Forum Discussion

Jethrodean's avatar
Jethrodean
Explorer
Apr 17, 2018

Battery question in conversion camper

Hey guys new to the site. Ive got a enclosed trailer and im turning it into a camper. My question is can i have the batteries in the camper. Ive built a small closet for my fuse box my converter and a spot for my batteries. I was gonna cut a hole on side of the trailer to vent the batteries. And cut another hole at the top with a small fan to push the hydrogen out while im charging the batteries. So hole on the bottom with a vent cap and a hole a few feet above with a fan and a vent cap to circulate the air. I was wondering if this would work. Thanks guys.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2018
    Jethrodean wrote:
    Ive built a small closet for my fuse box my converter and a spot for my batteries.

    I was gonna cut a hole on side of the trailer to vent the batteries. And cut another hole at the top with a small fan to push the hydrogen out while im charging the batteries.


    Invest in AGM batteries and no external venting is required. Yes, AGMs are equipped with one way vents but they only vent if excessive pressure builds up because the battery is being incorrectly overcharged. Charge properly and an AGM will never vent.
  • HadEnough's avatar
    HadEnough
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2018
    That's a good design. Nothing wrong with that. The fan isn't necessarily either. Hydrogen will rise up and out of vents at the top of a battery enclosure.
  • Jethrodean's avatar
    Jethrodean
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2018
    I want to keep the power supply simple. Generator to ac/dc converter to 2 6 volt batteries to a fuse box. The only things hooked to the fuse box would be 3 led camper lights the small fan for the batteries and to power a small furnace. I didnt want shore power or all the things in a rv. Just a few lights and a 30000 btu furnace.
  • Jethrodean's avatar
    Jethrodean
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2018
    Can i buy a battery box that vents to the outside but have the battery box in the same area. I built a small closet type thing for my fuse box converter and batteries. Its 4 foottall by 22inches by 22 inches. I got the fuse box havent ordered a converter or batteries yet.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 17, 2018
    Batteries have to be 'isolated' from converter/fuse box and vented to outside.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Apr 17, 2018
    You could with proper ventilation...but I wouldn’t. Put the batteries on the tongue with the propane bottles.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Apr 17, 2018
    Yes that will work. You do want the batteries and their vent tightly partitioned off from the rest of the electronics, so the hydrogen doesn't contribute to corrosion of the electronics. I would recommend you get AGM batteries, to avoid the possibility of acid spillage in the trailer.

    I would recommend the fan be on the "inside" wall of the compartment, and a vent hole on the outside wall. Have the fan keep a positive pressure on the battery compartment.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2018
    Go for it. I have batteries in a box inside my trailer, vented at the top to the outside.

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