AGM Batteries - Any downside?

Passing out with cigarette while AGM are gassing because of being overcharged? When - under the fool moon over your solar panel? :) ... Or while on the "quiet" 70 DB generator that your your neighbors can hear with closed doors and windows? I personally would worry about passing out with burning cigarette, no matter if there are any batteries there or not. That is - if I smoked.

A sealed compartment in RV? This is not a boat. On the boat there are waterproof bulkheads between compartments, all lids have gaskets with the same waterproof requirement. Vented are only spaces that need to be.

Storage spaces like under the bedroom in TT are not sealed, there is air circulating to the outside and to the inside. Inverters next to the battery - a problem, yes, more a problem with FLA than with AGM. I don't think AGM need extra vents in un-sealed compartment like TT storage area, but nothing stops you from making the same things as people do with FLA in this case - vent it through the hose to the outside.

Anybody remembers those VW Westy vans, with FLA battery inside the cabin, under the passenger seat? Is this "vented", really?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Eat beans. Wait three hours If your better half leaves then refuses to enter after two more hours have passed, you have a sealed trailer living space.

Also ... if your better half refuses to enter you probably shouldn't introduce any open flames into the interior of the RV at that point ... regardless of your battery situation. :S :B

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Eat beans. Wait three hours If your better half leaves then refuses to enter after two more hours have passed, you have a sealed trailer living space.

LOL!

:B:B:B:E

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Eat beans. Wait three hours If your better half leaves then refuses to enter after two more hours have passed, you have a sealed trailer living space.

Eat beans. Wait three hours If your better half leaves then refuses to enter after two more hours have passed, you have a sealed trailer living space.

mena661 wrote:

full_mosey wrote:

Can AGMs be used in UNsealed living spaces without requiring venting?

This is a great question! What constitutes a sealed compartment?

Probably not a good idea to mount them beside your propane stove top :)

Usually "they" go on about not putting inverters etc in with the batts in case the electric device sparks.

Passing out in bed while smoking is also frowned upon.

Don't wear a helmet when riding your bicycle and see how long you will last!

You have to pick and choose risk based on your own priorities.

full_mosey wrote:

Can AGMs be used in UNsealed living spaces without requiring venting?

This is a great question! What constitutes a sealed compartment?

BFL13 wrote:
Each person has to do his own risk assessment. The story is that AGMs will only vent if overcharged, and you can avoid doing that. Also as long as your solar controller's high set-point holds.

a few years back, the moderator here at the time gave me a blast for suggesting AGMs could be used inside unvented. He cited a recent incident where the US Coast Guard warned about that after a boat blew up from having AGMs in a sealed compartment below. Seems there are codes about it all now.

I don't consider my house or TT to be a sealed compartment.

I agree, do not install batteries in a sealed compartment.

Can AGMs be used in UNsealed living spaces without requiring venting?

HTH;
John

full_mosey wrote:

In practice, I see no need to provide venting for AGM. Hospital medical devices use them. I have two APC UPSs right at my feet as I type this at home. I have an AGM under my bed at night in the TT.

Your UPS is vented. Also, they're typically used in offices and rooms. And those batteries are tiny compared to something used in a boat or RV. Plenty of space for the acid to dissipate when they do vent. And they most certainly do get overcharged and vent. Been using UPS batteries for years (I'm an IT guy) and have stacks of bulged batteries to prove it.

Each person has to do his own risk assessment. The story is that AGMs will only vent if overcharged, and you can avoid doing that. Also as long as your solar controller's high set-point holds.

a few years back, the moderator here at the time gave me a blast for suggesting AGMs could be used inside unvented. He cited a recent incident where the US Coast Guard warned about that after a boat blew up from having AGMs in a sealed compartment below. Seems there are codes about it all now.