| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.62 Rating: N/A |
I'm looking at a bus that has a house bank of 6 8D batteries. The batt bank is on a slide in the center bay of an MC9. In the same bay, somewhat separated by wall panels, but certainly not isolated (however there is a lot of air space above the batteries) is a basement A/C unit and inverter. Is it OK for those components to share the same bay? Is that asking for trouble? Thanks! | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 609 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.238.13  Rating: N/A |
...flooded lead batteries give off hydrogen & must be atmospherically vented separately from any source of the ignition (Hydrogen is lighter than air), the "acid fumes" are also not a good thing and are corrosive. Some batteries have a vent tube to connect a hose for venting and glass mats normally do very little venting, but it must be addressed to prevent hydrogen explosions. -also of concern is the heat created from the utilities should be insulated from the batteries as the charging rate is also limited by temperature, depending on type of battery. +6 8Ds in the middle bay is 1,000 lbs of weight in the least ideal place, near the drive axle is best ; near the front axle is ok if other weight such as the factory AC condenser & evaporator has been removed; but one must factor in the conversion modifications & how it will typically be loaded when used to decide on this criteria. | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.62 Rating: N/A |
Would boxing the batteries and venting the box be an acceptable solution if moving the bank is not feasible? | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 612 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.238.13 Rating: N/A |
gas-tight separated from any spark source such as electrical conductors/switches or appliances (think accident safety) , perhaps you can do it simply where they are now, but inspect and you'll begin to know. venting must be higher than the source of emission, add lower vents as well, if you wish to get heat ventilation using free existing convection | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 312 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 64.40.60.237 Rating: N/A |
I would move the inverter. Seems like they always give off a big spark when I hook/unhook them. You don't really want the AC to suck from that compartment, hopefully it ducts out for fresh air. Inverters are pretty happy in water bays where it stays cool. Mine are mounted on large pieces of aluminum for fast heat dissapation and sit on the water tanks. Even in extreme heat I have not had one shut down. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1145 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.245.107.30 Rating: N/A |
Why, normally, would one need to "hook/unhook" an inverter? (And wouldn't one normally "unhook the batteries" first?) Just curiosity...not criticism...  RCB | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1240 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 74.4.63.215  Rating: N/A |
Only time I "hook/unhook" batteries or inverter is when doing repair (inverter) or maintainence (batteries). Jack | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1149 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.242.222.188 Rating: N/A |
Me 2, Jack... RCB |