2010 Springdale 26BHS: When I plug into shore power (30amp) I wake up the next morning to overheated batteries that are smoking and putting out that wonderful smell. Here is some history: years ago I drove away from the house to leave and forgot to unplug my shore power pulling the cord out from the back of the trailer. I was able to reinstall the 3 wire cord to the back of the trailer (not directly connected to the converter because it is in the center of the trailer and the cord just hooks to a junction box in the rear). I am not sure if this is related to my battery problem or not. The trailer works fine if I disconnect the batteries when I am plugged into shore power but that is getting old. Do you think I hooked up the wires incorrectly or has my converter gone bad?Thanks for any help!

While it is possible that may have hooked up the wires wrong (e.g. by swapping the hot and neutral or some such), that could not be the source of this problem. Either the converter is putting out too high of a voltage, or there was something wrong with the battery such as a shorted cell or lack of electrolyte. (Even if the batteries were in OK shape before, they are certainly not better off for the treatment they've received!)

That is what I thought. I have been through several batteries so I do not think the battery is the issue. I guess its time to replace the converter..... Thank you.

Ir they are smoking, I bet they aren't working very good while dry camping over night either. It seems you would tend to your batteries, test them or maintenance them.And if you don't have a voltmeter, get one.What does the battery meter read when they are connected,....does it show over chargimg. Those meters are good for something.

That's why they are in a vented storage area!Glad you are safe.

Since no one mentioned, I must ask, you did check the water level in the batteries, didn’t you? Smoking batteries can be very dangerous. Fire is the next step.....

Smoking Batteries | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2018
Since no one mentioned, I must ask, you did check the water level in the batteries, didn’t you? Smoking batteries can be very dangerous. Fire is the next step.....
WNYBob
Explorer
Mar 18, 2018
That's why they are in a vented storage area!

Glad you are safe.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Mar 18, 2018
Ir they are smoking, I bet they aren't working very good while dry camping over night either. It seems you would tend to your batteries, test them or maintenance them.
And if you don't have a voltmeter, get one.
What does the battery meter read when they are connected,....does it show over chargimg. Those meters are good for something.
Tocwby
Explorer
Mar 18, 2018
That is what I thought. I have been through several batteries so I do not think the battery is the issue. I guess its time to replace the converter..... Thank you.
DrewE
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2018
While it is possible that may have hooked up the wires wrong (e.g. by swapping the hot and neutral or some such), that could not be the source of this problem. Either the converter is putting out too high of a voltage, or there was something wrong with the battery such as a shorted cell or lack of electrolyte. (Even if the batteries were in OK shape before, they are certainly not better off for the treatment they've received!)

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Smoking Batteries

25 Replies

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