Want to buy an RV? You’ll find some decent bus conversion for sale options in the market at an affordable price. But, wait! Before you seal the deal, ask the seller if the battery has suitable ventilation. Or, better yet, why don’t you check yourself? If it’s an old model, chances are the seller will try and convince you that ventilation isn’t a big deal. The truth is, ventilation matters a lot in an RV, and you’ll find out why below.

How It Works

Gel cells, AGMs, and lead acid batteries all produce explosive gas. It’s true the gas remains sealed but why take chances, right? In fact, battery manufacturers stress the importance of ventilation by attaching warning notices to the product.

Hydrogen gas doesn’t have any smell or color. Therein lies the problem – without proper instrumentation, it’s virtually undetectable. Yes, unsealed batteries do emit a smell during the charging process, but that odor isn’t hydrogen.

When electrolytes start boiling from the excess charge, they produce copious quantities of hydrogen every minute. When the hydrogen concentration reaches a 10 percent buildup, it can potentially explode. Ventilation is what you need to prevent such a situation.

Mechanism

When an RV battery remains sealed, it’s capable of handling small quantities of overcharging. However, it is in no way equipped to handle a big explosion. This is exactly the reason why the vents automatically open when the pressure inside the battery soars to dangerous levels. As long as your vehicle battery is sufficiently ventilated and is away from any source of ignition, the dangerous gasses dissipate into the atmosphere harmlessly. Given the benefits of battery ventilation and the ease with which the same can be achieved, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ensure it.

Warning Signs

Hydrogen gas explodes only when it is ignited. But even the smallest of sparks can do that. The things you’ve got to be careful about include work-hardened and cracked battery connectors, and loose terminal cables and clamps. Any moving or electrical device can also emit sparks. You should also refrain from installing isolating rays and battery chargers in battery enclosures. They hamper the regular flow of air and cause problems with ventilation.

Venting Options

It is important that the battery enclosure allows fresh air to enter through the base. The outlets at the top of the enclosure shouldn’t be restricted as they facilitate the escape of lighter hydrogen into the atmosphere. There are no specific standards regarding this in the RV industry, but ideally, a few holes of 25 mm or so each should be made both at the top and near the bottom of an enclosure.

Naturally vented battery enclosures have often been the subject of criticism in the industry, but they’ve been found adequate for motor homes and caravans. However, the wind often creates high-pressure sections near the exit vents, causing the gas to stay put. This shouldn’t have been a problem if some lower vents were present but enclosures are usually vented just at the top. If the RV you wish to buy is like that, all that’s required is for you to cut some holes at the bottom of the enclosure.

Changing the Battery

If you can, try replacing your lead acid RV battery with a lithium-ion one. The technology is different, which is probably why lithium car batteries haven’t been known to explode. You can easily understand when overcharging occurs as the product emits dense white smoke. However, you’ll still have battery ventilation to worry about.

When you purchase a bus conversion for sale, make sure it has adequate ventilation. Housing RV batteries in well-vented enclosures don’t carry health hazards. On the contrary, sealed batteries diminish this risk considerably. However, when the battery gets placed inside a closed bed base, there is a possibility that gas might get trapped. If all it takes to keep you and your new RV safe are drilling a few holes, you should get right to it!