Getting shocked while changing battery?!?

[LongRifle]

I was replacing my 2nd battery today to a 125ah lithium. I have a 2007 Chaparral Sunesta 214 and it’s not the easiest to get down there while leaning over the lifted seat to get at. The boat was off, while I was tightening the positive connection to the battery I had my right bicep laying across the starboard riser and got a slight tingle and shock. Later on while wiring up the DC to DC charger my right cheek touched the riser and I got another shock and could see the spark, it even left a little mark. It was very hot out and I was sweating but didn’t think I would complete the ground. Is this normal? I checked all grounds at the beginning of the season. Yes, I was using a stainless ratchet to tighten bolts. Picture is of old setup just for reference. Thanks!

 

[dingbat]

I was replacing my 2nd battery today to a 125ah lithium. I have a 2007 Chaparral Sunesta 214 and it’s not the easiest to get down there while leaning over the lifted seat to get at. The boat was off, while I was tightening the positive connection to the battery I had my right bicep laying across the starboard riser and got a slight tingle and shock. Later on while wiring up the DC to DC charger my right cheek touched the riser and I got another shock and could see the spark, it even left a little mark. It was very hot out and I was sweating but didn’t think I would complete the ground. Is this normal? I checked all grounds at the beginning of the season. Yes, I was using a stainless ratchet to tighten bolts. Picture is of old setup just for reference. Thanks!

Yes , it's normal

 

[tpenfield]

You are a good conductor of electricity.

 

[ESGWheel]

Were you plugged into shore power in any way when you got shocked?

From what I understand using a lithium battery in a boat is good for a trolling motor or house loads but not for starting your engine. Additionally, it requires a different charging profile then what your alternator is built for but sounds like you have that covered (DC to DC Charger). And they should not be coupled with anything other than a similar / same battery.

• Why lithium?

 

[LongRifle]

Were you plugged into shore power in any way when you got shocked?

From what I understand using a lithium battery in a boat is good for a trolling motor or house loads but not for starting your engine. Additionally, it requires a different charging profile then what your alternator is built for but sounds like you have that covered (DC to DC Charger). And they should not be coupled with anything other than a similar / same battery.

• Why lithium?

I do not have shore power at our dock at Lake Erie. I do understand the differences between the battery chemistry’s and possible dangers, that is why I have the Victron Orion dc to dc charger.

This is a 125ah deep cycle battery to power the stereo system while at the sandbar only. It is replacing a group 31 AGM and is separate from my 24 group AGM “starter”.

I like lithium because of the constant power, increased power storage, weight savings, and faster recharge times.

Looking back at the incident I understood that I completed the ground, just didn’t think I would see a spark lol. Thanks guys!

 

[jimmbo]

Perspiration, being loaded with Body Salts is an Excellent Electrolyte
Lithium Ion? If so, I don't think they are a very good idea on a Boat. They are not allowed to be in Checked Luggage on an Airplane, or be shipped Air Freight, because they are as Stable as a Can of Hot Nitroglycerin, They can provide large amounts of Current, thereby able to cause a spark, another Item, unwanted in a Bilge

 

[dingbat]

Deleted

 

[Horigan]

Lithium Ion? If so, I don't think they are a very good idea on a Boat. They are not allowed to be in Checked Luggage on an Airplane, or be shipped Air Freight, because they are as Stable as a Can of Hot Nitroglycerin, They can provide large amounts of Current, thereby able to cause a spark, another Item, unwanted in a Bilge

I suspect he has a LiFePO4 battery, which are safer and fine for boats as a house battery.