Is Gassing Good For a Wet Battery?
When a wet (flooded) Low Maintenance (Sb/Ca) battery reaches the absorption stage which is approximately 14.4 VDC at 80° F (26.7° C) or 80% State-of-Charge during a charge, it will start to gas (bubble) and is a normal part of the charging process. Gassing is the electrolysis of water into two parts Hydrogen gas and one part Oxygen gas and can be explosive. The gas bubbles given off by the plates will help to mix the electrolyte as they rise to the surface. This will help to prevent electrolyte stratification. Electrolyte stratification is acid concentration that is greater at the bottom of a battery than at the top, especially within batteries with more than 100 amp hours capacity. Normal charging should produce moderate amount of even gassing of all cells, which is good. Overcharging a battery or rapidly charging with high voltage will produce heavy gassing, heat, consume excessive quantities of water, accelerate positive grid corrosion, warp the plates, and is NOT recommended. Venti
