Author Topic: a question about outgassing  (Read 5342 times)

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ZooT

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a question about outgassing
« on: January 29, 2008, 09:58:47 AM »
Tonight I came home from work and found what appears to be evidence of some leakage around the caps of my dual 115 ah deep cycle battery bank....(dust circles with dark centers that look "new but not wet")....and yeah they're both in plastic battery boxes.....


Is this normal?

« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 09:58:47 AM by (unknown) »

Volvo farmer

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2008, 06:29:38 AM »
Yes.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 06:29:38 AM by Volvo farmer »
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brkwind2

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2008, 07:05:40 AM »
My wife says I'm an expert on this.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 07:05:40 AM by brkwind2 »

tecker

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2008, 10:12:39 AM »
I don't think you'll find this in any manuel but I keep a sock full of baking soda in a jar and just a light dusting around the posts and around top of the battery . Before adding water I put the battery on a 30 to 40 degree angle and wash down the top with water and let dry .
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 10:12:39 AM by tecker »

wpowokal

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2008, 02:25:35 PM »
Just don't let the bakig soda get into the battery, ie between posts and seal, it will neutralise the acid. I just use a damp rag which has been dipped in a say teaspoon to 3 litre solution.


allan down under

« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 02:25:35 PM by wpowokal »
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freeEnergy4me

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2008, 08:28:40 PM »
I am kind of a noob with this stuff. I'm a EE, but haven't really used my degree in the past 10 years.


Just some questions about using batteries in the house.  



  1. Grounding the batteries. I have a Marine Deep Cycle battery and want to use it to power household items. Does it matter if the battery is directly connected to an inverter without any grounding?
  2. Outgassing. If the battery is boxed inside, say in my family room, and powers the TV or whatever, how much outgassing H2 and O2 would come from 1 12V battery? What concern is the outgassing to health and/our explosion?  How safe is it to have these batteries around, even if boxed?
  3. what precautions should I take in general? It seems pretty harmless but every time I read about lead-acid batteries it sounds like the things blow up and shower you in acid if you just nudge them.


PS, keep bicarbonate and water around? Got it.


BTW, this is a kick ass site. I'm installing solar panels and a windturbine. And also purchased a DC perm magnet motor to regenerate my batteries with my exercise bike. I'm also looking at ways to create a generator out of an excercise pully system. Build the lats and biceps while powering your house!


Thanks in advance for any advice. I plan on playing around with the battery/inverter in the next few days.

« Last Edit: February 01, 2008, 08:28:40 PM by freeEnergy4me »

wpowokal

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2008, 08:31:32 AM »
Question #1, depends on your inverter, I am not suficiantly familuar to offer an opinion.


Q#2, lead acid batteries need good ventilation, IMHO they are not good bed companions, do not place them in an unventilated space with electronic equipment ie inverter.


Q#3 Basically they need to be well ventilated, adequatly fused (fuses are to protect cables) as to blowing up it is possible to ignight the hydrogen gas that is given off during charging at gassing voltages. But understand what you are doing and don't supply the source of ignition.


Batteries realy a big field if one is to obtain the best from them, they do represent the bigest single component cost in a renewable energy system.


allan down under

« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 08:31:32 AM by wpowokal »
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freeEnergy4me

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2008, 10:31:21 AM »
I just received my inverter. My question is...the inverter connects directly to the battery...but you're not supposed to have them near each other???


The connecting cables are SHORT. So what's the deal with that? How do you avoid havnig them nearby?


Also, is H2 only generated when charging or discharging?


Is it strictly ventilation? If you have enough ventilation then you don't need to worry about it?


Sorry if I sound pathetic. But I'd rather not get startled with a burst of burning H2.

« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 10:31:21 AM by freeEnergy4me »

spinningmagnets

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2008, 10:38:34 AM »
I hope to build an RE system in a few years, here's what I saved about battery ventilation


http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/11/24/24232/758


http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/11/2/2313/50182

« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 10:38:34 AM by spinningmagnets »

TomW

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2008, 11:28:54 AM »
4me;




The connecting cables are SHORT. So what's the deal with that? How do you avoid havnig them nearby?



They do sell this stuff called "cable". I would suggest copper as heavy as you can reasonably afford. Some method to splice on or otherwise connect to the inverter. Split bolt connectors work fairly well.


Your comment implies this is a low end "mobile" inverter.


Does it use alligator clips or cigarrete lighter plug for the battery connection? If so thats the first thing to change.


The more info you provide higher quality responses will result.


Cheers.


TomW

« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 11:28:54 AM by TomW »

freeEnergy4me

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2008, 05:13:24 PM »
Thanx.


I'm guessing one battery wouldn't be that big of deal.


Initially I am just going to test my limits, see how much ampage I will need and how much juice I will get out of my panels and turbine. So I probably will tow around a few 1 or 2 Deep Cycle batteries around the house, charge them, then use an inverter to power common stuff around the house.


At first I don't think I'll worry that much about the gas, but I will keep the batteries in a box and wear goggles when connecting/disconnecting.


This site has been a huge help. Its answering all the questions I've had so far.

« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 05:13:24 PM by freeEnergy4me »

bj

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Re: a question about outgassing
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2008, 02:37:54 PM »


     I posted this about year ago, but after reading all the good

comments, I decided to do it again.

     First off, I was doing something dumb.  Like using a battery

that I knew had a shorted cell.  Had just finished doing a SB chevy,

and needed to start it on the run in stand.  Knew the battery

was bad, but, figured it would start the engine.  Engine fired, then

quit--late timing.  Second go, battery won't,so put the charger on.

15 minutes later, shut off the charger, disconnected the charger, and

tried the engine.

     I had on safety glasses, thankfully, but when I hit the starter,

I saw a spark at the battery terminal, and heard a loud crack.  My shop

is 40 by 70, and I swear there was a small piece of that battery casing in

half of it.

     Other than ruined coveralls, no real damage.

     My point is though, in the house, not everyone is protected.  So

please be careful.


    Respectfully

    bj

« Last Edit: February 10, 2008, 02:37:54 PM by bj »
"Even a blind squirrel will find an acorn once in a while"
bj
Lamont AB Can.