Battery and it's gas

[jusfloatin]

I was concidering in placeing an extra lead acid deep cycle battery under the seat/bench/small storage box that is made out of wood on my f/g. I would like to think I built it good enough that it could be considered some what sealed.
It's probably not need a sealed as I think but I believe you get the idea.
I would lift the lid on the box when the boat is at home and being charged but I have a growing concern that even when the battery is being drawn or just from being shook up from waves it still has gasses coming off.
I have no problem cutting some or even a bunch of vent holes but I am still have concern if someone was to be sitting with a smoke or even be close to it.
Am I making more out of it than I should or not enough.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Battery and it's gas

I was concidering in placeing an extra lead acid deep cycle battery under the seat/bench/small storage box that is made out of wood on my f/g. I would like to think I built it good enough that it could be considered some what sealed.
It's probably not need a sealed as I think but I believe you get the idea.
I would lift the lid on the box when the boat is at home and being charged but I have a growing concern that even when the battery is being drawn or just from being shook up from waves it still has gasses coming off.
I have no problem cutting some or even a bunch of vent holes but I am still have concern if someone was to be sitting with a smoke or even be close to it.
Am I making more out of it than I should or not enough.

It maybe just me, but I would be more concerned that people are smoking around vented gas tanks in a flammable boat then a vented battery.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Battery and it's gas

I really don't think a battery is going to be that flammable around smokers. I may bring on a riot of protest, but in the years I smoked, I had smoked plenty of times right next to lead-acid batteries and at times near fuel fumes. The lighting of the smoke is the dangerous part, so making sure any venting is not inside the deck area will be important. If your fuel tank is built-in, then it is likely vented out the hull, so I don't think you have much risk unless the smokers are lighting up while leaning into your bilge area, which would lead to a natural selection moment if they were.

I say, batteries, no problem, fuel fumes.. be careful. Just tell the smokers they can smoke onboard, just not light up

 

[Splat]

Re: Battery and it's gas

Batteries only produce hydrogen gas while being charged. And also only really produce it while being charged above %80. The only time there would be a real danger would be while the engine is running and charging the battery. I would also think while the engine is running you'd be underway and creating drafts and fresh air while in the boat, thus lessening the chance of a problem. One last thing. Hydrogen is lighter than air (think of the Hindenburgh Disaster and why they used Hydrogen gas) so it won't collect in your bildges or even in you cabin area.

Bottom line the danger from a explosion is very small, and I wouldn't worry much about it.

Bill

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Battery and it's gas

One less worry, I thank you all for your post.