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Lifeline Battery Safety Information:
There are four main safety hazards associated with the use of any valve regulated lead acid
(VRLA) battery. These hazards are: a) Release of ignitable gas, b) Exposure to acid, c)
Shorting of terminals, d) Thermal runaway. This chapter provides a description of each of these
hazards and means to mitigate them.
1 Release of Ignitable Gasses
All lead acid batteries, including VRLA batteries, produce hydrogen and oxygen gases during
normal charging. Even though VRLA batteries are designed to recombine these gases
internally, the recombination efficiency is less than 100%. Small amounts of hydrogen and
oxygen are released from the pressure relief valve during charging. Normally, the hydrogen gas
dissipates very rapidly and never reaches a concentration level that is hazardous. However, if
the battery is installed in an enclosure with minimal airflow, the concentration of hydrogen could
build up to a high enough concentration to be of concern. Hydrogen can ignite at
concentrations as low as 4% in air. For this reason, never install a Lifeline® AGM battery in
a sealed or an airtight container.
2 Exposure to Acid
All lead acid batteries contain sulfuric acid in the electrolyte, which can cause chemical burns to
body tissue. Although Lifeline® AGM batteries are classified as Nonspillable, exposure to the
electrolyte is possible under extreme conditions (e.g., if the battery is cracked open or crushed).
In the event that electrolyte is displaced from the battery, avoid contact with the skin,
eyes and clothing. In the event of an accident, flush with water and call a physician
immediately.
3 Shorting of Terminals
Lifeline® AGM batteries have very low internal impedance and therefore are capable of
delivering high currents if the external terminals are short circuited. The resulting heat can
cause severe burns and is a potential fire hazard. Accidentally placing metal objects across the
terminals can result in severe skin burns. It is a good practice to remove all metallic items
such as watches, bracelets and rings when installing or servicing batteries. As a further
precaution, insulating gloves should be worn and only insulated tools should be used
when installing or servicing batteries.
4 Thermal Runaway
Thermal runaway is a condition in which the battery temperature increases rapidly resulting in
extreme overheating of the battery. Under rare conditions, the battery can melt, catch on fire, or
even explode. Thermal runaway can only occur if the battery is at high ambient temperature
and/or the charging voltage is set too high. As the battery accepts current, its internal
temperature rises. The rise in temperature reduces the battery impedance, causing it to accept
more current. The higher current further heats the battery, and so on, causing the battery
temperature to “runaway”. An upper limit will eventually be reached when the electrolyte starts
to boil, but once the electrolyte has boiled away, the temperature can climb even further to the
point of plastic meltdown and possible fire.
As of this writing, Concorde does not know of any Lifeline® AGM batteries that have failed due
to thermal runaway. To preclude the possibility of thermal runway, the battery charging
instructions here should be carefully followed, especially if the battery will be
subjected to high ambient temperatures. Batteries should not be installed near heat
sources or in direct sunlight that may artificially elevate their temperature. Also, there
should be adequate air circulation around the batteries to prevent heat build-up.
AGM Batteries Available
All Available AGM Batteries
Battery Comparison Table - AH & Capacity
Battery Comparison Table - Size Weight
Lifeline Deep Cycle AGM Battery Specifications
Lifeline Deep Cycle AGM Batteries by Size
Lifeline OEM - RV & Marine List
Lifeline AGM Battery Features
Lifeline AGM Battery SOC, OCV, and DOD Info
Lifeline AGM Battery Performance Graphs
Lifeline AGM Battery Charging Procedures
Lifeline AGM Batteries History
Lifeline AGM Batteries FAQ
Lifeline AGM Battery Safety
Battery, Inverter, and Generator Failover Calculator
AC - DC Lifeline AGM Battery Bank Sizing Calculator
DC - DC Lifeline AGM Battery Bank Sizing Calculator
DC Reserve Minutes Calculator
AGM Battery Users Manual Part 1 (1 of 2)
AGM Battery Users Manual Part 2 (2 of 2)
Sun Xtender Deep Cycle AGM Battery Specifications
Sun Xtender Deep Cycle AGM Batteries by Size
Sun Xtender AGM Battery Features
3rd Party Sun Xtender AGM Battery Test Results
SunXtender AGM Battery Charging Procedures
Sun Xtender AGM Batteries History
Sun Xtender Battery Service Instructions
Sun Xtender Technical Documentation
AC - DC Sun Xtender AGM Battery Bank Sizing Calculator
DC - DC Sun Xtender AGM Battery Bank Sizing Calculator
Optima Battery Features
Optima Red Top Battery Specifications
Optima Red Top Batteries by Size
Optima Blue Top Battery Specifications
Optima Blue Top Batteries by Size
Optima Yellow Top Battery Specifications
Optima Yellow Top Batteries by Size
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Chairman Traction / Standby / Wheelchair Batteries
Battery Chemistry Comparison - VRLA vs GEL vs AGM
Comparison Between Gel Batteries and AGM Batteries
Total Power Racing Battery Features
Total Power AGM Racing Battery Specifications
Total Power Racing Lightweight Batteries by Size
Battery Chemistry Comparison - VRLA vs GEL vs AGM
Comparison Between Gel Batteries and AGM Batteries
Rock Racing Battery Features
Rock AGM Racing Battery Specifications
Total Power Racing Lightweight Batteries by Size
Battery Chemistry Comparison - VRLA vs GEL vs AGM
Comparison Between Gel Batteries and AGM Batteries
Shipping, Safety, and Legal
Lifeline, SunXtender, Total Power, and Rock Racing Battery Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS (pdf)
Lifeline, SunXtender, Total Power, and Rock Racing Battery Safety Bulletin
Lifeline, SunXtender, Total Power, and Rock Racing Battery Transportation Information DOT
AGM Battery Applications and Benefits
AGM Battery Efficiency and Peukert Coefficients
Custom Uninterruptable Power Supply - Custom UPS
Uninterruptable Power Supply Kits - UPS Kits
Solar Powered Off Grid Housing
AGM Battery Installation Considerations
Hydrogen Venting Systems
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