Hi, + 1 on that part. During the charge cycle the liquid in the cells of wet lead acid batteries splits off into hydrogen and oxygen - hence the need to ventilate battery compartments.
The DDEC systems have always been very reliable from what I have seen. They're a good system and pretty much what MTU is still using today. In all honesty they make the 2 cycle Detroits run like a modern 4 stroke. Providing the motor doesn't have a dead cylinder. They start right up almost always, even when it's 65F outside, they have clean exhaust within seconds, and they run smooth throughout the RPM range, they also have a lot of nice information features on the display- load, fuel pressure, fuel burn, all of the temps, boost pressure etc....... Problem was, they programmed the DDEC'son the 2 stroke Detroits to where every engine was pretty much maxed out HP wise......More HP less longevity as we all know......