Mark, I think you are referring to valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries, not flooded ones. Both are available in high-current/shallow discharge as well as deep cycle versions. Flooded batteries do generate more hydrogen than VRLA. The reason has to do with VRLA allowing gas inside the battery to have access to the surface of the plates, because the electrolyte is held in a gas-permeable solid or semi-solid material rather than simply plates submerged in an acid bath. Well maintained flooded batteries can have a longer life than VRLA because you can add water whereas VRLA often die from drying out. However, you do need to guarantee more ventilation with flooded than VRLA, although VRLA still needs some ventilation in case of accidental overcharge, resulting in higher than normal rate of H2 production. Sean On Sun, Jun 30, 2013 at 7:48 AM, Mark Hanchey wrote= : > On 6/29/2013 3:24 PM, veegee wrote: > > * Indoor use, so flooded lead-acid is to be avoided. > > > > Unless you have thousands to spend on batteries that is going to be your > only option that can do what you want. Deep cycle batteries are what > everyone uses to get long life and long run times. I know people fear > the concept that charging of the battery will produce hydrogen gas but > that is only true if the charger over charges the batteries. If these > batteries leaked hydrogen every time they charged they would be > worthless because it wouldn't take long for the electrolyte to dry out. > Get some batteries designed for solar use and you shouldn't have a > problem. > > > Mark > > -- > http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .