Batteries not vented.

Cupie · Guru

Batteries not vented.

Magnarc · Guru

Hi all, when we bought our van the 12v system was powered by a deep cycle lead acid "wet" battery which, in the 2002 Jayco Heritage, is located under one of the seats, possibly installed by the previous owner. We woke up one morning to a horrible smell, the battery had "cooked" during the night and, according to my auto elec, we were lucky that it had not caught fire. We now have a 120A/H AGM battery which is totally sealed and maintenance free, (so I am told). I send this post to alert all our Nomads to this problem, do NOT have a "wet" battery in an unvented enclosed area, my ignorance of this could have had disastrous results for us both and, possibly, any van that was next to us at the time.

Take care out there.

Delta18 · Guru

From what I have read you were very lucky you did not suffer a fire or explosion as that 'cooking' battery was giving off highly flammible Hydrogen gas.

Again, from what I have read here and other forums <fori???> your new 'sealed' battery should be in a vented compartment too as it CAN give off the same hydrogen gas.

Some reading here if you are interested...and you should be biggrin

And here....

Cheers Neil

Happywanderer · The Master

Now you've given me something else to worry about. Mine is under the seat which becomes a bed behind the drivers seat. Was there when I got it but of course a different battery now. There are vent holes into the compartment so hopefully that will be enough.

Delta18 · Guru

You won't have any worries there Happy, that area is not sealed and will be able to vent quite well to outside air.

Cheers Neil

Magnarc · Guru

Hi all,

If my experience alerts others then I'm happy. Delta you say that even sealed batteries can give off gases, Full River, (maker of our battery) website states that this will only occur where overcharging is happening and a good quality controller will detect when the charge is complete and cut off the charge. I can only accept this advice on the assumption that they know what they are talking about, however, you are correct that, in certain circumstances, and AGM battery will emit gasses. Thanks to all for their interest.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Magnarc wrote:
We now have a 120A/H AGM battery which is totally sealed and maintenance free, (so I am told).

Not so.

AGM batteries are described as "VRLA" which means Valve Regulated Lead Acid.

They do not emit gas normally but can do so if a problem arises. A valve will open to allow gas to escape if the internal pressure gets too high. That gas is hydrogen and is flamable in the right mixture with air, so in some specific circumstances an explosion is possible.

The best way to avoid that is to use a good quality charger, to avoid anything that might cause a spark in the battery compartment and to vent the area where the battery is stored.

Cheers,

Peter