My 5-yr old 9-3's battery quit on me yesterday, leaving me temporarily stranded. Went and bought a replacement at a parts store, then noticed something as I installed the new one. There is a small tube and hose that plugged directly into the original battery, leading down unidentifiably towards the headlight region in the lower front end. The new battery has no such connection, so I've temporarily left the hose unconnected. Can someone tell me what this small hose is? Never seen one on previous (non-Saab) cars owned. Is it some sort of venting system? Does it directly power something? Can I leave it unconnected? Thanks for any advice...
Battery question
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Joined
·
128 Posts
All lead acid batteries emit hydrogen gas when being charged. The vent hose is important to insure that the gas is evacuated from the battery box. The only danger of operating without the hose is the hydrogen gas could accumulate within the battery box and a spark (short, loose connection, etc..) might set it off. When it is allowed to vent through the hose, it is shielded from a spark.
I haven’t looked at my Saab battery (the dealer changed it under warranty last year), but my BMW 3 series had the same type of vent hose for the battery. You should be able to find a non-factory replacement battery that includes the connector for the vent hose.
I haven’t looked at my Saab battery (the dealer changed it under warranty last year), but my BMW 3 series had the same type of vent hose for the battery. You should be able to find a non-factory replacement battery that includes the connector for the vent hose.
I had a vent hose on my Miata, but the batt. was in the trunk so there was no natural ventilation. With newer cars that have an underbody tray, you just don't get as much air to naturally vent the hydrogen. I still think that chances of ignition are pretty small even w/o the tube, but what do I know. Perhaps they need to add a warning label stating: "do not talk on your cell phone while sitting in the engine compartment if the vent tube is not attached to your battery as static electricity could result in discharge and fire"
I don't know what percentage of auto batteries these days are gel vs. liquid. The batteries I've replaced over the past few years have all been liquid.rotate said:
Gel batteries apparently have "emergency" vents in case pressure gets too high. The sealed liquid acid batteries still vent, you just can't remove the vent caps like the old days.
http://www.advancedpowerproducts.com/marinecomps.php
No Current Automotive Starting Batteries are Gel.
People confuse Absorbed Glass Mat Seal Acid batteries as gels. an example is the Optima line of batteies.
Gels do not allow for charging above 13.8 volts. Automotive charging systems tend to level off at about 14.4 volts for a 12 volt system.
A newer high calcium battery tends not to loos to much gas till it gets older and then pukes tons of explosive gas.
the Saab 9-3 uses a BCI ( Battery Councel international) group size 91. I would not install any other "amost fit" universal battery in the 9-3 and since they have a cover i woiuld be concerned about gassing as the gas will build upoin the covered chamber and if there is an ignition it will be very forceful.
Get the right part for the right car.
if you have more questions you can E-mail me at [email protected]
I have been selling and serecing batteries for all ablications from Cell phones to Marathom busses for about 10 years now.
People confuse Absorbed Glass Mat Seal Acid batteries as gels. an example is the Optima line of batteies.
Gels do not allow for charging above 13.8 volts. Automotive charging systems tend to level off at about 14.4 volts for a 12 volt system.
A newer high calcium battery tends not to loos to much gas till it gets older and then pukes tons of explosive gas.
the Saab 9-3 uses a BCI ( Battery Councel international) group size 91. I would not install any other "amost fit" universal battery in the 9-3 and since they have a cover i woiuld be concerned about gassing as the gas will build upoin the covered chamber and if there is an ignition it will be very forceful.
Get the right part for the right car.
if you have more questions you can E-mail me at [email protected]
I have been selling and serecing batteries for all ablications from Cell phones to Marathom busses for about 10 years now.
Wow! That's very good and useful information. I didn't know about battery sizing and such. Usually when the auto store ask me what size battery I want, I just tell them I need a 66AH or 74AH battery and they seem to know what size I should be using. How do I tell the size of the battery? Is there any standard battery marking/numbering on the battery that will tell me what size it is? I have a 60AH cell sitting below my desk right now.
Well i was looking for a BCI application guide that i could post and have been unanble to find one.
Each group size and manufacturer will have different Amp Hour Ratings.
The group size also indicates the physical dimentions of a battery and the hold down points.
i remember i used to install tons of Optima batteries in the 900 turbos because the turbo was so close to the battery that it would cause premature failiure. The Optima is a sealed valve regulated Absorbed glass mat batter and altho the Amp Hour rating is probably the lowest for its size it outputs the highes cranking amps for its size. the reason is the structural integrity of the cells that allows softer lead alloys to be employed there fore less internal resistance in the plates.
I will continue to look for a Servicable BCI Guide or link.
Each group size and manufacturer will have different Amp Hour Ratings.
The group size also indicates the physical dimentions of a battery and the hold down points.
i remember i used to install tons of Optima batteries in the 900 turbos because the turbo was so close to the battery that it would cause premature failiure. The Optima is a sealed valve regulated Absorbed glass mat batter and altho the Amp Hour rating is probably the lowest for its size it outputs the highes cranking amps for its size. the reason is the structural integrity of the cells that allows softer lead alloys to be employed there fore less internal resistance in the plates.
I will continue to look for a Servicable BCI Guide or link.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
