Modern caravans have a purpose built external locker in which the battery is housed.. Older caravans often have an exposed battery in either the gas locker or a bed locker. This practice is no longer recommended. You can buy a special box and venting kit to make it a little safer.
Gases are given off during the charging process although they are minute in quantity as long as the charging voltage does not exceed 14.4 volts. Above this voltage it is normally possible for bubbles to be seen rising from the plates. Trapped bubbles can persist for some time after charging has stopped. Be careful when moving such a battery as the bubbles may suddenly be released. The gases involved are hydrogen and oxygen - a highly explosive mixture! This is why batteries should always be ventilated to the outside of the caravan so that the gases can disperse
Hydrogen is lighter than air so the vents in the bottom of a locker aren't much use.
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 08/1/2012
Hydrogen is lighter than air so the vents in the bottom of a locker aren't much use.
Except that they help to let the air circulate.
If you're a keen DIYer you could always purchase a battery locker from a caravan breaker (or brand new, although they are expensive) & fit it yourself. It's not much different to cutting a hole for a Carver Cascade2 or a Cassette Toilet. Probably not a job for a novice though, although undoubtedly you'd find instructions on how to do so, somewhere on the internet.
Thanks for your help - it's a bit tight in there, so I would need to find a box not much bigger than the battery - not sure if a caravan breakers would have something that fits! I will have to measure it when I take the winter cover off and see if something can be sorted. It would make me feel safer. Although I have used it as is for two seasons without problems! I think all the mains stuff is in the wardrobe, there's a consumer unit in there. The only other thing connected is a little unit that tells you if the battery is charged or not, and which switches on the power to the caravan (this is wired inside black convoluted hose sort of stuff). It is wired from the battery and is situated right at the other end from the battery, and the gas bottle is just off centre, nearer the battery but not right next to it.
The battery locker I was referring to (from a caravan breakers) is the type which would involve cutting a hole in the side of the 'van & completely re-siting the battery. Not a massive job, but not a small job either.
Just an ordinary battery box (the type linked to above somewhere) will do fine. They are available in a variety of different shapes & sizes & most aren't much bigger than the battery itself.
Quote: Originally posted by magsruby on 09/1/2012
The battery locker I was referring to (from a caravan breakers) is the type which would involve cutting a hole in the side of the 'van & completely re-siting the battery. Not a massive job, but not a small job either.
Don't fancy my chances much with that option then! I can't even cut a piece of paper in a straight line, LOL! Will see what will go in there, and get a battery box, that will help a bit.
If it were mine, I would be tempted to just wedge the locker open an inch or two when connected to EHU or when the gas is connected to ensure adequate ventilation. It's been like that 20+ years without blowing up, the chances are it's not about to blow up now, but it is worth taking a bit of care with.
It's not difficult to move the battery inside and mount it in a locker with a box like the one linked to, with a few holes in the floor for ventilation. I would actually be more concerned with moving the 240v stuff. You can get quite a spark from the breakers when they trip, again, not difficult to do, you could just extend the cables and put it in one of the internal lockers, the 240 volt electrical stuff doesn't need to be vented.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 09/1/2012
If it were mine, I would be tempted to just wedge the locker open an inch or two when connected to EHU or when the gas is connected to ensure adequate ventilation. It's been like that 20+ years without blowing up, the chances are it's not about to blow up now, but it is worth taking a bit of care with.
It's not difficult to move the battery inside and mount it in a locker with a box like the one linked to, with a few holes in the floor for ventilation. I would actually be more concerned with moving the 240v stuff. You can get quite a spark from the breakers when they trip, again, not difficult to do, you could just extend the cables and put it in one of the internal lockers, the 240 volt electrical stuff doesn't need to be vented.
Food for thought there. I could wedge it open, but I would be reluctant to, as I keep tools and other useful and pinchable stuff in there. Always remembering to not block the vents though!
What about wedging it open but attaching a bicycle lock so that it can only be opened an inch or so without unlocking it?
I would move the 240v stuff inside and leave the battery where it is. Batteries only spark when connecting or disconnecting and your not going to do that if you smell gas. Breakers can spark and the very nature of them is that they go when you least expect it so I would be a little more concerned about those. Personally, I would have no problem moving them inside, but unless you know what you are doing, (and a lot of people have little or no understanding of electrics) you could end up making it a whole lot more dangerous, hence my suggestion of wedging the door open, not really possible to get that wrong.
Hi again guys but you have gone off thread a little I was asking if I could fit a light inside the front locker like they advertise in the new Elldis. Do I assume no one has a technical answer. I understand you asking why but sometimes you need to get stuff out of it, I keep the dog food and dishes in there and changing a gas bottle over is a real pain. But if it is a safety issue then i wont bother.
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
Hi, As i replied in an earlier post my 2009 bailey senator has one fitted as standard from the factory and as no other bailey owners have commented i presume mine is either a one off or somebody at bailey decided to ignore any regulations and fit one anyway.
Hope you get the answer to your query.
Dunc
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Topic: Light in front gas Locker
