Quote Originally Posted by Mr__Bean View Post
3am am KABOOOM. I blew the wardrobe door off its hinges.
Now, for my question..... Can a similar risk exist if charging today's batteries in a closed storage area in a boat?
HELL YEH.

Regardless of the type and size of the charger, hyrdrogen is an inevitable result of charging a lead acid battery.

All battery enclosures should be ventilated.....

Even the lid of your plastic battery box should have small ventilation holes to prevent gass build up.

This is a real issue and it does happen....it is rare but actual batteries have been known to explode due to excessive current ( heavy & sustained short circuits) and under other so called freak conditions.

Lead Acid batteries can be very dangerous things if not treated with respect.
Verry heavy
Concentrated acid.
Ability to deliver very high fault current.100's & 1000's of amps
generates highly explosive gas.

A few simple precautions and thousands are used with safety every day.

cheers