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Date:         Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:04:16 -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
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-W25093A1B8D522697C4E47CA0230@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

So, bottom line is, the battery compartment of our vans is not in an ideal location? There is plenty of room in the engine compartment. Don't some models have it there? mcneely

---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: > Any lead acid battery can pruduce hydrogen and suphuric acid fumes during charging. This is especially pronounced during the finishing or equalization stages of a chrge cycle. At the VW design of 13.8V (2.3 Volts/cell) we re just below the gassing stage but a real 4 stage charger can bring the voltage up to 2.7 Volts/cell. Sealed (AGM) batteries also off gas but the the gases are kept under pressure and some of the gasses should recombine and go back to the electrolyte. At soem point they do vent and that is why they often dry up and fail. They can vent even from temparature changes such as parking in the sun and letting the interior get to 140F. > > Anyway there are two considerations for venting reqiurements. One is for a vehicle and the other is for a dwelling or living space. Passenger Vanagons do not seal the battery compartment. Flip top cover and a vent-drain on the bottom. Campers as a dwelling get the sealed, screwed down battery cover. This is particualry important if you paln to add charging capbility while the vehicle is occupied such as when sleeping. > > Another consideration is securing the battery. Will it stay in place and where will the fluid drip in the event of a collison or rollover? > > Dennis > > > > > Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:55:08 -0500 > > From: mcneely4@COX.NET > > Subject: Re: General Question On Battery Venting > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > > > ---- 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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