Battery safety

Xtreme Cartz · 08-21-2008, 09:44 PM

Is there a fume safety hazard with lead acid golf cart batteries inside an enclosed unventilated area such as the back of a car? Hydrogen is the dangerous stuff produced by batteries right? I'm going to have 11 batteries in the back of my car and was trying to think of some way to make it safe. What about if the batteries are put in a tool chest and vented out of the car with 2 exhaust fans?

roady89 · 08-21-2008, 09:47 PM

Something like that BUT make sure you use a brushless fan to vent hydrogen gas or at least a sealed brush motor. A brushed motor will produce sparks between the comm and brush. It may be a minimal risk but a risk none the less.

gstoneberg · 08-22-2008, 01:49 PM

I think during charging is the dangerous time. Most of my friends with electric car conversions connect their fans to the charger interlock so the pack area is vented during charge. I like the idea of enclosing the batteries in a box if they're going to be in the passenger area of the car. George

Nate · 08-23-2008, 01:26 AM

The most ideal way is not the most cost effective, you would have to cut a hole in the rear of the car and build a cage to hold the batteries. Then you would need a "dog house" like is used on vans to cover the batteries. This way the bottom of the batteries is exposed to outside and any acid or fumes would go out here just like a golf cart. This would also make cleaning the batteries easier as well, just open and hose. The down side is a person would have to make it structurally sound as to not compromise the integrity of the car. Do what you can to vent your batteries out of the passenger compartment. I understand you are on a budget.

Fishing Dude · 08-23-2008, 09:45 PM

Could use a system like on a IO on a boat.

Xtreme Cartz · 08-27-2008, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Nate I was strongly considering building the racks underneath the car where the spare tire and gas tank use to be until I got the tape measure out. There just isn't enough room between the midget car and the road to fit 12" of clearance safely.

Nate · 08-27-2008, 11:14 PM

The best vehicle in my opinion is a small truck, you can make the bed tilt and the suspension is a little heavier duty. You already have quite a bit of time invested in your car, stay with it and learn all you can. If you decide to change vehicles you can always transfer your electrical components into the new vehicle.

Keep in mind this is my opinion; I encourage people to form their own opinion based on their experiences.

Paxdad · 09-02-2008, 07:50 AM

The lower explosive limit (LEL) in air is 4.6% while the upper explosive limit (UEL) is 46% in air (for Hydrogen Sulfide). While it would require a sufficient spark energy source to ignite the above your components would certainly produce this amount. One solution is to ventilate the compartment with a roof mounted RV vent that will draw air in while providing for a vent for it to escape. THis is an inexpensive approach but may not be very asthetic. The goal is to introduce enough fresh to dilute the LEL and UEL.

Xtreme Cartz · 09-07-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishing Dude

Could use a system like on a IO on a boat.

I'm not sure how this is on a boat but it gave me an idea that worked great and it may be what you were talking about. I'll have pictures to show what
I decided to build. Thanks for the idea.

08-21-2008, 09:44 PM	#1
Xtreme Cartz Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 957	Battery safety Is there a fume safety hazard with lead acid golf cart batteries inside an enclosed unventilated area such as the back of a car? Hydrogen is the dangerous stuff produced by batteries right? I'm going to have 11 batteries in the back of my car and was trying to think of some way to make it safe. What about if the batteries are put in a tool chest and vented out of the car with 2 exhaust fans?
Xtreme Cartz Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 957

08-21-2008, 09:47 PM	#2
roady89 GhEtTo PrAnKsTeR Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kaufman, Texas Posts: 3,016	Re: Battery safety Something like that BUT make sure you use a brushless fan to vent hydrogen gas or at least a sealed brush motor. A brushed motor will produce sparks between the comm and brush. It may be a minimal risk but a risk none the less.
	Golf Cars \| Lifted Golf Carts \| Electric Golf Carts Custom EZGO \| B&S V-Twin \| All Sports Long Travel Lift \| 8:1 Gears \| 22" Titan AT489's \| \| \| \| \| \| \|

08-22-2008, 01:49 PM	#3
gstoneberg Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 54	Re: Battery safety I think during charging is the dangerous time. Most of my friends with electric car conversions connect their fans to the charger interlock so the pack area is vented during charge. I like the idea of enclosing the batteries in a box if they're going to be in the passenger area of the car. George

08-23-2008, 01:26 AM	#4
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 371	Re: Battery safety The most ideal way is not the most cost effective, you would have to cut a hole in the rear of the car and build a cage to hold the batteries. Then you would need a "dog house" like is used on vans to cover the batteries. This way the bottom of the batteries is exposed to outside and any acid or fumes would go out here just like a golf cart. This would also make cleaning the batteries easier as well, just open and hose. The down side is a person would have to make it structurally sound as to not compromise the integrity of the car. Do what you can to vent your batteries out of the passenger compartment. I understand you are on a budget.
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 371

08-23-2008, 09:45 PM	#5
Fishing Dude Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Here Posts: 706	Re: Battery safety Could use a system like on a IO on a boat.

08-27-2008, 03:52 PM	#6
Xtreme Cartz Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 957	Re: Battery safety Thanks for the suggestions. Nate I was strongly considering building the racks underneath the car where the spare tire and gas tank use to be until I got the tape measure out. There just isn't enough room between the midget car and the road to fit 12" of clearance safely.
Xtreme Cartz Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 957

08-27-2008, 11:14 PM	#7
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 371	Re: Battery safety The best vehicle in my opinion is a small truck, you can make the bed tilt and the suspension is a little heavier duty. You already have quite a bit of time invested in your car, stay with it and learn all you can. If you decide to change vehicles you can always transfer your electrical components into the new vehicle. Keep in mind this is my opinion; I encourage people to form their own opinion based on their experiences.
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 371

09-02-2008, 07:50 AM	#8
Paxdad Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 85	Re: Battery safety The lower explosive limit (LEL) in air is 4.6% while the upper explosive limit (UEL) is 46% in air (for Hydrogen Sulfide). While it would require a sufficient spark energy source to ignite the above your components would certainly produce this amount. One solution is to ventilate the compartment with a roof mounted RV vent that will draw air in while providing for a vent for it to escape. THis is an inexpensive approach but may not be very asthetic. The goal is to introduce enough fresh to dilute the LEL and UEL.

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