder which silicone grease would be the right one. There are several types available at different suppliers, and some are dielectric, and some are food grade etc. ? Here's what ML says about water and condensation, as well as temp changes.

"As part of the manufacturing process, Minelab applies a silicone grease to
the battery cable connector pins. This prevents a build-up of residual
water and reduces the level of electrolysis between the two pins, which
in turn prolongs the serviceability of your unit. This grease should be
reapplied as part of your routine care and maintenance."

"Avoid rapid changes in temperature. Gradual warming and cooling will
keep the internal atmosphere stable. Extreme temperature swings may
cause a light condensation to appear on the cylinder walls for a short
time. Wait for this to disappear before using your Excalibur II."

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

As long as the Excal is under warranty, I would not bother with taking the battery of the shafts to charge it.
You are apt to do more damage handling it (jerk the cables, drop it) than if you just left it on.
Even if the battery outgassed blowing off one or both ends of the sealed pod, it most likely would not damage the control Pod which is the other side of the
shaft.

Not that I am aware of. And yes, to what you said about taking the battery off of the shaft to charge it. From now on I will take mine off every time I recharge. Losing a battery is one thing but losing the whole machine is a whole different can of worms!..Good point Fletch.

 

[Jason in Enid]

As long as the Excal is under warranty, I would not bother with taking the battery of the shafts to charge it.
You are apt to do more damage handling it (jerk the cables, drop it) than if you just left it on.

If someone is likely to damage an excal just by removing and replacing their battery pod, they should be under supervised care, because it takes a special kind of stupid to accomplish that.

 

[SonnyFl]

OK folks! This is what happened to me back when? Went to check battery charging. Cylinder was hot. Disconnected charger. Backed out setscrews. Didn't get the second one out when "BAM". Ended up with cylinder in hand and end cap flying around. Couldn't find alanwrench for years. No injuries, but, changed undrwear. After that I take batterie's out and charged. I know it's a pain in the a@# to keep doing this, but. I haven't had problems since. Also! It's a good time to remove and clean O'rings and lubricate them. Clean out cylinders also. Sand does get in them. That's my imput.

 

[gobble-gobble]

Yes it's a pain but it is the safest way to go. And your right Sonny sand does somehow finds it way in.And I can't figure out how the pod stay's water tight.

OK folks! This is what happened to me back when? Went to check battery charging. Cylinder was hot. Disconnected charger. Backed out setscrews. Didn't get the second one out when "BAM". Ended up with cylinder in hand and end cap flying around. Couldn't find alanwrench for years. No injuries, but, changed undrwear. After that I take batterie's out and charged. I know it's a pain in the a@# to keep doing this, but. I haven't had problems since. Also! It's a good time to remove and clean O'rings and lubricate them. Clean out cylinders also. Sand does get in them. That's my imput.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Sorry, I looked closer at the manual. It's the pins that get the grease, not the threads but I wonder which silicone grease would be the right one. There are several types available at different suppliers, and some are dielectric, and some are food grade etc. ? Here's what ML says about water and condensation, as well as temp changes.

"As part of the manufacturing process, Minelab applies a silicone grease to
the battery cable connector pins. This prevents a build-up of residual
water and reduces the level of electrolysis between the two pins, which
in turn prolongs the serviceability of your unit. This grease should be
reapplied as part of your routine care and maintenance."

"Avoid rapid changes in temperature. Gradual warming and cooling will
keep the internal atmosphere stable. Extreme temperature swings may
cause a light condensation to appear on the cylinder walls for a short
time. Wait for this to disappear before using your Excalibur II."

Here is a link for where you can get your silicone grease for your pins. Call the Cordova Rd location, tell them you want the silicone grease for the connectors, (they use it on the underwater scooters connectors).
I'm sure they would be more than happy to take your credit card # and send you a package.
If you have any problems, pm me, I can go down there and get it for you, also.

Brownie's YachtDiver : Scuba Gear : Third Lung : Scubapro : Tankfill Compressor

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

You can get silicone grease at Lowes or Home Depot in their plumbing department.

We will NOT go quitely into the night!

 

[NCGREG]

Here is a link for where you can get your silicone grease for your pins. Call the Cordova Rd location, tell them you want the silicone grease for the connectors, (they use it on the underwater scooters connectors).
I'm sure they would be more than happy to take your credit card # and send you a package.
If you have any problems, pm me, I can go down there and get it for you, also.

Brownie's YachtDiver : Scuba Gear : Third Lung : Scubapro : Tankfill Compressor

Thank you

 

[NCGREG]

You can get silicone grease at Lowes or Home Depot in their plumbing department.

We will NOT go quitely into the night!

Good deal, .. Is the grease that you are speaking of at lowe's in a small round flat white tub and labeled "Danco Silicone Grease"? or does that make any difference? What I am trying to say is, .. as long as it is "plumbers silicone grease" it will do the job and not swell the oring, or the flat rubber washer...correct?

Thanks for the help

 

[gobble-gobble]

Good deal, .. Is the grease that you are speaking of at lowe's in a small round flat white tub and labeled "Danco Silicone Grease"? or does that make any difference? What I am trying to say is, .. as long as it is "plumbers silicone grease" it will do the job and not swell the oring, or the flat rubber washer...correct?

Thanks for the help

I get mine at Lowes
Oatey - Plumber's faucet & valve grease , 1 oz tube, been using it for years no problems.
It's water proof & resists high temperatures

 

[SonnyFl]

NC! I use "Sport Divers" silicone grease 1 1/4oz "O" Ring Lubricant from a dive shop. I don't do the threads. If you carry a backup so's you don't have to go back to the car, get a 3/4 PVC endcap, fill it up with sealer and leave 3 to 4 threads showing. Let it harded. Then screw it on. I carry one in my pouch in the water and never had to go back to my car. I did it once and that was the last time.

 

[NCGREG]

I get mine at Lowes
Oatey - Plumber's faucet & valve grease , 1 oz tube, been using it for years no problems.
It's water proof & resists high temperatures

I had to go to Lowe's today, had to get a spigot cap it's gonna freeze here in the next couple of days. I found a small tub of Oatey brand for just a couple of bucks. I've got her now cuz.

 

[NCGREG]

NC! I use "Sport Divers" silicone grease 1 1/4oz "O" Ring Lubricant from a dive shop. I don't do the threads. If you carry a backup so's you don't have to go back to the car, get a 3/4 PVC endcap, fill it up with sealer and leave 3 to 4 threads showing. Let it harded. Then screw it on. I carry one in my pouch in the water and never had to go back to my car. I did it once and that was the last time.

Good idea!!

 

[Fletch88]

For those who like Amazon here's a 2oz jar for $8.99.

Silicone Grease 2.0 oz. Jar
http://amzn.com/B0000DCVZL

 

[surfhunter]

**UPDATE*** I spoke with the Kellyco minelab repair techs. They asked me to send them the battery and charger. In return they would send me a new battery and charger!! I bought my Excal. two years ago and it was not under warranty so they real went above and beyond on this. Thanks guys I really appreciate it.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

Glad to hear that, Surfhunter. Most companies will do the right thing and many will go beyond that if asked nicely. Glad Kellyco is taking care of you.

 

[aussiedigger]

**UPDATE*** I spoke with the Kellyco minelab repair techs. They asked me to send them the battery and charger. In return they would send me a new battery and charger!! I bought my Excal. two years ago and it was not under warranty so they real went above and beyond on this. Thanks guys I really appreciate it.

Good on you Minelab.



aussie