T&T: Gel Batteries in living spaces

[Robin Brueckner]

I have never heard of gel cell batteries that vent; in other words, I
thought they were always sealed...Calder says that: they are "no
maintenance sealed batteries". His description implies that is they are
not sealed, they are not gel batteries. "For gel cell batteries, any
charging regimen that causes gassing spells certain death" .

The only advantage of gel batteries is that that can't spill because they
are sealed...other than that they are inferior to AGM and wet cell lead
acid from an electrical operating perspective. I don't think have enough
moisture to leak...but maybe they could drip ...if the case integrity is
broken.

Anyway, hydrogen and oxygen gas, the former is lighter than air, is a by
product of battery activity as final stages of charging occur and water
is broken down......but it supposed to be absorbed by the
gel...overcharging CAN damage a gel batt and I perhaps destroy case
integrity....that could release gas....

However, running a vent line outside might not vent  gas even if lighter
than air since pressure differences could trump convection.....say when
engines are running, for example...or wind creates a partial vacuum
inside the boat...Even my diesel heater warns about this. A  gradual
incline of the vent line without dips seems necessary.

My suggestion would be to sniff in the battery box periodicalloy during
charge and if you don't smell anything likely it's not a problem.
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