Re: Re: battery moving - was tie rods (& voltage variance)

[Frank Martin <fmartin@mr.oa.ithaca.edu>]

>From: human <human@nh.ultranet.com>
>Date: Tue, 17 Dec 96 15:44:31 -0500
>Subject: Re: battery moving - was tie rods
>
>- -- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
>
>>Usually Audi batteries come with a vent hole on top of the side of 
>the battery and ables you to hook up a hose a'la winshield washer and 
>stick it ou side through a hole of your choice to vent the gases.
>
>Too bad I put the biggest Interstate that would fit in it new last winter. 
>Actually had to bang the tray up a bit to fit it!  It of course is not
>vented like a back seat Audi battery I'm sure.  Oh well.  For the future,
>though!
>- --
>Huw Powell
>
>HUMAN Speakers
>

Are you sure that your Interstate doesn't have the vent tube-hookup feature? I 
just the other night checked my battery (was installed new when I bought the 
'89 100Q in June '95), and I noticed the vent tube, and I'm sure it is an 
Interstate.  A very very large-cased battery.  Huge.

As I mull this over, it strikes me that installing a battery right under the 
back seat (such as it is) *without* venting it to the outside could 
potentially produce a very dangerous situation. As I understand it, the gases 
that batteries produce are extremely explosive; if for some reason your 
battery begins to vent these gases (either normal operation, or an 
over-charging stuation), and they collect under the back seat, and you or one 
of your passengers lights up a cig./stogie, ......KABOOOOOOOM!   Yes? Or no?

Incidently, thanks to all who sent suggestions re: my voltage variance 
situation (pulsing voltmeter needle & electrics). I'll be checking this out 
over the holidays, and will post what I find is/was the problem.  And yes, my 
battery was so dry when I checked it that the tops of all the plates were dry. 
I may be getting over-charging due to my problem. Then again, maybe this 
caused my problem? (Yes, I should have checked it sooner, but this is the 
first car I've had with the battery under the back seat, and, "out of sight, 
out of mind.")  

Frank M.
'89 100Q
'88 Mazda 323 GTX