Our 2 12 Volt batteries were stolen (off the tongue of our trailer which is parked next to our house) this week. I am very disappointed, but I need to move forward so I am trying to decide what to replace them with.The wires were all cut by the thief (thieves) so I am going to have to replace some wiring as well as the batteries. Since I am starting from scratch on the batteries should I do something entirely different from what we had?Do we buy two new 12 Volt batteries, two 6 Volt, four 6 volt, something else?Do we find a way to place the batteries in our pass-through storage to keep them safer or are there off-gassing issues with having them "inside" the trailer?I know there are a lot of people here who have tried a lot with batteries so I am open to ideas (and some opinions).

Hi,I'm sorry for your loss.You can't prevent theft but you can slow the thieves down.Consider using AGM chemistry. The bank should still have an emergency vent to the great outdoors but it would be ok to have them inside a compartment.

There are off-gassing issues. If you put them inside, they would need to be in a sealed compartment or battery box that is independently ventilated. Fastest and easiest fix would another pair of 12 volt batteries. In addition to the straps, maybe you could add some chain and padlock. A bicycle cable lock, would only slow them down, just a bit. Best security would be to remove them when not in use.

This is one option, but is fairly expensive.Or as pianotuna suggested,AGM. By the time you buy new lead acid batteries & a Torklift system, you could have gotten some good AGM's. Depending on the height of your access doors,enclosing them in your pass through by using a "sliding" tray would make for easy access.TORKLIFT

Just a thought.Most RV deep cycle batteries have both a "post and wing nut" attachment for the wires. If you use the wing nut fasteners, I would cut the post off at the base, just lead and it is soft. That way if the thief wants them for a car, they would be uses to them. Unless it is someone wanting them for another RV, in which case they would be easy to identify if they show up, as no post on battery.

handye9 wrote:There are off-gassing issues. If you put them inside, they would need to be in a sealed compartment or battery box that is independently ventilated. Fastest and easiest fix would another pair of 12 volt batteries. In addition to the straps, maybe you could add some chain and padlock. A bicycle cable lock, would only slow them down, just a bit. Best security would be to remove them when not in use.I agree with pianotuna on installing AGMs inside. It is safe. I have never heard of any AGMs needing to be in a sealed/vented compartment in an RV. I have had my AGMs inside under the dinette seat for 3 years with my TT. I switched to AGMs in Jan 2009.HTH;John

Batteries Stolen...Now What? | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

full_mosey
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
handye9 wrote:
There are off-gassing issues. If you put them inside, they would need to be in a sealed compartment or battery box that is independently ventilated. Fastest and easiest fix would another pair of 12 volt batteries.

In addition to the straps, maybe you could add some chain and padlock. A bicycle cable lock, would only slow them down, just a bit. Best security would be to remove them when not in use.

I agree with pianotuna on installing AGMs inside. It is safe. I have never heard of any AGMs needing to be in a sealed/vented compartment in an RV.

I have had my AGMs inside under the dinette seat for 3 years with my TT. I switched to AGMs in Jan 2009.

HTH;
John
Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2014
Just a thought.
Most RV deep cycle batteries have both a "post and wing nut" attachment for the wires. If you use the wing nut fasteners, I would cut the post off at the base, just lead and it is soft. That way if the thief wants them for a car, they would be uses to them. Unless it is someone wanting them for another RV, in which case they would be easy to identify if they show up, as no post on battery.
Dakota98
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
This is one option, but is fairly expensive.

Or as pianotuna suggested,AGM. By the time you buy new lead acid batteries & a Torklift system, you could have gotten some good AGM's. Depending on the height of your access doors,enclosing them in your pass through by using a "sliding" tray would make for easy access.

TORKLIFT
handye9
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2014
There are off-gassing issues. If you put them inside, they would need to be in a sealed compartment or battery box that is independently ventilated. Fastest and easiest fix would another pair of 12 volt batteries.

In addition to the straps, maybe you could add some chain and padlock. A bicycle cable lock, would only slow them down, just a bit. Best security would be to remove them when not in use.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 14, 2014
Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

You can't prevent theft but you can slow the thieves down.

Consider using AGM chemistry. The bank should still have an emergency vent to the great outdoors but it would be ok to have them inside a compartment.

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Batteries Stolen...Now What?

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