A thread last week about adding a 2nd battey bank got me thinking.... We have a couple of flooded cell group 31's in a locker in the main cabin with a dedicated Guest 2610 3 stage charger. If anything the guest tends to under charge them, but should I be worried about battery gas? Do I really need a vent fan?
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Not a bad idea.
Andy: It is probably not a bad idea. When flooded batteries start having a problem they can generate a fair amout of hydrogen gas. If you have the right conditions and your charger was to make a spark (don't know if your charger has protection) it could be a problem. This is one of the biggest advantages of GEL and AGM technology.
Andy: It is probably not a bad idea. When flooded batteries start having a problem they can generate a fair amout of hydrogen gas. If you have the right conditions and your charger was to make a spark (don't know if your charger has protection) it could be a problem. This is one of the biggest advantages of GEL and AGM technology.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
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Ron Johnson
Charging creatres hydrogen gas
Have you ever noticed that the batteries tend to boil during rapid charging? The boiling action is the hydrogen gas escaping from the fluid and then the battery. Hydrogen gas makes rockets fly. Wonder what it can do for a boat on ignition? Sailkota
Have you ever noticed that the batteries tend to boil during rapid charging? The boiling action is the hydrogen gas escaping from the fluid and then the battery. Hydrogen gas makes rockets fly. Wonder what it can do for a boat on ignition? Sailkota
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John Nixon
Gassing Batteries
The release of hydrogen and oxygen during the charging of a lead acid battery is normal. However, in a non-sealed battery, such as a typical flooded cell, the hydrogen release is the potential problem. When the concentration of hydroden in the atmosphere reaches or exceeds 4.5%, it is explosive. Actually, it is VERY explosive. The only lead acid battery currently available that cannot and will not ever produce enough hydrogen to reach the magic 4.5% is the Lifeline AGM family of batteries. Even under massive and long term over-charging, they will never produce more than about 2.5% hydrogen, and under any normal charge protocol, basically will release only trace amounts of anything. In any flooded battery area that has either heat sources or spark sources, ventilation is the only thing between you and a fireball.
The release of hydrogen and oxygen during the charging of a lead acid battery is normal. However, in a non-sealed battery, such as a typical flooded cell, the hydrogen release is the potential problem. When the concentration of hydroden in the atmosphere reaches or exceeds 4.5%, it is explosive. Actually, it is VERY explosive. The only lead acid battery currently available that cannot and will not ever produce enough hydrogen to reach the magic 4.5% is the Lifeline AGM family of batteries. Even under massive and long term over-charging, they will never produce more than about 2.5% hydrogen, and under any normal charge protocol, basically will release only trace amounts of anything. In any flooded battery area that has either heat sources or spark sources, ventilation is the only thing between you and a fireball.
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Don Alexander
Blast!
Andy, Having blown the tops off batteries in my workshop at home (twice - I never learn) whilst welding when they were on charge and I disturbed the croc clips, I can vouch that it is an awesome event. Battery acid and little glass marbles flying everywhere. The batteries in question split their cases so all the acid got loose. Batteries on high rates of charge or whilst being overcharged generate both hydrogen AND oxygen. These gasses are also in perfect proportion for an explosion. You certainly would not want this below decks. A loose connection on any electrical item can cause the smallest spark and the gasses can permeate into other lockers so it is best never to let them gas. If you do consider an extractor fan make sure it is a brushless type as sparking brushes will cause the very thing you are trying to prevent. There are computer fans which run from 12 V DC and convert it to AC to turn an AC motor in the fan. Often the makers do not even bother to mention this on the label. Items for use in explosive atmospheres are rated as'intrinsically safe' and cost a bomb - sorry about the pun. Good luck and keep your hair on! Don.
Andy, Having blown the tops off batteries in my workshop at home (twice - I never learn) whilst welding when they were on charge and I disturbed the croc clips, I can vouch that it is an awesome event. Battery acid and little glass marbles flying everywhere. The batteries in question split their cases so all the acid got loose. Batteries on high rates of charge or whilst being overcharged generate both hydrogen AND oxygen. These gasses are also in perfect proportion for an explosion. You certainly would not want this below decks. A loose connection on any electrical item can cause the smallest spark and the gasses can permeate into other lockers so it is best never to let them gas. If you do consider an extractor fan make sure it is a brushless type as sparking brushes will cause the very thing you are trying to prevent. There are computer fans which run from 12 V DC and convert it to AC to turn an AC motor in the fan. Often the makers do not even bother to mention this on the label. Items for use in explosive atmospheres are rated as'intrinsically safe' and cost a bomb - sorry about the pun. Good luck and keep your hair on! Don.
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Paul Akers
Happend to me.
A few years ago I had an explosion while I was away from the boat. Apparently my batteries were gassing and a cigarette lighter that I had hot wired to one of the batteries parted from the connector and set off a spark. As I approached the boat, I could smell it before opening the boat. There was gas below, cracked battery casings, acid in the bilge and it took me many weeks to rid the smell. Even such things as brass lamps, wiring and pennies on my bureau (back aft) were corroded. I was lucky that the boat didn't burn.
A few years ago I had an explosion while I was away from the boat. Apparently my batteries were gassing and a cigarette lighter that I had hot wired to one of the batteries parted from the connector and set off a spark. As I approached the boat, I could smell it before opening the boat. There was gas below, cracked battery casings, acid in the bilge and it took me many weeks to rid the smell. Even such things as brass lamps, wiring and pennies on my bureau (back aft) were corroded. I was lucky that the boat didn't burn.
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wb
blinding batteries
for what its worth all batteries are dangerous and should be considered hazz mat on board. just wanted to mention back in the sixties my grand father was blinded by a car battery exploding in his face when jumping another car.maybe a difference in car batteries and marine batteries but all are considered hazz mat when transported via big truck.so ill close with this wear safety glasses when hooking up terminals to batteries explosions never warn before.for what its worth hope this is helpfull.
for what its worth all batteries are dangerous and should be considered hazz mat on board. just wanted to mention back in the sixties my grand father was blinded by a car battery exploding in his face when jumping another car.maybe a difference in car batteries and marine batteries but all are considered hazz mat when transported via big truck.so ill close with this wear safety glasses when hooking up terminals to batteries explosions never warn before.for what its worth hope this is helpfull.
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