Does anyone know what this is?

[mmeans]

This is a picture of the curbside access door that was under the gaucho bed on my 1967 Caravel. The thing in the middle is a flexible hose that runs from above the door to the floor. Was this supposed to be connected to something? What was it's purpose?

[Bigventure]

That was the vent line for the battery compartment that sit inside the door under the gaucho.

[idroba]

Yes, Bigventure nailed it, vent line for the original battery location. It ran to a plastic cap over the battery and in theory at least vented the battery to outside.

[mmeans]

Thanks! It didn't seem to be open to the outside, but may be clogged with dirt. Is this sufficient ventilation for a battery compartment?

[dino242]

We have something similar in our Ambassador (66) in the back, and did not know what it was. Thanks!!

[idroba]

One can debate what is sufficient battery ventilation. Obviously AS thought it was enough back in the day. I have no opinion, as I really know little about the subject. Some think a lot is needed, some others think very little is necessary.

The vent hole should be open to the outside. It might have been plugged by mud daubers over the years.

[Stefrobrts]

You can also get sealed batteries so you don't have to worry about venting.

['55 Airlight]

Even AGM batteries can out gas poisonous and explosive vapors if the charger malfunctions. (As Alfred E. Neuman would say: "What, me worry?")

[JCWDCW]

I have done safety reviews on Lift Truck battery charging stations. Even with this large battery pack, there is not enough hydrogen released in open air to be a problem, but we still ventilate with fresh air and an upper vent opening. In the confined space under a bed I'm not too comfortable. There are too many incidents of exploding batteries when jumping one vehicle to another so I say you need to get a vent at the top of the compartment and let the hydrogen find its way out(side). Hydrogen is lighter than air so it will rise. The tube in the photo won't work since Hydrogen will only flow down if there is so much gas inside the compartment it is pushing it out under (ever-so-slight) pressure. If that happens you are sitting on a potential bomb.
New AS battery compartments are sealed plastic boxes with no seal around the door in the outer skin. When you open the door, any hydrogen will dissipate very quickly.
Hydrogen is not considered toxic but it is one H___ of an explosive gas...(Rocket fuel!)

JCW

[mmeans]

Thank you for the excellent info! I will go ahead and remove the hose and clean out the vent to the outside.

[mimiandrews]

The hose was probably attached to a vent in the top cover of the battery. JCW is absolutely right about how hydrogen travels.