Removing Automatic Watering

[rowlands57]

Originally Posted by Fairtax4me

They do vent through the hoses.
They do build up gases in the hoses.
It is somewhat common for watering systems to cause chain reaction explosions that blow the cases apart on all of the connected batteries.

You will need to totally replace the caps with normal vented caps or else the cells will not vent properly.

Wow. Thanks for clarifying that. Seems like a pretty bad design to me, but I don't have the system so I'm not too worried about it.

Some friends of mine do have those systems installed though. Would you recommend removal of the system?

[Murby]

Originally Posted by rowlands57

Wow. Thanks for clarifying that. Seems like a pretty bad design to me, but I don't have the system so I'm not too worried about it.

Some friends of mine do have those systems installed though. Would you recommend removal of the system?

I'm keeping my caps, but have removed the hose assembly that plugs into them.

This leaves a 3/8 inch smooth plastic hole in the center where gasses can vent out.

I brought a cap (4 cells combined) into the house, washed it, neutralized it with some baking soda, and then inspected it really well.

I don't think there is any chance of acid splashing out that hole as it would have to first travel up and through some channels.. its not a straight shot into the battery at all.

My only worry right now is garbage like dust and dirt getting into the whole and snaking its way into the cells.

To combat this, I'm going to cut some strips from a 2 liter bottle, warm them up so I can form them into a sort of rolled tubing, and then snap them over the holes. This should keep any dust or dirt from getting in there.

[rowlands57]

An alternative for the cap would be to use a scotch pad cut to size and pushed in to the opening. I would act as an air filter that way allowing gas to exit but no particles to enter the opening.

[Fairtax4me]

There are other pics of similar incidents posted on the forums here if you hunt around enough.

[Murby]

Originally Posted by rowlands57

An alternative for the cap would be to use a scotch pad cut to size and pushed in to the opening. I would act as an air filter that way allowing gas to exit but no particles to enter the opening.

Yes! I was scouring my house for some kind of polyurethane or polyethylene foam that would act as a filter under my "wrap around 2 liter covers".

I have lots of different materials but the holes are too big or they're all closed cell and won't pass gasses through them.

I looked right at the green scrubbies and didn't even consider them..

Great idea! You're a clever rabbit.

[HPgolfer]

Pull off all of the caps and buy standard battery caps on Ebay. You can get them for $1.50 each. Problem solved!