Hi Guys & Gals, I have a new style (post '86) C22 with the battery compartment in the starboard cockpit locker. I have completed my 2nd battery and electrical panel upgrade. There is a plywood bulk head that separates this compartment from the main cabin (this in not an air tight fitting bulk head). I mounted my battery switch (off/1/both/2) to the battery compartment side of this bulk head. My question is concerning hydrogen off-gassing from the battery while charging. With 2 group 24 batteries is there a problem with hydrogen accumulating sufficiently to start a fire? Should there be a vent for this compartment? I have no experience with charging 12vdc wet cell batteries and would like some input from those that do. I may be being a bit paranoid here but my daughter will be aboard the boat during longer trips (that will require charging the batteries in place) and want to make this safe. I know the older style C22s have the batteries in the cabin proper. Has anyone ever found this to be a problem? Is a vent of some sort needed? I appreciate you all's input. Mike C22 #14427
Battery charging and off-gassing
- Thread starter Keel-N-Time
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Not airtight
Hi Mike - Without fully understanding your setup, since you indicate that the locker where your batts are located isn't air-tight, I would think you'd be fine. There should be room for any offgassing as long as there is some ventilation - but you don't need much. Best, Trevor
Hi Mike - Without fully understanding your setup, since you indicate that the locker where your batts are located isn't air-tight, I would think you'd be fine. There should be room for any offgassing as long as there is some ventilation - but you don't need much. Best, Trevor
check your water
You need to make sure that you can see your batteries well enough to check the water. If you are using anything other than a trickle charger you will need to make sure that you do not boil the batteries and then run out of fluid. if your compartment is in a postion that you can not see the batteries you run the risk of ingoring them and then you could fry them. So be safe and check them monthly when you are charging heavy. The batteries will vent fine in a non air tight compartment.
You need to make sure that you can see your batteries well enough to check the water. If you are using anything other than a trickle charger you will need to make sure that you do not boil the batteries and then run out of fluid. if your compartment is in a postion that you can not see the batteries you run the risk of ingoring them and then you could fry them. So be safe and check them monthly when you are charging heavy. The batteries will vent fine in a non air tight compartment.
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