Question about venting battery

[catleppert]

Chuck is working on the electrical - and hoping that someone on here can answer his question regarding venting of the battery. Here are some pics of the battery placement under the galley counter in a battery box - is this adequate venting, or do we need to put a hole in the box and the side of the camper to vent it outside?

PIC SHOWING SETUP WITHOUT BATTERY IN PLACE



WITH BATTERY IN PLACE

[Shadow Catcher]

It depends on the type of battery, If you use an AGM (more expensive) than probably no, if a conventional deep cycle probably yes. The probably is because it looks like you are using a low amp charger looks to be 1.5A which would be less likely to cause the battery to out gas and would mean probably no.

[H.A.]

.

[bdosborn]

From East Penn's AGM Technical Manual:
"IMPORTANT: Do not install any type of battery in a completely
sealed box or enclosure. In the event of overcharging,
the potentially explosive gasses must be allowed to
escape."

Doesn't happen very often but AGM batteries will vent if the charger goes bad. Then they can explode if not vented.

VRLA Thermal Runaway

Bruce

[MtnDon]

When it comes to batteries I tend to the cautious side; don't like the "probably" don't need that philosophy. If you have ever seen the aftermath of a battery explosion you would understand more why I think that way. Bruce's "runaway" link reinforces that opinion. Along with my cautious approach to lead-acid batteries which includes AGM, maintenance free and gel types, I believe batteries do not belong inside any living space. In a vented battery box is okay I suppose but I do prefer a compartment/box/area that is totally divorced from human and animal occupied spaces.