Hello everyone…I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RVI have noticed a small leak in one of the house batteries ( I have two 12 volt batteries)To give you a better history, both batteries are exactly 3 years old, I have driven the RV for 3000 miles on the first year, and since then it has been hooked up for 6 months then another 6 months in storage, I check the batteries and add distilled water every few months, there is no corrosion or any other issues, the RV has a built-in charger that keeps them charged when I am hooked up to shore power.The RV has been in storage from March till November, last time I added distilled water was in March… when I operated the RV in November ( the chassis battery had died so I had to jump start it ) I noticed that leak or overflow on side of the caps of the second battery… I thought it was because I drove the RV on bumpy road from storage to the spot… last week I changed the chassis battery, turned the RV on for few minutes then changed the oil… then I noticed that small leak again… the panel light indicators ( with the 4 dot lights ) show the batteries are fully charged so I ruled out the issues with charging, also cannot be too much distilled water since I haven’t added any since March… the leak seems very light / small, barely wet area on the top next to the caps… so what could that be acid or water? And what are the possible causes based on the history of the RV I mentioned above ?Thank you all for taking the time to read my post

if leaking from caps 2 thing come to mine over fill or charging system a hair over what it is called for.

When they install them they very often, too often over tighten the hold down clamps, reuse old rusty one or small cheap ones and they can cut into or crack the case even if very small cracks. If your leak is around the post replace it or all of the batteries or if it is leaking from where the clamp is or anywhere else.Over heating the battery such as if they go dry and you refill and charge or desulfate, them and the clamps are too tight it may leak there or elsewhere.Not much of any way to repair the case but..I don't know everything.

If the battery is actually leaking, it is almost impossible to repair. If one cell can take a lot more water than the others, be ready to replace one or both. As stated above, it is very possible that the installer cracked the case.Matt

The water level should be just below the split ring which is about 1" or so below the top. Did you over fill?Discharged batteries fail quicker. Since one's been replaced have the other battery checked at a battery shop or auto store, usually free. Buy a digital voltmeter so that you can check the battery voltage and really know what is happening. Even the $10 Harbor Freight one should be OK. Read about battery charging voltage for bulk, absorb and float. Your battery lights are often referred to as idiot lights. Their main purpose is for the salesman to point out what a wonderful monitor the RV has. What model battery charger do you have? Some are rather poor at charging batteries. A good 3 stage battery charger will charge a discharged battery at about 14.4V for bulk and then taper the amps for absorb and then lower the voltage to 13.4V for float.

house battery leaking | Good Sam Community

rwynkoop
Explorer
Dec 31, 2020
Could it be the "Leaking" battery is bad, boiling water out of it? When I have had one battery fail(From a set I bought together), the bad battery acid bubbled. I believe this happens when one or more cells fails.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 31, 2020
Sir Traveller,

Get a timer and set it to do 1 hour per day of charging.

But the charging system may need replacement. It is not terribly expensive to do so.

Do you know what make and model of converter (battery charger) is in your RV?
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2020
Sir Traveller wrote:
what are my options in this case? since the charging system is built in?

Plug in one day per week when stored.
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Dec 30, 2020
CA Traveler wrote:
Are your house batteries 12V Marine Deep Cycle? If so be aware they are a modified starting battery and not a real deep cycle battery. May be OK for your use, but just so you know.

I think so

they are 12 volts deep-cycle Duracell from batteries+bulbs store
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2020
Are your house batteries 12V Marine Deep Cycle? If so be aware they are a modified starting battery and not a real deep cycle battery. May be OK for your use, but just so you know.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2020
I've used a small 2 stage charger to maintain the batteries, with the RV shore power off, no ill battery effects. Turn the shore power on/off when needed.

If the RV charger is the problem then can it be turned off, perhaps with a RV CB?

I presently have no storage power and installed full disconnect switches for each bank. The RV comes home once a month for a 24hr charge.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2020
3 year old batteries can fail. Load test them to eliminate that problem. Use a voltmeter to check and report battery voltages.

Research and find out what charger you have.
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Dec 30, 2020
theoldwizard1 wrote:
IMHO, lead acid battery should NOT be left on any kind of "maintainer" 24/7 weeks on end. You are better of using an old fashion mechanical "lamp timer" and limiting the charging time to 4-6 hours/day.

what are my options in this case? since the charging system is built in? disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? for few hours every week?
and if I buy a 3 or 4 stages smart charger that means I have to disconnect the house batteries from the shore power to charge them, then when I connect them back, turn on the shore power only few hours every day? I do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it right
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2020
Sir Traveller wrote:
... then I noticed that small leak again… the panel light indicators ( with the 4 dot lights ) show the batteries are fully charged so I ruled out the issues with charging, also cannot be too much distilled water since I haven’t added any since March… the leak seems very light / small, barely wet area on the top next to the caps…

If it is not external water, then you are ove filling the cells or the charging system is over charging and that is condensation from the acid that has boiled out.

Quick check. Mix up some baking soda and water. Leave the caps on but use a brush to apply the mixture. If it bubbles, it is acid. Clean the battery completely and rinse well with fresh water.

IMHO, lead acid battery should NOT be left on any kind of "maintainer" 24/7 weeks on end. You are better of using an old fashion mechanical "lamp timer" and limiting the charging time to 4-6 hours/day.
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Dec 30, 2020
CA Traveler wrote:
The water level should be just below the split ring which is about 1" or so below the top. Did you over fill?

Discharged batteries fail quicker. Since one's been replaced have the other battery checked at a battery shop or auto store, usually free.

Buy a digital voltmeter so that you can check the battery voltage and really know what is happening. Even the $10 Harbor Freight one should be OK. Read about battery charging voltage for bulk, absorb and float.

Your battery lights are often referred to as idiot lights. Their main purpose is for the salesman to point out what a wonderful monitor the RV has. What model battery charger do you have? Some are rather poor at charging batteries. A good 3 stage battery charger will charge a discharged battery at about 14.4V for bulk and then taper the amps for absorb and then lower the voltage to 13.4V for float.

I thought of the overfill possibility but ruled it our since I have not filled the batteries since March, and I never filled them close to the split anyway

the battery I replaced was the Chassis battery... the two deep-cycle batteries were both installed 3 years ago

I do not know what model charger the 2003 F-53 has

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