Do extra batteries need ventilation?
I am getting rid of two old 12v batteries and upgrading to 4 6v batteries. Two will replace the originals, but 2 will be placed back in a compartment near where the inverter is installed. I am con...
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ja99er wrote:
Thanks for all of the great replies! This is really good information. I especially appreciate those with similar installations sharing their experiences.
So, to add to the details, I have replaced two flooded batteries with 4 AGM batteries. My concern with ventilation was not so much the explosion hazard, but the heat build-up. I am imagining that at a high load the inverter and batteries will get hot and should be aired out.
I went down the path of investigating ignition shielded blowers on the very slim chance that there could be a leak/build-up, but my main concern is heat and noise.
I may just find a DC speed control and a DC thermostat and put something together myself. I still would not know what fan to add to the mix, which is why I was looking at continuous duty rated blowers. But even if I put a bank of DC computer fans together I could get at least 120 cfm and turn over the air in the space at least once every minute.
Any additional input appreciated.
The natural leakyness of an RV is enough ventilation for an AGM battery, and they don't mind the heat, they prefer it even.
With AGM it's strongly recommended to use a temperature compensating charger, more for the cold weather to increase charging voltage, but also to watch for thermal runaway should some sort of fault occur.
Check out a website, MPJA.COM for cheap 12v temperature controllers, and all sorts of other 12v goodies.
