toxic smelling liquid leaking from scooter

[iameatingjam]

've had my kaishan k500w for over 4 years now. Has been a great bike, though recently developed quite a few problems from so much use. Brakes don't work, mirrors broke off, lights don't work, battery life significantly decreased, sticky throttle. It still has more power than any other electric scooter I've driven.

However I just moved to a new city and its become too dangerous to drive especially without brakes so its been sitting in my garage for over a month without being used. Two days ago I decided to plug it in, started to charge as usual and then I forgot about it.

This morning I walked into my garage to smell the most disgusting odor imaginable. Very strong chemical smell, I couldn't even breath. I look at my scooter and underneath was a big puddle of liquid, and I could see it still dripping. I'm so confused, it hasn't been out in the rain or anything. I didn't even know electric scooters had fluid in them, not to mention something so toxic smelling.

I'm honestly scared to go near the thing, let alone clean up the mess incase its battery acid or something. I left my garage door open all day and the smell is much less, but I don't feel like those are the kind of fumes I want in my house.

What happened? What should I do? How should I clean it up? Is my bike still going to work?

 

[neptronix]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you have a lead acid battery.
Either that or the capacitors have gone, in a bad way.

My suggestion is to let it ventilate for a few days and open 'er up to inspect.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

One of the sealed lead acid batteries probably is a bit less sealed.

Pictures might be exciting...

 

[neptronix]

One of the sealed lead acid batteries probably is a bit less sealed.
Pictures might be exciting...

+1. We require pictures here in exchange for our help

 

[iameatingjam]

I took some pictures but my phone isn't wanting to connect to computer right now, I'm working on.

Checking again though, it seems that a large portion of the puddle has evaporated but left a noticeable mark on the concrete, and the smell nearly gone, which I guess solves one of my problems. Safe to say my bike is screwed then?

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

Probably going to be a little sticky and need a new battery.

At least the range and power concerns will be gone. While you're at it, drop some LiPo in and solder the shunt on the controller. You can probably double the power...

 

[Philistine]

This morning I walked into my garage to smell the most disgusting odor imaginable. so toxic smelling.

I'm honestly scared to go near the thing, let alone clean up the mess

Checking again though, it seems that a large portion of the puddle has evaporated but left a noticeable mark on the concrete,

Probably going to be a little sticky

I have had this happen to me. Let's just say I had to move cities as well, after a quick trip to the hardware store for some lime, and some well spent dollars on a solid alibi and a good lawyer.....

Reminds me of the joke - Q) what's the difference between a Rolls Royce and a pile of dead babies? A) There isn't a Rolls Royce in my garage.....

Sorry to go OT....

 

[Harold in CR]

Get a box of baking soda and stir it into some clean water. 1 tablespoon per quart of water, warm preferred, and slowly pour-wipe it all over the metal parts, before that acid gets to eating it up.

DO NOT get it on that leaking battery. Remove it, first. Then, after all the fizzing is dome, rinse with clean water and do it again. Acid creeps into any crack-crevice-opening, it can find. You NEED to get it neutralized. Also, pour some on that spot in the concrete. The acid is dissolving the lime in the concrete and eating at the concrete it self. It will be pitted after you clean it. That's

 

[Ypedal]

also.. dont get any battery acid on clothes you like .. it will eat thru it over a short period of time.. wear rubber gloves to remove the batteries from the bike and wash it all down with plenty of water ( garden hose near by ? ) ..

random youtube search result :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noRe87GWIqI

[youtube]noRe87GWIqI[/youtube]

 

[Lock]

kaishan k500w... Brakes don't work, mirrors broke off, lights don't work, battery life significantly decreased, sticky throttle.

Sounds like you are Canadian eh? AFAIK the Kaishans were (are?) sold in Alta/BC? Just FYI if you're looking for parts they have also been imported/labelled as "Baja" and are/were sold through Canadian Tire stores...
http://www.kaishanebikes.com/k500ws.html
http://www.bajamotorsports.net/categories/scooters/products/BE500_be500-electric-scooter

G'Luck