Gassing at VRLA battery

There are a number of companies that specialize in H2 monitoring equipment. The second link that Google pulled up is http://www.h2scan.com/ and they can measure H2 levels down to 15PPM.

So long as you are not abusing the batteries there shouldn't be any issues with the H2. My company makes equipment that monitors the VRLA batteries used in submarines. The batteries are substantially larger than the 100Ah ones you are using and up to 400 of them are shoehorned into a room with barely enough room for a small guy to walk between the rows. The Navy follows a charging profile developed by the battery manufacturer which keeps H2 emissons to a minimum and as far as I've been told, there have been far fewer issues with them than the old wet cells. They do have detectors installed in the room that can activate auxillary ventilation should the situation warrant it.

I am happy that some Battery people presence in this forum. I am also working in VRLA company. We did not find a need to measure H2 as we are maintaining good ventilation. Excess H2 leads to fire hazard rather than human effect. Norammly it should be lessa than 2%, I believe. Our marketing people based on our customer requirement advice them on minimum ventilation/ air changes requirements in their battery rooms.

I would actually go further than mentioning a possible fire hazard - I would say you have the possibility of a big explosion.......!!!

The room must be monitored of course for any possible gas hazards and all electrical equipment MUST either be sealed or under positive pressure with clean air from outside (not where the room exhaust fans blow!!!

Suppy & exhaust ventilation fans should run around the clock and have backups of both fans and supply....

When connecting to or from a battery, the supply to the charger must first be removed, to prevent sparks.

The whole room should be marked, inside and out with "No Smokin or nacked lights" signs.

Nobody should be allowed to bring anything into the room that could develope a spark - cigarette lighters or even pocket torches.....

A non sparking or static buildup floor covering is needed.

I expect that I have forgotten a few points, but this is a reasonable start.....if you do not have this, you are in great danger.....

VRLA batteries do not "out gas" unless put into a state overcharging. Pressure valves incorporated into the case prevent gassing in normal charging conditions...hence the term "valve regulated"......

Contact Enersys (Odyssey) tech support to discuss outgassing

I agree completely, but the risks are too great NOT to take all the correct safety precautions.......a charger's voltage goes too high for some reason.......anything might happen.

As the whole concept of a VRLA battery is to internal cycle and the valving is there for that purpose the charger had better be of the highest quality and checked frequently and if a h2 monitor is desired -fine! VRLA batteries are extremely and built strong for a reason and that reason is not to act like a lead acid!!

Please do not forget that accidents are caused by unforseen circumstances......I believe in technology, but I also (try at least!) take all the necessary precautions.

One "3 mile Island" in the USA and one in Russia are enough for me.......and they were SOOOOO SAFE!!!