Optima batteries -> Venting?

kiltjim · 09-29-2004, 01:33 PM

I just recieved my optima yellow top and I'm confused. I see warnings on the battery that says it must be vented. Then I look on Optimas website, and it says I shouldn't be worried about gassing.

Am I going to be safe mounting this thing in my trunk area (hatchback car, so no seperation between me and the trunk)? I really want to mount this thing just above my spare tire.

Am I gonna need to worry about hydrogen gas?

VanMan69 · 09-29-2004, 01:37 PM

Huh... I don't recall it saying on my Yellow Top that it needed to be vented... not sure if I actually ever read the whole battery label... I went by what it said on the site (and what I've read/heard/seen from numerous other sources).

But I can tell you that I've got two of them inside my van passenger cabin (under the rear seat), that I play games or watch movies off them for hours on end, and I smoke while doing it, and I haven't exploded yet.

jcdillin · 09-29-2004, 01:59 PM

yet.......

Spaghetti · 09-29-2004, 02:15 PM

I think ALL car batteries need some venting, not just yellow tops, if my memory serves me correct. I don't think the problem is with explosive fumes though - otherwise putting batteries next to engines would be problematic...

P.S., I'm trying to stop smoking myself right now - very very difficult

jcdillin · 09-29-2004, 02:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Spaghetti

I think ALL car batteries need some venting, not just yellow tops, if my memory serves me correct. I don't think the problem is with explosive fumes though - otherwise putting batteries next to engines would be problematic...

P.S., I'm trying to stop smoking myself right now - very very difficult

Yeah me too, pain in the butt

VanMan69 · 09-29-2004, 02:30 PM

Batteries can go in the engine compartment because that is adequate ventilation. The venting is to prevent a buildup of hydrogen to explosive levels. Like if you just had a little vent of gas going into the open, you could have a flame around and not have a problem, but if the gas is contained in an enclosed area, it will build up to an igniteable level. Optima claims that under "normal operating conditions" venting is not necessary.

krystar · 09-29-2004, 03:16 PM

how to even vent the battery? yellow tops are sealed lead acids....sealed.....

VanMan69 · 09-29-2004, 03:28 PM

Sealed gel cell.

And yeah... they don't need venting (under normal operating conditions, so they say). Maybe if you drained them at like 500 amps in like 10 minutes you'd need to vent it or something.

I don't know what those two porous circles on top of the Yellow Tops are, though... maybe emergency vents or something.

kiltjim · 09-29-2004, 04:32 PM

And correct me if I'm wrong, but these can be mounted in any position. Like horizontally, right? Because they are a sealed gel cell.

VanMan69 · 09-29-2004, 05:19 PM

They say you can even mount 'em upside down.

kiltjim · 09-30-2004, 12:13 AM

Awesome, because I had that exact idea, my ceiling and some bungee cables....

gospeed.racer · 09-30-2004, 12:18 AM

On my old Ford Fiesta, there wanst room for the yellow top standing up, so I laid it on its side and it worked flawlessly for the entire time i owned it.

Think of it this way, it *shouldnt* vent, but if it is shorted or has an internal issue, do you feel comfortable having it in the same area as you are? I would recommend a enclosed tray, not for venting, rather to keep any "problems" contained. It is very rare that you would have a problem but I always recommend aiming to the safe side.

DriverDan · 09-30-2004, 08:56 AM

They need to be vented. See those two small round gray spots? Those are the vents. I have one in the trunk of my Mustang and it's unvented, but there is a hole in the bottom of the floor that sucks air out while I'm driving.

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