benn,
I'm not aware of any listed battery vents. Given the cost of listing, and the size of the market, it's unlikely there ever will be. Wanna pay $300 for a listed vent? I have never had an issue with an inspector about them.

You might consider a standard AC squirrel cage fan from Grainger or some such, controlled by a 12V-coil relay on an FM60 or similar controller's auxiliary vent fan circuit. It would then only run when the batteries are nearly full.

Other ideas? Try the approach that if there is no listed product, the inspector is allowed to allow a reasonable alternative. Most likely the batteries are also unlisted - compared to that, the vent fan is minor.

I use intake vents; otherwise how can the exhaust fan work if the box is well sealed? The objective is to draw the hydrogen gas up and out, not just suck on it while it accumulates inside the box.

Allan Sindelar
Allan@positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com


On 2/25/2011 4:55 PM, benn kilburn wrote:
Good Afternoon Wrenches,

In recommending for a client, the materials and plans for constructing a battery box for a 48V, 2400Ah battery, it came to my attention that the only battery box vent fan that i am aware of on the market (the Zeypher) is not UL listed, let alone approved for use in Canada.  So now i am in search of such a product.

 My plans thus far are to have a well sealed box (? at least the upper portion of the box ?) with vent holes in the upper-most part of the box piped together and connecting to one outside exhaust vent.  I was planning on using (at least) two of the power vent fans at the top holes of the battery box, but after mentioning using this product to the inspector, he said that the vent fan would be required to bear the proper approval markings.  
I am still trying to determine if there should be lower 'intake' vents as well.

If this power vent is not even listed, what are your feelings on using them in a permitted and inspected system?  

Is anyone aware of an (approved) product or method for 'power' venting a battery box?

I have read some of the extensive threads here on battery boxes and have not found a definitive practice for venting a battery box.  I'd be happy for someone to point me in the right direction if i have missed something.  There seems to be quite a range of opinions on the need for providing a (lower) intake and (higher) exhaust vent.  

Thanks,
benn


DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. 
780-906-7807 
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