Battery Vapor???
07-26-2004, 06:48 PM
#1
0.0 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Battery Vapor???
Hey guys , long time reader, 1st time posting. In prep for my turbo install on my 91 CRXsi/b20, I did Abaz's DIY battery relocation including the same battery box and all. The other day I was talking to this dsm guy and had done a battery relocate, but said that you have to use a sealed box with a vent tube because the battery produces DEADLY vapors?? My old 73 beetle had the battery under the back seat, and new batterys are completly sealed anyways 
, is this guy on crack or what? :P-Thanks
, is this guy on crack or what? :P-Thanks
07-26-2004, 09:51 PM
#7
1.5 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,008
Re:Battery Vapor???
smoking and a venting battery do not mix. even a sealed battery vents...especially when it fully charges. sealed means that it doesn't have caps to pop off to refill the cells with distilled water and won't spill if tipped over. you'll probably be ok, but with how easy it is to put it in a sealed box and make a vent tube is easy and worth not finding out the hard way.
07-26-2004, 10:29 PM
#8
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,463
Re:Battery Vapor???
Hey Birdman,
Some of the racing sanctioning bodies (NHRA and IHRA) require a sealed box, with a vent tube to the outside air, for vehicles without a rear firewall (like a hatch or Rex). These requirements are for lead acid batteries.
Here is a link to an approved box from Moroso - http://www.moroso.com/catalog/catego...?catcode=42001
The vapors (actually it's hydrogen gas) lead acid batteries produce during charge/discharge cycles are explosive. That's why they sometimes blow up when people jump start and make the final connection near the discharged battery. It's not from hooking it up wrong, it's from that last connection that produces a spark near the heavilly discharged battery. All the vapors floating around it light off and blow things up.
There is a much smaller worry for this with a gel cell or sealed/dry cell battery. Here is a quote from the FAQ on the Optima website....
Does OPTIMA ever Gas?
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
That's it, I'm done now. Go and sin no more.
Craig @ Tuner Toys
Some of the racing sanctioning bodies (NHRA and IHRA) require a sealed box, with a vent tube to the outside air, for vehicles without a rear firewall (like a hatch or Rex). These requirements are for lead acid batteries.
Here is a link to an approved box from Moroso - http://www.moroso.com/catalog/catego...?catcode=42001
The vapors (actually it's hydrogen gas) lead acid batteries produce during charge/discharge cycles are explosive. That's why they sometimes blow up when people jump start and make the final connection near the discharged battery. It's not from hooking it up wrong, it's from that last connection that produces a spark near the heavilly discharged battery. All the vapors floating around it light off and blow things up.
There is a much smaller worry for this with a gel cell or sealed/dry cell battery. Here is a quote from the FAQ on the Optima website....
Does OPTIMA ever Gas?
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
That's it, I'm done now. Go and sin no more.
Craig @ Tuner Toys
07-27-2004, 06:00 AM
#9
3.0 BAR
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,365
Re:Battery Vapor???
Well Craig pretty much summed it all up.. I'll add my .02 anyways.
I've worked a lot with batteries, within the autoparts industry and also with deep cycle batteries for various purpouses. I don't like working with batteries but I do anyways.
You might be fine without running a vent tube/sealed box; but it's highly recommended that you take the extra time and make one. Even if you drive with the windows rolled down all the time, it's just a good idea to go ahead and install that ----.. no sense in killing any more brain cells.
I've worked a lot with batteries, within the autoparts industry and also with deep cycle batteries for various purpouses. I don't like working with batteries but I do anyways.
You might be fine without running a vent tube/sealed box; but it's highly recommended that you take the extra time and make one. Even if you drive with the windows rolled down all the time, it's just a good idea to go ahead and install that ----.. no sense in killing any more brain cells.
07-27-2004, 06:19 PM
#10
0.0 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Re:Battery Vapor???
Cool 
, I am going to order that moroso box(or something similar) soon because hopefully my set up will be finished before the tracks close :P. That guy was looking at me like I was insane driving like that, so I figured I had to ask. Thanks again.
, I am going to order that moroso box(or something similar) soon because hopefully my set up will be finished before the tracks close :P. That guy was looking at me like I was insane driving like that, so I figured I had to ask. Thanks again.
