Battery boxes lids

[AngusMcDoon]

Its not the total amount of 'energy' - its the rate at which it can be discharged ..... Lead Acid are way behind LiPo as example ... but still not to be ignored.

The maximum short term power output capability from a lead acid battery compared to a lithium of the same energy capacity is 50% higher. That's why boats with lithium technology house batteries still use a lead acid for engine starting.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I prefer NOT to take the chance ...

Very admirable attitude on ships and small craft, but trying to contain hydrogen inside a cheapo plastic or homemade plywood battery box with some kind of lid is a waste of time. A better solution would be to ensure sufficient ventilation.

Having a nose that has on many occasions got a 'whiff' of the H put out by charging batts...

You can't smell hydrogen. It will be sulphur compounds that you can smell.

Beaten to it!

 

[Refueler]

If you can smell it, it isn't hydrogen. The nasty smell that (usually knackered) batteries can give off is hydrogen sulphide, which is a lot nastier than H2, as it's a bit heavier than air and is flammable enough to be explosive in the wrong conditions.

I know what H2S is ... its a killer in our industry and actually smells of 'rotten eggs'. It also has a threshold limit that is BELOW the level you smell it.
Second within very short time of exposure - it deadens the sense of smell and victims can believe exposure is over.

I have actually been a victim of H2S exposure - luckily another Officer realised and threw me across the deck out of the H2S exiting the tank opening.

When I said about smell H ... H gives you a sharp tingle sensation in the nose ... not so different from Ozone. I well remember not only this from my job - but also Chemistry class in school ... with the old Pop test in a test tube ... filling those TT's - that sharp tingly sensation in nose if you got too close etc.

 

[Refueler]

The maximum short term power output capability from a lead acid battery compared to a lithium of the same energy capacity is 50% higher. That's why boats with lithium technology house batteries still use a lead acid for engine starting.

Again - we see Lithium tech being misrepresented.

Many of you lot use LiFe based cells - which are high energy density but can discharge at less rate than example LiPo. This is the fact you have not mentioned.
Lithium based tech also is able to have a large range designed in for discharge rates and is why when determining Lithium - you should always check C rate ... not just capacity.
I could easily start my Perkins 43hp on my larger LiPo packs - they would very quickly be discharged - but their C rate certainly allows for it.
I could buy LiFe ... LiFePo4 if I wanted - that could also do the job. But as you go up the C rates - the weight and price escalates rapidly.

Lead Acid is convenient ... easily maintained ... relatively cheap ... and does the job in hand.

Its an interesting subject ad one that I am engaged in with another user of Lithium tech .. I am in the throws of buying a Spot Welder - size and capability has recently been amazing ... that no longer do you mortgage the house to get a system. We are looking closely at various albeit low power applications ... but who knows ...

 

[Refueler]

Very admirable attitude on ships and small craft, but trying to contain hydrogen inside a cheapo plastic or homemade plywood battery box with some kind of lid is a waste of time. A better solution would be to ensure sufficient ventilation.

Whu said anything about 'trying to contain' ??? I was actually one of the first replies to advocate allowing it to dissipate.

You can't smell hydrogen. It will be sulphur compounds that you can smell.

Beaten to it!

Sulphur compounds - particularly H2S are extremely distinctive and definitely NOT what I was referring to ... see my reply to other post.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Whu said anything about 'trying to contain' ??? I was actually one of the first replies to advocate allowing it to dissipate.

OK, misunderstanding.