Kxracer704 wrote:
JoeChiOhki wrote:
Kxracer704 wrote:
JoeChiOhki wrote:
In my setup, I framed and boxed in where the batteries are, then used a section of abs pipe with a louverd vent cover on the outside that goes straight through the tub wall (As my battery boxes are inside the two dinette seats) at the highest point in the compartment.
Any recommendations on the style of louver for going to the exterior of the camper?
I actually found them pre-made in the roofing aisle at home depot. They make round soffit louvers caps that have a screen in them that fit perfectly inside of a 2" piece of ABS pipe.
Mine extend past the skin about an inch and a half and I angled the opening just a bit to match the curvature of the aluminum skin on the outside.
As to the subject about watering the batteries, that's very easily taken care of with a water filling cap kit for the batteries themselves.
https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2000-Pro-Fill-Battery-Kit/dp/B001FCAXT0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3VL6ACX18AOLS&dchild=1&keywords=battery+watering+system&qid=1611622375&sprefix=Battery+Water%2Cautomotive%2C315&sr=8-3
This method only requires connecting a squeeze ball assembly and inserting the hose into a jug of distilled water and squeezing till the ball becomes first (The battery caps have floats in them that close when the batteries reach ideal water levels).
I am using this method on my rig as well, so I only have to open one compartment up to go and water the batteries periodically.
Thanks for the advice
Most welcome :). For yours, since you can't direct anchor through the top of the pipe like I was able to, a flat abs flange like the kind used for attaching to holding tank could be used on the inside wall with a bead of automotive seam sealer between it and the compartment wall-side, which would allow you to screw it into the wall material to keep the joint in as much compression as reasonably possible.
The outside louver I mentioned, I simply used a 1/2" self-taping screw to secure into the end of the pipe to keep it from vibrating out, I did not put any sealant between the outlet side of the pipe and louver, so to allow as much air flow as possible, as mine extend out from the wall a little ways on the outside because they're exit point is below the overhanging wing of the outside wall, so visually they are out of sight, out of mind and because they're painted to match the rest of the camper, they're not an immediate eye grabber. The louver was mainly meant to act as a rain and bug preventer in my setup, because the camper itself shelters the outlet from the majority of rain that could get to it.
In your case, you will likely want to seal the the pipe to the outside skin in some fashion, as the louver itself will not have a big enough flange to seal to the wall on its own.
There are exterior battery vent louvers that you can get that are plastic, but they are designed for use with a flexible hose coming off a battery box and may require some extra engineering to make work with a rigid pipe going through the wall.
Also, make sure you get the pipe at the very top of the battery compartment space, so that you don't get a pocket of pooled hydrogen gas trapped above the vent.
