House battery box and slider

[grantgoold]

Well, I am finally at the point that I am ready to start the house battery system. I have already installed the main electrical panel in the first bay as well as a large electrical cord reel (super nice deal). I have plenty of space left in the drivers side front bay. My questions?

I have 5 each trojan 12 volt deep cycle wet cell batteries that I am using for house batteries (220 AH each).  I am building a single story battery tray with slide out capabilities. I would like to mount the Xantrex inverter close to the hole system. I am wondering if I build a ventilated box around the batteries should I place them in the same bay on the passenger side (right next to the start 8 ds) and then put a partition between both sides of the front bay?  Will this be enough to prevent possible explosions should the batteries gas?

I have already experienced the fun of one 8 d explosion and never want that to happen again.

I believe we could make the two sides of the front bay almost sealed from each other.

Any thoughts? Ideas? I cannot place the house system in the AC compartment as I have kept my OTR unit. I also have a two ton basement model AC in the second bay drivers side. 

Thanks in advance.


Grant
Sacramento MCI 9

[Gary '79 5C]

I think you already answered your question with your previous near miss w/ a 8D. All the inverter installation manuals steer clear of the same bay. I have (4) sealed gel's and I still relocated the previous owners installation of the inverter to the next bay. I think it is over kill in my case and I am considering to move it back, better space use.

If I had wet cells, I would seal the compartment well if you are going to seggrate within the same bay.

Best of Luck,
Gary

[Busted Knuckle]

One thing to keep in mind since you kept the OTR air is that it does draw some fresh air out of the front bay unless you completely seal the floor and wooden access door! Just to get an idea of how much air those blowers draw turn 'em on with thw access board out , and then place the access board back in place while it's running. You'll be amazed at how fast it sucks it up when you get it close to positioned right! Beware watch your fingers! FWIW
BK 

[muddog16]

Busted say's that like he knows something about those pinched fingers!

[DavidInWilmNC]

Hi Grant,

I've just mostly finished my battery box in the front bay of my MC-8.  I was going to do the slide thing, but that seemed like a lot of work, especially considering I want them in a sealed box.  I moved my 8D start batteries to this box also so I could mount the gas tank for my generator in a completely separate compartment.  The batteries are laid out front-to-back and take up about half of the floor space (the generator is also in that bay separated from the battery area and accessible from the driver's side).  The top of the box is hinged for maintenance and the front is hinged so I can haul out those batteries as needed.  Once I get the box finished, I'll cover it, and the rest of the compartment, in some sort of heavy duty short loop carpet so it can be used as storage.  The carpet will help keep things from getting banged up so much and muffle the sound of what does move around.  The box is constructed out of 3/4 exterior grade plywood.  The bottom piece will have some scrap melt-down roofing material covering it (and melted down) to contain any leaks.

I've got a dryer vent that I will mount through the floor of the battery box.  It'll face backwards so air will be pulled out when in motion.  When not moving, a couple of muffin fans (from dead PC's) should keep air circulating through the box.  I'm just not sure if I should have the fans blow out through the vent (easier), but I don't know how well they'll handle any corrosive vapors.  The other option is to use a bilge blower similar to this http://www.camec.com.au/images/3541-876.jpg to keep it out of the fumes.

I figure it won't be all that much trouble to sit in the bay and check the batteries; it's not been all that uncomfortable to sit in there and build the box!  Good luck.

David

[Busted Knuckle]

Busted say's that like he knows something about those pinched fingers!

They don't call me Busted Knuckles for nothin ya know! LOL! Seriously it seems no matter how careful I am anytime I work on somethin I bust at least 1 knuckle!
That's how my former mechanic and I came to name my shop. We ws sit'n at the picnic table in the shade one day at lunch and Woody said "Ya gotta come up with a name for the shop, so we can get a sign up!" And I told him "ya I know but right now my hand hurts too much to worry about a name for the shop. Besides that I don't know how much longer I wanna keep this up! I'm tired of bust'n my knuckles all the time try'n to make a $!" He stood up busting out laughing and said "THAT"S IT, THAT"S IT! We can call it the Busted Knuckle Garage!" Well now ya know how I became known as "Busted Knuckle" !
BK