Do sealed lead acid batteries require ventilation when used in a home?

Question

I plan on wiring together eight 12V 35Ah Helios Sealed Lead Acid golf cart batteries (model FB 12-35) in series and parallel to give me a 24V battery bank. The bank will be used with a 24V inverter to give me 110VAC and will be used for backups as well as small loads like a wireless router. It will be charged with a solar panel.

If I setup the batteries in my basement, would I need to ventilate them? I've read that sealed lead acid batteries do not vent any gas but I want to be sure about it.

Here is a page showing the type of battery I purchased:
http://www.batteries.com/productprofile.asp?appid=265102

Does anyone here know if this battery has liquid inside, or uses AGM?

I've been reading a book called "The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence" by William Kemp. In this book it says that all types of batteries whether they are liquid, AGM, gel, sealed or unsealed ***MUST*** be ventilated. They all produce some amount of hydrogen gas, the sealed batteries generating less than the unsealed but they all generate some. The answers below were very helpful but seem to be incorrect in this regard. I also got a second opinion from someone who has worked on solar installations who has backed up what the book says. For those of you who are asking the same question: Please do further research before installing batteries in your home. You do not want to burn your home down or put your family at risk of injury simply because you failed to vent your batteries outside.

Answer 1

As the previous answerer stated you need to plan for any problem if the batteries overheat and crack open.

There are four other concerns. Check with your town/city health department whether there are prohibitions on keeping batteries like that charging in your basement. Do you have a powerful enough solar panel to keep them charged including considering your local insolation and annual average cloudy day count? With the batteries in a series/parallel arrangement you need to add some regulating and monitoring electronics to make sure that weak batteries are not destroyed by the stronger ones putting out a higher voltage, because sooner or later some batteries will fail. Are those deep discharge batteries? If they are instead just like car batteries they will be permanently ruined if they eventually lose their charge.

Answer 2

No ventilation is required for set up or use, however, you should plan for a breakdown and subsequent leak. Build a small containment around the abtteries, or simply place them above the ground on something that will catch the acid should the blow. Make sure there is a window nearby that can be opened without walking through the battery area so you can ventilate if needed.

Answer 3

No I don't think that is going to work. Although it does not specifically say so, I believe it is powered by 120 volts AC and is not designed to be powered by a 12 volt dc motor. What are you trying to build? It sort of sounds like a wind powered battery charger. You are going to have to look elsewhere for your charger.

Answer 4

Sealed lead acid batteries are sealed so its that liquid level is constant even without maintenance. They don't require ventilation.