Battery vent question...

[KOwens]

Hey TDR gurus,

My 2010 is 10 years old this summer...and I'm in the process of completing my 2nd 5-year service interval list of chores...one of which is replacing both the passenger side and driver side batteries. The older batteries (BB94R750AA) have been superseded by (BBH7F001AA) according to my Ram dealer, which now have what appears to be a small vent hole at the top, rear (away from the terminal lugs) of the batteries. A small, 90 degree, barbed hose fitting is inserted into one of the vent holes...while the opposite side vent hole appears to have a plug pressed into it.

So here are my questions.

1) Am I correct in assuming this is for venting hydrogen gas from the batteries during the charge cycle?
2) If so, why the new vent plumbing (since the batteries are not in an enclosed space)?
3) If not...is there risk of something corrosive leaking from this new port in the top of the battery?
4) And finally, what have you guys/gals been doing with this new vent plumbing on you Ram diesel trucks?

Thanks in advance for fielding my questions...trying to get these installed today if possible...and could use your help understanding this change in configuration!

 

[mwilson]

All Wet Cell Batteries have a vent up top. You just don't notice it until someone sticks a 90 Degree plastic elbow on it....

I would assume that there are several applications other than the Ram trucks where this particular H7 battery is used.

A couple of those applications probably have the battery mounted in the trunk such as the Chrysler 300. Those applications require a vent to the outside.

The battery in my Caddy is under the back seat for example and has a vent tube that exits through the floorpan....

 

[KOwens]

Thanks mwilson,

I checked with my local NAPA autoparts store...and for six bucks they sell a vent kit that comes with the 90 degree elbow and some tubing that is designed for the potentially acidic fumes coming from the battery. Plan to plumb the tubing away from the battery terminal area toward the lower part of the wheel well using a couple of zip ties. Seems intellectually satisfying enough for me.

Thanks again for the reply.

 

[mwilson]

Here are the vents on my CAT branded batteries...

 

[KOwens]

Yup...very similar configuration. Guess this is the way forward...since more brands include this venting feature.

Thanks again.

 

[Ozymandias]

All sealed wet cell batterys have this breather. That's nothing new or unique.

 

[seafish]

Yup...very similar configuration. Guess this is the way forward...since more brands include this venting feature.

Thanks again.

Again, ALL wet cell batteries are vented somewhere through their top...the addition of an actual pronged fitting is simply to allow for the OPTION of mounting the same battery in a closed battery compartment and then attaching an additional line to for venting outside said compartment. There is NO reason you need to add a vent line to the elbow on your batteries when it is placed under the hood of your truck to in other "open" engine locations.