[C320-list] Battery Charger Mystery

[Warren Updike]

Alan, I've wondered about the gas emissions from battery charging.  The
whole battery compartment is somewhat sealed in that there is not much air
exchanged by convection.  I've thought about installing an ignition
protected fan and vent in the liner under the cushions.  Yandina.com offers
a Battery Ventilator Controller that runs the fan when a charge current is
present.  I don't think it needs to be vented to the outside, just into the
cabin where the greater volume of air will reduce the hydrogen
concentration.
Has anyone done something like this?

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Goodman [mailto:goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 1:29 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery Charger Mystery


Just to weigh in, my charger is located under the V-berth, starboard side,
bolted to the V-berth / salon bulkhead.  A couple of points to consider: (i)
easy to access by the door under the V-berth, no cushions etc to mess with,
(ii) need the bulkhead cutout for running the wires to the battery bank
sealed to prevent hydrogen gas from battery charging to reach the charger
(since my batteries are located under starboard settee directly adjacent to
the bulkhead, there is a potential hydrogen explosion hazard if bulkhead not
sealed), (iii) places the charger very close to the battery bank limiting
cable run and wire cost (longer runs require heavier gauge wire at the same
current in DC circuits), and (iv) battery charger produces heat when
operating, so a small enclosed space is not a good location for mounting the
charger (space under V-berth is large).  While the space where my charger is
located does get noticeably warm (big battery load exceeding 500AH
capacity), it has never tripped the charger's thermal protection.  Alan
hull 67 Holland MI


> Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 12:28:47 -0700
> From: Utility Email <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Charger Mystery
> Message-ID: <4C50A2DB-E084-4A00-8DC5-1BF11E31F968 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Both options sound reasonable.  
> 
> On my boat, the 30A Charles Charger is located in the locker under the
port side salon seat inside the main cabin.  I installed a Wallas Diesel
Furnace located in my port cockpit locker similar to where your charger is
located.  Based on your experience, I intend to pay better attention to this
expensive furnace to ensure that it stays dry in this port cockpit locker
location.  
> 
> Thanks for sharing.  
> 
> Dave
> 
> David Swanson
> S/V Emily Ann
> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
> Mukilteo, WA 
>-