Battery venting.

[robertwalker2003]

Are there any issues with venting the gases from batteries charging inside a tongue box? I want to design my system to be contained inside a waterproof box but I'm worried about the gases building up and/or explosion or fire risks.

Thanks
Robert Walker

 

[dwh]

Depends on the battery. Is it a sealed type?

If it's a sealed type, it's only going to vent if overcharged.

If it's a sloshy type with removable vent caps, then yes, there is an issue - it'll produce hydrogen whenever it's being charged. Hydrogen burns so freaking fast, it's kinda like black powder - seems more like an explosion than a burn:



Also, propane is heavier than air, so you want to vent out the bottom, but hydrogen is lighter so you want to vent out the top. (Or at least, out the side near the top.)

 

[robertwalker2003]

Depends on the battery. Is it a sealed type?

If it's a sealed type, it's only going to vent if overcharged.

If it's a sloshy type with removable vent caps, then yes, there is an issue - it'll produce hydrogen whenever it's being charged. Hydrogen burns so freaking fast, it's kinda like black powder - seems more like an explosion than a burn:



Also, propane is heavier than air, so you want to vent out the bottom, but hydrogen is lighter so you want to vent out the top. (Or at least, out the side near the top.)

Thanks, I did not think about the sealed vrs non sealed. In fact I was questioning the need for a optima type battery, many for the price, but now it makes more sense.

Thanks much

Robert Walker