why is this vent here?

[Globie64]

I'm about to redo the front of the tub/sink/toilet unit in my'64 Globetrotter; the fiberglass piece has been hacked up and had carpet glued to it... there is a vent through it to the rear compartment (where the battery, pumps, electrical stuff is). Why is this vent here, and is it necessary? I seems like you wouldn't want to share air with the battery and the interior of the rig. I'm thinking I'll put a piece of Marmoleum on the front of all of this, and maybe I'll just leave the vent out?

Thanks

Peter

[overlander63]

You can eliminate the vent, just make sure you have a vent in the battery compartment to vent the hydrogen gas. It is lighter than air, so it will need to be near the top of the compartment.

[Globie64]

Thanks. I also wondered if there was a way the compartment vented through the hot water heater vent/intake.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by Globie64

Thanks. I also wondered if there was a way the compartment vented through the hot water heater vent/intake.

The water heater's hot parts should be sealed from the interior of the trailer. It is a high used of oxugen, and produces toxic fumes. That is why water heaters are typically vented to the outside via vents in the water heater door.

[47WeeWind]

Hi Peter:

I always thought the vents on either side of the flush pedal helped keep the rear utility compartment warm during freezing weather, and made a small contribution to preventing the water pipes from freezing by circulating some warmer cabin air in there. I'd be inclined to leave the vent open if you ever plan to camp in cold weather.

Originally, the battery had its own top cover and a vent tube (for hydrogen gas) that ran up towards the rear end. On the outside rear, towards the curb side, you will find a short upside down "L" bracket riveted on as a drip cap to the small hole underneath it that accepts the vent tube from the battery.

[Globie64]

"...you will find a short upside down "L" bracket riveted on as a drip cap to the small hole underneath it..."

would this be visible on the outside, or underneath? I have the original battery cover, but it doesn't fit the current battery.

Peter

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Globie64

"...you will find a short upside down "L" bracket riveted on as a drip cap to the small hole underneath it...". Would this be visible on the outside, or underneath? I have the original battery cover, but it doesn't fit the current battery. Peter

Hi Peter:

It is visible on the outside rear end of the trailer, on the right side, above the access hatch to the rear utility compartment and lower than the tail lights. If the "L" bracket has been removed, the small hole should still be there (unless someone filled it with a rivet).

[Globie64]

I'll look; I've seen those vent things, and mine doesn't have one. There may be a rivet. Might it be something that was on earlier trailers only? I wonder if it might be an Ohio vs CA manufactured rig?