What's that smell??

[rockingham]

Just installed a single battery bank on my Montgomery 17. Used a 6 Amp ProSport Marine Battery charger from West Marine, plugged into a 110 volt outlet in the house, with a group 27 AGM battery, West Marine brand. Everything ran fine with all the functions in the charger operating ok as indicated by the various leds involved with the unit. After about a week on battery maintenance mode I noticed a distinct metallic smell in the enclosed cabin. In about three minutes I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. Aired the boat out and unplugged the system. The smell disappeared so it probably wasn't a dead fish in the bilge. Anybody have a similar experience or know what might have happened? I plan on contacting the charger company and West Marine but thought it would be a good idea to tap into this information base also.
Thanks for any insights into this matter.
Tom B

 

[woodster]

check your battery water to see if it is low these bats will gas when over charged and expel gas sounds like that may be what happened to you

 

[NYSail]

AGM batteries are sealed with no water......

 

[woodster]

AGM batteries are sealed with no water......

OPPS i didn't read that very well you are correct..now if that charger is not designed to charge AGM's then that may be the problem

 

[rockingham]

thanks for the quick reply, Woody. The charger I have, new, has a selector system for charging AGM/flooded batteries or Gel type. I selected AGM/flooded which I have read should not be grouped together in a charger. Don't know if that bit of info is accurate but that is all I have for choices with this charger, no way to split off the two types of batteries. I did read that all batteries give off some hydrogen while being charged though I do not know where it would come out of this AGM battery, seems like there must be some way to vent off the generated hydrogen. I am thinking that is what I smelled. Both components, battery and charger have remained totally cool to the touch throughout the whole charging/ maintaining sequence these past several weeks.
Come Monday I will try to contact the manufacturer of the charger. I have moved the battery back outside until then.
Fair winds,
Tom B

 

[centerline]

the smell is probably the gasses from the battery. the batteries will off gas as they charge...and if you can smell the gas in the enclosed space, its likely to be very explosive.... say "mini hydrogen bomb"...

you NEED ventilation for the batteries, such as an open cowl vent... the hydrogen gas is lighter than air so even a single passive vent will help a lot, but cowl vents should be used in pairs for the best effect.... one facing forward on one side, and one facing aft on the other side.