Battery bank fan

[oregon wind]

I know you can purchase battery bank fans.  If you wanted to build your own is a muffin fan the best way to go?

[Airstream]

The best industrial application I've seen is a low RPM squirrel cage fan in a plenum with the electricals held outside the steel duct to minimize reactions with serious outgassing getting vented. This was a 24/7 fan.

[wpowokal]

I do not see the need for a fan, for flouded lead acid batteries just provide an upwards vent with an air entry low down. Hydragen is some 50 times lighter than air and rises readly.

allan

[tomtmook]

Is it truly a good suggestion to line the bottom of your battery box with baking soda to neutralize the acid vapors that don't vent?  Would lime work?

Comments please from those with experience.  

[zeusmorg]

 Baking soda will neutralize the acid, not the vapors, which are hydrogen which as they are lighter than normal air, will rise to the highest point.

 If you have an acid problem reaching the floor, chances are you're "boiling" or have over-filled your batteries. Most batteries have a high water mark on the fill neck, and a low water mark. Keep your acid within those lines. If there is no "air gap" at the top of the filler neck at the operating temperature of the batteries you will  

expel acid. KEEP your batteries CLEAN! they like it, and will last longer.

 It really depends on your enclosure and how many batteries you have within it. You do want positive venting, which can be achieved with a chimney at the highest point of containment, or with a fan.