Should Batteries and Inverters be in the same space?

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In the Jan. Feb. 2001 Countryside on page 46 there is a picture showing an inverter mounted on a wall only a few inches above a set of batteries. Because of the hydrogen which is produced as the batteries are charged, I believe this could represent an unsafe instilation. It may be that the pictured room is large, and well ventilated so that explosive concentrations of hydrogen and air will not collect, however, I am concerned less someone do a set up like this in a small confined space. In my power shed I have two small rooms, one for the batteries and one for the electrical equipment. Is there need for such concern?

-- David Marsh (daviem27@hotmail.com), December 13, 2000

Answers

David, the NEC does not require batteries and inverters to be in a separate room, but the batteries should be in a closed box and vented to the outside. Inverters exposed to hydrogen present two problems:

1. The highly explosive hydrogen can be ignited by a spark from the inverter. 2. Over time, hydrogen can corrode and damage the inverter circuits.

I like keeping my batteries and inverter in the same room because it makes it easy to keep the cables as short as possible, but battery enclosures should absolutely be vented to the outside. This is very important.

-- Jim (catchthesun@yahoo.com), December 13, 2000.


Jim is exactly right. I have the batteries in the same room as the inverter for the same reasons. The batteries are in their own box which is vented to the outside.

Doug

-- Doug Shutes (toadshutes@yahoo.com), December 13, 2000.


I concur! All the info I've read the gasses from the batteries is highly explosive and should be vented out durning charging.

-- Cecilie MckEy (Cecilie36@hotmail.com), December 14, 2000.

If gases generated by the batteries concern you, merely drill the battery caps to force fit aquarium tubing. Route the other end of the tubing out of doors. Or purchase hydrocaps.

-- Don Denhardt (desulfator@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002.

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