POWER VENT TESTING
November, 1995. Initial explosion proof tests were performed
in an acetylene/air environment. The fan was cycled on/off every
15 seconds for three hours. There were no explosions.
The unit was then placed in the battery compartment of a prototype
power shed. The power shed included a 530 watt, 24 volt array
charging a 350 amp hour battery bank. A plastic tent covered
the battery tops and was tied tight to the batteries allowing
very little fresh air to be introduced into the system. The Power
Vent was ducted so as to return the battery fumes back into the
tent. (Not recommended practice!) The fan was operated by a cycle
timer, turning on or off every 45 seconds or 1.5 minutes per
cycle for 120 days and then 3 minutes per cycle for another 40
days. Battery temperature ranged from 50 to 77 degrees F over
the 160 days of testing. The battery voltage was regulated by
an APT charge controller and battery voltage was 25.4 to 29.4
volts at all times except when 4 equalize charges raised the
voltage to 33 volts for several hours. More than two gallons
of water were added to the 4 batteries in 160 days. Under these
extreme conditions the unit cycled over one hundred and thirty
thousand times without failure or explosion. We are currently
still using this unit in our shop system!
The only unit that has failed under testing was subjected
to battery acid poured directly into the fan motor. Oddly enough
the electronics continued to work but the acid coagulated the
ball bearing grease and the motor could not overcome the friction.
A small hole has been placed on the battery side of the damper
to allow hydrogen to escape in the event the unit does fail.
Reports from customers who have had POWER VENTS in operation
since January, 1996 are very satisfactory.
