jetenbu
Southeast Texas
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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I am thinking of installing a cooling fan (120v out of an old computer power supply) on the outside of my plastic battery box. I already have a vent out the top to the outside of the trailer but thought if I forced some air over the batteries it would help vent them better and keep them cooler. Has anyone done this? How about recommendations? Any advice would be appreciated.
Jim
1996 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE
Diesel Pusher 37' Kitchen slide
2006 HD Ultra Classic
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Jim,
If your batteries are getting hot I would first find out why. They should not get hot. Hot batteries may indicate a converter that has too high a charge rate or charge voltage.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
Trippe-Lite 1800w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
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jetenbu
Southeast Texas
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I have a Prosine 2.0 inverter for charging. I had not previously turned off the converter when charging but read on here somewhere that I should be turning it off. I have not noticed it heating up the batteries since turning it off but thought it might be a good idea anyway. Could the inverter be heating them up? The inverter charges at 100amps in 3 stages. I thought that turning off the converter may have helped the situation some. Am I wrong?
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hemi-kz
Eastern PA
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Joined: 06/14/2006
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I maybe way too neurotic, but when batteries are working hard they out-gas hydrogen, when fans are running they create little sparks...Remember Apollo 13?
2007 KZ 22 Sportster Hybrid Toy Hauler
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Hemi Quad Cab Short Bed
1990 Harley Electra Glide Classic
2005 Harley Sportster 883L
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Hemiallen
Lodi, CA
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Joined: 01/08/2008
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And, if you are running wet-vented batteries the air movement you propose can and probably will cause a negative pressure and suck on the water in the cells. It may seem insignificant, but I believe you will dry out the batteries fatser adding the airflow than just letting mother nature take care of the situation.
I also think you, like myself, try and make up our own "honey-dew's" to keep us busy....lol. Not trying to offend, but I constantly add stuff that is not necessary, like multiple shutoff switches in the battery system, dual LED battery condition meters, one at the batteries, one inside the rv to monitor both places, etc, etc.
Allen
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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hemi-kz wrote:I maybe way too neurotic, but when batteries are working hard they out-gas hydrogen, when fans are running they create little sparks...Remember Apollo 13?
Very Good Point!!!
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Toy-hauler
NorthWest
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Joined: 12/04/2004
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jetenbu wrote:I am thinking of installing a cooling fan (120v out of an old computer power supply) on the outside of my plastic battery box. I already have a vent out the top to the outside of the trailer but thought if I forced some air over the batteries it would help vent them better and keep them cooler. Has anyone done this? How about recommendations? Any advice would be appreciated.
When you cut the hole in the side of your sealed and vented box. It will become unsealed and will vent out the fan hole when the fan is not running, which will be most of the time.
08 F-450 Red Lariat 08 KZ Inferno 3912 - 24k Superglide with under bed rails sitting in garage not going to be used, what a shame.
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jetenbu
Southeast Texas
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All good points guys. I guess I will just leave well enough alone. And yes, I am always looking at ways to make things better (or create more work for myself) whichever is right. LOL... No offense taken. I am a real worry wart when it comes to my toy hauler. I always want it to be perfect. I guess it is perfect enough as it is. I love my KZ. I could not be any happier. Thanks for all the feedback.
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