Re: Batteries in the passenger compartment?

> It is best to have some type of fire wall between the battery box
> container
> and the passenger compartment.  The fire wall between the motor bay and
> passenger may not be completely steel.  There are areas in the firewall
> that
> may be plastic like the heater fan units, the heater core covers, and wire
> and cable entrances points.
>
> Now is you look at some trunks, the fire wall between the trunk area and
> the
> rear seat may be only a plastic or cloth insulator.  If you use the trunk
> method, its is best to install a full piece of metal over this area.
>
> Looking at a pickup with batteries in the box, and if you have a battery
> explosion, the rear glass will break up into small pieces and embed into
> you.
>
> I am using the pick up method, but I replace or overlay that rear glass
> with
> a piece of 1/4 inch very high impact lexon glass you can get at a glass
> shop.
>
> All my batteries are enclose in a two compartments of 1/4 inch fiberglass
> sheeting that is reinforce up to 1/2 inch thick or more.  The battery box
> covers are stainless full length hinge and double seal when the lids are
> close.
>
> A battery box ventilation should be use, where the all plastic totally
> enclose fan exhaust the battery box air out from one corner which brings
> in
> fresh air through a filter at the other corner of the box. The exhaust air
> goes up in a heavy duty 1/4 inch flex hose.  DO NOT USE THOSE THIN VINYL
> HOSES, where the battery fumes will take these out in with a day.
>
> Most important is to have the battery box covers hinge so only the open
> end
> faces away from the passenger compartment.  Plus, do not latch the covers
> down, only hinge them, plus as well any other cover.
>
> Back in 1985 I had one defective battery exploded, which also took out 9
> other batteries.  The battery covers lefted up, plus also left up the
> hatch
> back cover which blew out the lexon glass all in one piece.  The rear
> window
> lexon glass panel held.
>
> A local battery company slip in 10 batteries that was 9 months old with a
> new 21 other batteries that were 1 month old.  The batteries exploded the
> minute I press the accelerator.
>
> It is possible to use a wagon as a EV, but I would get that back panel
> section from a pickup and install it, so it would separate the driver
> section from the battery section.  Use a 1/4 inch lexon glass you can get
> from a glass company and seal it in so it overlaps the flange on the
> battery
> side.
>
> The only problem, is if you have a battery explosion, it will shatter all
> the side windows and may kill some one if you do not reinforce those too.
>
> If you do not use battery box covers or hinge covers, then I would triple
> layer this glass between the the passenger compartment and the batteries.
> Also remember to ventilated the battery area.  I first start up the
> exhaust
> fans before I turn on the battery charger and open any covers.  Run the
> fans
> for about 1 minute before you charge the batteries or work on them.
>
> I have install a interlock system, where I must first turn on the fans
> which
> activates a switch which detects the air flow in the fan exhaust hoses.
> When the flow is corrected, then it activates DC contactor that is between
> the battery charger and batteries.
>
> At any time, this fan fails, it will then shut down the battery charger.
>
> This fan control system is use on building heating systems, where the fans
> must come on first and stay for a certain amount of time after the heating
> system shuts down.
>
> Roland
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Heynow" <mistel@...>
> To: <ev@...>
> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 8:14 AM
> Subject: [EVDL] Batteries in the passenger compartment?
>
>
> >
> > I have been avoiding looking at wagons as a glider as I don't like the
> > idea
> > of batteries in the passenger compartment.  I want to be able to keep
> them
> > in the trunk and under the hood.  Am I wrong in thinking this?  Do some
> > wagons have more carrying capacity, so they are better foe an EV?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Peter
> > --
> > View this message in context:
> >
> http://www.nabble.com/Batteries-in-the-passenger-compartment--tp16924189p16924189.html
> > Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at
> > Nabble.com.
> >
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