Battery charge safety

[wesalexleft]

Here's an overly paranoid question for the safety patrol. I have a few motorcycles and a very well insulated garage with some lights, stereo, electrics running. During the winter I like to keep the bikes on battery tenders to keep the batteries maintained. Should I be concerned with a buildup of explosive gases from the batteries on the chargers? There would be three tenders running though not all are usually on all at once due to the way they cycle on and off for maintenance. One battery is lead/acid. The other two batteries are gel, and I only assume that they too must out off some hydrogen as they are being charged as well.

 

[nehog]

Re: Battery chage safety

No, don't worry. Hydrogen is very light, will disperse quickly, and as well, you won't produce enough to cause a problem in the garage. The problem usually happens when the batteries are in a closed box, or when right next to the batteries.

 

[gatchel]

Re: Battery chage safety

If a battery is going to off gas it usually only happens on the charge cycle. Once the trickle cycle comes in (when the LED turns Green) the max voltage is 13.8 volts. You shouldn't get much is any gassing at this point.

 

[Thruxton]

Re: Battery chage safety

In a word, absolutely yes. I owned a Honda/Norton/Guzzi/CZ shop in Central New York, and we provided a winter bike storage service, which included keeping batteries charged. I have seen two batteries explode when the mechanic was not careful about being sure the charger was off and no H present (all you have to do is blow across the surface of the battery to do that) as they were connected/disconnected. Fortunately the explosions only made a mess and ruined some work clothes- no eye injuries. Hydrogen may indeed be lighter than air and dissipate quickly, but it is also constantly produced during the charging process. Be safe. How many here have seen/had car batteries blow up?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Battery chage safety

Low charge/discharge rates do not create enough hydrogen to be concerned about, assuming it is a reasonably well ventilated area.

Make certain to top off the water level in fall and spring.

I use a Battery Tender on my boat battery and even though it sits outside in the cold, I do not run the tender continuously.

 

[SweetD]

Re: Battery chage safety

I use two battery tenders / trickle chargers all winter long for my two boat batteries, in my garage, on a shelf. No problems for the last ten years.

Dave