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Date:         Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:58:03 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: General Question On Battery Venting
In-Reply-To:  <20110810125508.J0SYH.1352395.imail@eastrmwml49>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Wow, I should have paid more attention to Loren's post. I definitely do not have a hose in the box to vent the battery. So, need to take care of that. mcneely

---- Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote: > ---- Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Part of the thread on a battery install under the kitchen cabinet on a Westy > > prompts this question: Is venting of a modern non-sealed battery really > > necessary? > > This is my understanding of the construction of most of the batteries on the > > market today, those that are marked "No Maintenance" or some such label. > > Instead of the old screw in plugs, one in each cell of the battery, modern > > batteries seem to have a plastic plate covering the top of the battery with > > a plug for the hole into each cell. Sometimes one plate, sometimes two. > > These can be pried off to check the level of the electrolyte in each cell. > > But my understanding is that these plug/covers are constructed so that any > > vapor coming from the battery condenses and runs back into the battery. But > > any actual gas, like hydrogen, is vented. And I know that at least some of > > such batteries have a little nipple that can be attached to a small hose > > that leads outside the battery compartment thus venting something. > > So this leads to the question "What happens when such a battery is NOT in a > > sealed compartment and is NOT vented outside the vehicle?" > > Is there any potentially toxic 'stuff' coming into the vehicle? Is there a > > danger of corrosion in the immediate area of the battery? Or is the venting > > of a modern battery a non issue for installing under the kitchen or under > > the rear seat without a sealed battery compartment? > > BTW, I'm assuming normal use and charging of the battery, no severe over > > charging or over heating of the battery that you would expect boiling of the > > electrolyte or catastrophic failure of the battery case. That's a whole > > different problem for any battery, sealed or not. > > I have wondered concerning battery venting even concerning the starter battery under the passenger seat of our vans. Hydrogen is the gas to be vented of course. The battery box has a gasketed top cover. There are very small holes in the bottom of the box, opening to the outside under the van. Hydrogen gas is the lightest of all gases, and rises under all circumstances, given equal temperatures of all gases in a compartment. > > So, does the battery box adequately vent any hydrogen that does form? There should be no spark, assuming using the listed battery with its cover over the positive post. But, one wonders, so help me to understand. > > McNeely

-- David McNeely


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