Recently had the MH on shore power and noticed a bad smell and battery not holding charge. Checked and added water and plugged it in again...same issue. I'm still a newbie, so any info is welcome.

your battery needs water checked monthly, you,ve most likely burnt it up, time for a new one, clean all post charge new battery before you install. after you install check volts your converter is putting out.

When I first got my OFF-ROAD POPUP in 2008 I immediately added three more batteries to it giving me a total of four GP24 Interstate Batteries on the tongue frame.I was still running my 30AMP Single Stage ELIXIR Converter/charger which only puts out a single 13.6VDC. It wasn't three weeks later when I also started smelling rotten egg smell and tracked it down to one of the Interstate batteries. It was also getting warm to hot.I measured the DC VOLTAGE coming from the converter and it was holding 13.6VDC when on SHORE POWER.I removed the the bad Battery from the bank and it owuld only produce around 4-5VDC. The fluids had been all boiled out and two of the internal cells had shorted out to each other. This battery was beyond repair and was only purchased just a few weeks back.After seeing all of this I decided right away I needed an UPDATED CONVERTER/CHARGER before using my ELIXIR as a battery charger. Everyone I talked to told me I needed to get a smart mode converter/charger which uses multi-DC Charging voltages on its output. This is called a smart mode converter/charger. I replaced the ELIXIR with a WFCO Series 8900 Power Distribnutio Center which had a WF8945 Converter/charger board inside it.After changing everything out I started using the WF8945 as my converter/charger only to find out it would never go into its smart mode charging voltages which after reading about that I found this was a common flaw with the WF8900 series converter. I ened up keeping my WF8945 converter installed in the WFCO 8900 series Power Distribution Panel since it was brand new and would use it as a back-up unit. I then purchased a Progressive Dynamic PD-9260C 60AMP Converter/Charger which I installed stand alone very close to the battery bank.This unit charges my remaining three GP24 Batteries in a quick three hour time frame using the smart mode charging techniques and then falls back to its 13.6VDC Normal mode and will drop to a FLOAT Mode of 13.2VDC when no current is being demanded. The 13,2VDC mode will not boil out battery fluids is left on for long periods of time unlike what 13.6VDC will do.This is still working today keeping my three GP24 2008 Interstate batteries charged up to their best performance.Batteries are very important to me especially since I use them camping off the power grids alot. I monitor them on a frequent basis. I suspect your 1997 RV has suffered the same results...You will probably need to replace your shorted deep cycle battery but more importantly you also need to replace the converter/charger unit with a modern smart mode unit which will almost take care of your battery automatically. I would still inspect the battery on a schedule basis... This could be a good time to install at least two batteries when you upgrade the converter/charger if you find out it is a single mode 13.6VDC Output model.You can post the model number on here if you like. We can tell you what you have...Just my comments here on what happened to me...Roy Ken

Bad battery - maybe short which would make battery boil over, maybe neglect from not providing periodic water, maybe bad converter which went bonkers and put out too many volts (low probability).Your going to need a new battery - should also test your converter to make sure it's putting out correct voltage.Do you know your which model converter you have? Old fashion converters tend to put out constant voltage which tend to deplete battery water requiring constant replenishment - newer "smart" converters don't deplete battery water very much and are considered wise investment by many RVers as they don't cost much, easy to install, and save batteries.Hope this helps.

Where do I find the converter? (Told you I was a newbie!)

Battery not holding charge and smells like rotten eggs

12 Replies

wbwood
Explorer
Jan 22, 2015
When you add water (distilled water only), make sure you do not over fill it.. if you do, then it can boil over also. Water should jsut be covering the plates...Not to the top of the hole.
ksg5000
Explorer
Jan 22, 2015
chefdc1 wrote:
Yeah, I was looking in all the wrong places! it is a Magnatek Power Plus 6345.

Considering upgrading Best Converters is a good place to start the process. Lots of alternatives .. many switch to Progressive Dynamics 9200 series converters.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2015
When mine smelled like rotten eggs i.e. sulphur smell.

It was the CONVERTOR cooking the battery!!

My Convertor had a blown capacitor and couldn't regulate itself and was raging out of control frying the battery. Had to replace the convertor and of course a new battery.

On some MH's it is located along side the bed. There is your fuse panel, convertor and fan.

Get a reading on what it is putting out. Leave the tester on a good length of time to see if it is climbing past what is called for.

If you can't do it shut your convertor down and disconnect that battery asap. Go up to the CG office and ask them for the number of their local Mobile RV Repair guy. They carry everything you will need on board or get it within the hour and very reasonable prices while you sit back and have a cold one and chill out. Good Luck
chefdc1
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Yeah, I was looking in all the wrong places! it is a Magnatek Power Plus 6345.
chefdc1
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Wait, I'm watching a video...starting to have a clue!
chefdc1
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Cables go into wall behind drivers seat...cant follow them after that. I think I've looked everywhere.Is there a hiding spot I do not know about or am I blind? (1997 Class C Damon Hornet, Ford E350).
CANAMKID
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Dave,
Follow the batt. cables, this should lead you to the converter/charger.
Steve
CANAMKID
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
X2 On what Roy Ken said.
chefdc1
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Where do I find the converter? (Told you I was a newbie!)
ksg5000
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
Bad battery - maybe short which would make battery boil over, maybe neglect from not providing periodic water, maybe bad converter which went bonkers and put out too many volts (low probability).

Your going to need a new battery - should also test your converter to make sure it's putting out correct voltage.

Do you know your which model converter you have? Old fashion converters tend to put out constant voltage which tend to deplete battery water requiring constant replenishment - newer "smart" converters don't deplete battery water very much and are considered wise investment by many RVers as they don't cost much, easy to install, and save batteries.

Hope this helps.