Vented lead acid batteriesare commonly called flooded or wet cell batteries be cause of their conspicuous use of liquid electrolyte.
Vented lead acid batteries.
In the event of an overcharge condition it is possible for excess pressure to build up inside your battery.
Most of the battery complies with bs 6290 din40738 and iec standard.
Epsom salts reduces the internal resistance in a weak or damaged battery and may allow a small amount of extended life.
Vented lead acid batteries are commonly called flooded spillable or wet cell batteries because of their conspicuous use of liquid electrolyte figure 2.
Vented lead acid battery.
As long as a vent is present and operating properly this should not present an issue.
Chemical additives have been used ever since the lead acid battery became a commercial item to reduce lead sulfate build up on plates and improve battery condition when added to the electrolyte of a vented lead acid battery.
They are maintenance free in the sense of not requiring the addition of water to offset hydrogen gas released during the charging process.
These batteries have a negative and a positive terminal on their top or sides along with vent caps on their top.
Type pp vented pasted plate.
Overcharging especially if the battery is old heavily corroded or damaged can produce h 2 s.
Deteriorated old or damaged lead acid batteries should be removed from service as damaged batteries are much more likely to be associated with production of h 2 s.
Lead acid has a moderate life span but it is not subject to memory as nickel based systems are and the charge retention is best among rechargeable batteries.
While nicd loses approximately 40 percent of their stored energy in three months lead acid self discharges the same amount in one year.
High performance batteries are designed to give long services life.
Such treatments are rarely if ever effective.
Two compounds used for such purposes are epsom salts and edta.
These products are suitably used by utilities marine oil gas and petrochemical.
Since these are stored inside your vehicle you run the risk of inhaling dangerous battery acid vapors.
Even though your batteries are normally sealed they actually do have a venting system integrated into the case top.
Flooded lead acid batteries release toxic hydrogen gas when charging.
They need to be enclosed and vented to the outside to prevent this gas from being trapped and creating a hazardous environment.
The short answer is your mechanic is giving you the straight story and you do need to vent these batteries.
This vent is valuable because it gives a good amount of airflow to keep the battery compartment cool and vapor free.
Crown cr430 6v flooded lead acid battery.