karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Jan 11, 2009 21:25:07 GMT
The leisure battery has died in my Kangoo Roo and I need to buy a replacement.
Whilst browsing battery sites I noticed something I hadn't previously considered - that all battery compartments should be ventilated rather than risk an explosion from the hydrogen given off during charging batteries.
My battery was fitted into a small melamine cupboard beneath the bed. It's neither sealed nor ventilated but I'm wondering if it should be....? It charges from the main engine battery and I also connect a 2W solar panel to give it a boost when I'm away for a week or so to ensure there's enough power to run the light, tap and recharge camera batteries?
What arrangements do others have? Are your battery compartments vented?
If venting is necessary how is this best achieved?
As it's not going to be very practical to vent my battery compartment, would a plastic battery box with a small hose run beneath the carpeting to protrude beneath the sliding door be adequate?
All thoughts/observations would be appreciated.
Thank You
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Post by ant on Jan 13, 2009 8:39:50 GMT
Hi Karen.
The flooded lead acid battery will always need venting, if you don't have a vented compartment I would fit a sealed for life battery, they are a bit dearer but you save on the cost and hassle of altering your battery compartment.
Ant
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Jan 14, 2009 15:32:00 GMT
Thanks, Ant. The battery fitted is an 85amp non-sealed, flooded-cell lead acid leisure battery lodged in a small unsealed, unventilated locker within the living area (which also includes a small gas hob) hence I'm concerned about the risks from sparks. I'm looking at sealed batteries such as this (would this be suitable?): www.batterymegastore.co.uk/cgi-bin/megastore/commerce.cgi?product=Batteries_Caravan!Exrider_Blue&pid=950.htm My problem is that current 85amp batteries are 25-26cm wide and my locker is only 24cm at a very tight squeeze so to replace it my options are a smaller-dimensioned 55amp (expensive) gel battery (which might not last a full week - I wild-camp so rely on it for lights etc), or a larger-sized lead acid leisure battery which would involve removing the side panel from the locker in order for it to fit. Does the sealed battery not require venting? If it does, then I could drill into the melamine locker housing to run tubing through the loo locker and pass it down to the exterior where it will protrude discreetly beneath the door. Please excuse me if I sound a bit thick - it's the first time I've replaced a battery and suddenly realised safety issues might have previously been overlooked (and by the camper converting company). Your advice is much appreciated, thank you. Karen |
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Post by ant on Jan 15, 2009 8:27:14 GMT
Hi Karen.
You mention the width of the batteries being 25 - 26cm, Thats normally the length of a standard 85amp battery the width is normally around 17cm. the link you gave shows batteries that are even longer at about 28cm. At £103 for an 85amp/hr battery the price is in my opinion too high. I stock an 85amp/hr sealed battery 260mm long, 175mm wide, 195mm high for £50 + vat. Being sealed it can be fitted without the need for venting so if it doesn't fit the box you could fit it somewhere else and extend the wires.
Ant
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colin
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 15
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Post by colin on Jul 10, 2009 16:05:06 GMT
Ant
are you aware of specific recommendations for venting compartments with flooded lead acid batteries?
Karen mentions 'leading a tube down', but hydrogen rises and is unlikely to go down a tube. I would imagine avoiding any closed compartments with electrical gear eg charger and not positioning below a cooker. Any thoughts?
Interestingly our manufacturer fittted leisure battery is under the passenger seat vith no external vent.
Colin
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Post by martinw on Jul 19, 2009 10:05:37 GMT
As the hydrogen builds up in the battery it will force it down the tube, it can only go where the tube takes it.
Just my two pennath, HTH Martin
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colin
15+ posts.... a Uni wheeler!
Posts: 15
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Post by colin on Jul 27, 2009 22:07:10 GMT
As the hydrogen builds up in the battery it will force it down the tube, it can only go where the tube takes it. Just my two pennath, HTH Martin Ah, I may have misunderstood what Karen was trying to do, I thought she meant venting the battery compartment with a tube, which won't work unless the tube goes up and out. Certainly if she connected a tube directly to a vent hole in the battery itself that would lead the gas out of the compartment rather than build up insde it. The batteries I have don't have that sort of vent hole. |
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Jul 28, 2009 16:01:50 GMT
I was given some conflicting advice re batteries and the venting requirement, including by leisure battery suppliers.
To play safe'ish, I bought a sealed lead calcium 85amp leisure battery, attached tubing to the side vents and ran these through the locker, taped them to the body so they vent to the outside beneath the door. It's a bit Heath-Robinson but it seems to work.
I wasn't happy about having no means of venting the previous lead acid battery positioned directly oppositenaked flames on the gas hob... although this has now been superceded by a 12V microwave instead.
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