[VAC] Re: Battery Boxes

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joy,
 The batteries in our Avion are mounted inside the coach, under the
front couch. They're 2, Group 24 "RV/Marine" type, and are vented via
special caps. Each cap covers 3 cells and has a little nipple on the
side that a rubber tube connects to. All tubes are connected with Tees
and a single tube (about 1/4" ID) exits through the floor and bellypan.
This system is apparently OEM, and luckily, the caps fit the new
batteries that I bought.

You're correct that a proper 3-stage charger will minimize the hydrogen
generation. A clue is how much water the battery uses; if it's a lot,
you're creating quite a bit of gas, if it's minimal, there should be
little gas accumulation. As you know, I have an InteliPower along with
the solar system. In 2 seasons of use, I think I've added water to my
batteries only once, maybe twice.

If you're using Golf Cart 6 volt batteries, you can install "HydroCaps"
that use a catalyst to recombine the hydrogen and oxygen. This largely
prevents off-gassing and reduces the need for watering. Of course, you
can use the [very expensive] gel cell or AGM batteries that are totally
sealed, but you absolutely MUST use a good charging system with them or
their life will be short.

                                               <<Jim>>