[RE-wrenches] Battery degassing system

William Miller william at millersolar.com
Wed Dec 9 11:18:13 PST 2015


Friends:

I inspected a mobile system recently that consisted of a set of vented
lead-acid batteries directly below a rack of Outback FX inverters and
Flexware cabinets.  The batteries were not covered.  They did have a dual
set of tubes connecting the caps.  When I asked about the possible safety
concerns of not isolating vented batteries from electronics I was informed
by the installer of the system that the batteries had a “watering and
degassing” system that “pushed” the gas to the outside through a “flame
arrester”.



I was curious about this because we have always isolated batteries from
electronics by building some sort of enclosure, usually at some expense.
If there is some sort of new system that prevents this need, I want to know
about it.  I looked on-line and called the experts I know and found no
knowledge of such a system.



Have any of you heard of such a thing?



I did discuss the necessity of isolating batteries and one vendor indicated
that the only requirement they have in this regards is to calculate the
volume of off-gassing and provide adequate air exchange.  This upsets some
foundational understanding I have that vented batteries require isolation.
I am really wondering if we are wasting time and money building enclosures
to protect batteries when not needed.



Thoughts or comments are gratefully accepted.



Sincerely,



William Miller





[image: Gradient Cap_mini]
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600
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