[mboxler]

I'm powering my Dodd preamp with a SLA 12v battery charged with a CTEK smart charger.  I do not have it inside a case (wife doesn't care).  I've assumed that this was safe, but with more and more people powering there audio with batteries, I wanted to make sure that a case for a battery used indoors is truely optional. 

Thanks, Mike

[mikeeastman]

As long as it's a sealed battery it won't give off any gas so they are fine not being in a box.

[S Clark]

When functioning correctly, they don't give off gases.  However, I have had a battery swell and leak inside a Dodd battery preamp.  It might be a good idea for batteries to be in an acid resistant container.  Having said that, my two dacs, my Dodd buffer, and my Dodd phono stage have exposed batteries with no case.  I may have to rethink that. 
Scott

[srb]

All SLA batteries will vent minute amounts of hydrogen gas which should not not be a problem if not allowed to build up.  They also have a safety vent if for some reason the pressure builds up from too high an ambient temperature, a malfunctioning charger giving higher than normal charge rate, internal sulfation or from a short circuit (internal or external).

From a safety standpoint, it's not a bad idea to have a battery box to provide some containment for any of these abnormal conditions, but the box should also be vented and not completely sealed.

Steve

[Vinnie R.]

If you are not going to put them in a box, make sure there is no way that the battery terminals can accidentally short - as this will cause trouble!

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

I wanted to make sure that a case for a battery used indoors is truely optional. 

Thanks, Mike

No sweat, buddie.

FYI, I've been using 6V SAL cell for a few years now, housed in a small tightly enclosed plastic Hammond case together with a switch-mode PS charging the SAL cell. It is for powering my 2 phono-preamp tubes heaters.

Zip sign of gas trapped inside at all. No need of any housing if you don't want one.

c-J