BATTERY BOX QUESTION

[jackel1959]

I will be installing the new battery box with two 6 volt batteries in the next day or so. I noticed the current 12 volt battery box not only has a vent on top but also a hole in the bottom that goes through to the outside. My question is: Is the hole in the bottom a vent too or meant to act as a drain? The new box I bought (Blue Sea) has a deep well for any fluid that may leak/spill and I will incorporate the vent on top for sure and will certainly try to incorporate the bottom one, but if I don't, how big of a deal is it? Thanks.
Jack

[emorris548]

Jack,

I can not answer about the bottom hole, I think it's for a drain. However, I can tell you I have two 6 volt batteries in my battery box without a bottom hole, for the last two years, and have not had any problems with venting. I used a hole saw to put a hole in the lid of the new box, then used a jig saw to cut the top off of the old 12 volt battery box, then screwed and glued it to the top of the new box. Made an easy attachment to the factory vent hose.

Good Travels,
Lee

[8.1al]

I would think you need the hole in the bottom to promote airflow through the box and out the top

[Jolu]

I would suggest come up a couple of inches from the bottom and cut a vent hole on the side of each battery box.
This would help if there was an acid spill or leak in the battery box. It would save the bottom of the bay.

On Edit: To clarify a little more. The side hole is in addition to the vent on top. This would aid venting. This goes along the lines of what Charlie suggests doing.

[padredw]

I have posted the following photo and the accompanying DOC file several times on this forum, but since the question on this thread relates directly to my experience. I'll put it up again. This relates to my installation of a BlueSea Battery Box and two "golf cart" 6 volt batteries in my 2955RL Montana:

Here is the DOC file

http://www.dw4u.net/box.doc

And the photo:

[ronnilu]

Jolu - not to be argumentive, but I would hesitate to cut side holes unless they were vented by tubing to the outside of the storage area. There are numerous cautions about sparks, battery explosions, fumes, etc. and several of my electricals are in my front storage compartment where my batteries are located. I do have four 6 volt batteries in one enclosed box up there, but it is vented both at top & bottom. mike

[Trailer Trash 2]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

I would think you need the hole in the bottom to promote airflow through the box and out the top

Bingo!!! thats exactly what its for hydrogin gas rise good air inthe bottom and bad out the top

[jackel1959]

For all,
I truly understand the need for venting the battery box and fumes to the outside. The only reason I asked the question about the bottom vent is because the way the current 12 volt box is, the battery sits flush to the floor of the box with little or no chance for fresh air to enter through the bottom.
Jack

[Jolu]

Jack that is the way my dual battery came when new. The hole in the bottom of the box and bay floor is covered by one the batteries. This allowed no chance of any convection venting from the bottom to the top and out the vent tube. Information I have read from experts familiar with battery configurations with knowledge beyond guess work in my estimation say that a hole near the bottom causes a convection effect causing venting out the top vent tube. The purpose is to get any of the gas buildup out the top vent so there is not a danger of a spark threat.

[jackel1959]

Jolu:
Thanks for the info. If need be, I will do some "creative engineering" to ensure the bottom vent is installed.

David & Shirley:
Thank you for the photo and the Word document.

I will post some photos of my install and how it all works out.

[Trailer Trash 2]

Here is how I did mine, It's not a air tight container as our original 12 volt boxes were. But they dont make a sealed box for the 6 volt batteries, especally the big 6 volt which I have and are taller and fatter.


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...5/DSC06221.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...5/DSC06223.jpg

[Jolu]

Don,
Where did you get the white flex hose and tee?

[Trailer Trash 2]

quote:Originally posted by Jolu

Don,
Where did you get the white flex hose and tee?

The "T" is from home depot PVC stuff and the hose is from the swimming pool hose or fresh water hose from the RV supply, I cant remember which.

[OntMont]

The Blue Sea box is a marine grade box. It is made to contain any spillage, and that is the way mine is installed. I did cut a vent hole in the top, similar to PadreDW. Note also that the lid does have slots for the wires that also provide ventilation. Hydrogen gas is very light and an would tend to collect in the lid at the top of the box anyway. So, for what it is worth, my vote is to keep the Blue Sea box intact, and just provide a vent in the lid to the outside.

[RCN.Stoker]

This is from Windsun alternative energy's web site. This is why battery boxes made for AGM batteries do not require either drains or vents. Most golf kart batteries I have seen are AGM but I would check to be sure.

AGM batteries have several advantages over both gelled and flooded, at about the same cost as gelled:

Since all the electrolyte (acid) is contained in the glass mats, they cannot spill, even if broken. This also means that since they are non-hazardous, the shipping costs are lower. In addition, since there is no liquid to freeze and expand, they are practically immune from freezing damage.

Nearly all AGM batteries are "recombinant" - what that means is that the Oxygen and Hydrogen recombine INSIDE the battery. These use gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates to recombine them back into water while charging and prevent the loss of water through electrolysis. The recombining is typically 99+% efficient, so almost no water is lost.

The charging voltages are the same as for any standard battery - no need for any special adjustments or problems with incompatible chargers or charge controls. And, since the internal resistance is extremely low, there is almost no heating of the battery even under heavy charge and discharge currents. The Concorde (and most AGM) batteries have no charge or discharge current limits.

AGM's have a very low self-discharge - from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for much longer periods without charging than standard batteries. The Concorde batteries can be almost fully recharged (95% or better) even after 30 days of being totally discharged.

AGM's do not have any liquid to spill, and even under severe overcharge conditions hydrogen emission is far below the 4% max specified for aircraft and enclosed spaces. The plates in AGM's are tightly packed and rigidly mounted, and will withstand shock and vibration better than any standard battery.