Poisioning Myself While Charging a PowerPack in My Automobile

[W. Watson]

If I decide to charge a power pack like the Xantrex 600
<http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200317822_200317822>
from a 12v outlet inside the car, am going to poison myself from any toxic
or noxious fumes coming from the PP. Is there a way to ventilate the fumes
easily?

 

[ehsjr]

If I decide to charge a power pack like the Xantrex 600
<http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200317822_200317822>
from a 12v outlet inside the car, am going to poison myself from any
toxic or noxious fumes coming from the PP. Is there a way to ventilate
the fumes easily?

It uses a sealed AGM battery. If you charge it properly there
will be no fumes.

Ed

 

[Lord Garth]

If I decide to charge a power pack like the Xantrex 600
<http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20031782
2_200317822>
from a 12v outlet inside the car, am going to poison myself from any toxic
or noxious fumes coming from the PP. Is there a way to ventilate the fumes
easily?

The battery is a sealed unit, AGM type for Absorbed Glass Mat. It is a
fiberglass
material that hold the electrolyte.

Charging will only occur if your engine is running since you need more that
the
battery potential (12 volts) to accomplish this, assuming that the battery
in the
portable unit is 12 volts at the start.

The charging rate will determine how fast hydrogen is produced while the
construction on the battery will determine the rate the gas can be absorbed.
The battery will vent the gas if there is too much pressure. Failing this,
the
cell will swell, sometimes very visibly and possibly bursting.

There is likely a current limiting device within the DC charging cable to
prevent overcharging but venting is normally a wise precaution.

 

[Rich Grise]

The battery is a sealed unit, AGM type for Absorbed Glass Mat. It is a
fiberglass
material that hold the electrolyte.

Charging will only occur if your engine is running since you need more
that the
battery potential (12 volts) to accomplish this, assuming that the battery
in the
portable unit is 12 volts at the start.

Ergo, exhaust is probably a much more serious health threat.

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Lord Garth]

<http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20031782
2_200317822>

Ergo, exhaust is probably a much more serious health threat.

Now the "Yeah, but..."

Yeah, but the exhaust is outside the vehicle and behind him so
it's as well ventilated as it can get. ;-)

 

[W. Watson]

I would prefer not to drill any more holes in the floor board. I seriously
doubt the 600WD PP has a vent anyway. It appears though the fiberglass (AGM)
construction makes it safe. However, I would hope, as indicated by a post
above, that a breaker cuts off the battery if there's some overload problem.

 

[Lord Garth]

I would prefer not to drill any more holes in the floor board. I seriously
doubt the 600WD PP has a vent anyway. It appears though the fiberglass (AGM)
construction makes it safe. However, I would hope, as indicated by a post
above, that a breaker cuts off the battery if there's some overload problem.

The battery itself has pop off vents and the unit is not likely air tight
nor is the
trunk to cabin space though some trunks are pretty close. This is probably
not any real issue but I have observed a hood blown off a car due to the
owner
charging the battery with the compartment closed. I don't recall how long
it
sat but when he tried to start the engine, the hood blew off.

Measure the current drawn when the DC cable is attached. A trickle charge
is usually about one tenth the discharge rate.

 

[John O'Flaherty]

I would prefer not to drill any more holes in the floor board. I seriously
doubt the 600WD PP has a vent anyway. It appears though the fiberglass (AGM)
construction makes it safe. However, I would hope, as indicated by a post
above, that a breaker cuts off the battery if there's some overload problem.

In any case, any gases evolved would be hydrogen and oxygen as H2 and
O2. Neither is poisonous. Any explosion would result in non-toxic,
green smithereens.

 

[W. Watson]

I finally got a response from Xantrex. They said the PP is sealed and
presents no problem unless it is overcharged. They said that the automobile
charging circuit would prevent that. I got no further explanation. 3-4 hours
to fully charge the PP.