[C320-list] Battery Ventilation

[Scott Thompson]

I agree it's good advice to not drill the holes.

But for the record, USCG standards DO say that batteries must be vented. 
  See Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, section 183.420(e), which 
reads, "(e) A vent system or other means must be provided to permit the 
discharge from the boat of hydrogen gas released by the battery."  See 
for yourself at this link:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=33&PART=183&SECTION=420&YEAR=1999&TYPE=PDF

This is also in the USCG "Boat Builders Handbook."

http://www.uscgboating.org/SAFETY/boatbuilder/downloads/PART1.pdf

That document is instructive about how compliance with the rules works 
in practice.  As nearly as I can tell there is no government 
certification process for yacht designs in the U.S.

Furthermore, while I do not have access to the relevant ABYC document, 
some web sites indicate that the ABYC standards go even further by 
specifying that batteries must be vented even if they are sealed.  (I 
believe ABYC standards include all of the USCG standards by reference 
and thus are at least as stringent.)

I would never assume my boat has a safe design simply because there 
exist standards.  But I'm not too worried about hydrogen gas build up 
either.  Heavier than air propane worries me a lot more.


Peter & Barbara Sheerin wrote:
> Thanks Warren. Good advice I wont drill the holes.  Pete S Jaraman
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert E. Sloat" <resloat at comcast.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Ventilation
> 
> 
>> Jeff-I agree.  I assume the USCG would have something to say if the 
>> Catalina battery location and venting were inadequate.  It has a say 
>> in engine venting and fuel storage.  ABYC also comes into play.
>>
>> For those who add batteries, maybe a remote issue.
>>
>> Bob Sloat
>> Savannah 894
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 10:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Ventilation
>>
>>
>>> Pete,
>>>
>>> I wouldn't bother with holes.  I think you'll be hard pressed to find 
>>> a case of this ever being even a minor problem let alone a dangerous 
>>> situation.
>>>
>>> Look for problems in air tight battery rooms with lots of batteries 
>>> not in our installation
>>>
>>> JeffH
>>>
>>> ------Original Message------
>>> From: Peter & Barbara Sheerin
>>> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Ventilation
>>> Sent: Jun 9, 2009 4:55 PM
>>>
>>> Warren Good note about battery ventilation. I'm considering drilling a
>>> couple of vent holes in vertical f glass section of seat adjacent to
>>> batteries. Should then provide adequate ventilation.  Peter # 1096
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "warren updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 6:12 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Ventilation
>>>
>>>
>>>> Chris, my blower enters the engine compartment and exhausts via another
>>>> hose
>>>> leading from the engine compartment. The batteries are in the stbd 
>>>> setee.
>>>> There is no path for air between the battery compartment and the engine
>>>> compartment.  Did I misunderstand you?
>>>> Warren #26
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Chris Burti [mailto:clburti at gmail.com]
>>>> Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 10:51 AM
>>>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Ventilation
>>>>
>>>> If you run your blower long enough, it will vent the compatment.
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 10:11 AM, warren updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> All this talk of batteries got me to thinking: If hydrogen and oxygen
>>>> gases
>>>>> produced by charging lead-acid batteries can be dangerous, why is 
>>>>> it that
>>>>> Catalina provided no ventilation for the battery locker?  Has anyone
>>>>> added
>>>>> any positive ventilation to a C320?  I'm interested in how it was 
>>>>> done.
>>>>>
>>>>> Warren & Pattie Updike
>>>>> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
>>>>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> Chris Burti Farmville, NC
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653