Forum Discussion

Rinehart's avatar
Rinehart
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014

Battery question

I have my 23 ft, 2002 Rockwood,TT backed into my driveway, plugged into the house electric, getting ready for an upcoming trip. Last night the Columbia Gas man knocked on my door, said he was trying to track down a report of a gas leak. After he and I walked around my camper, the only area where we could smell anything, we discovered my battery (under cover on the tounge of the camper, was boiling over and creating a sewage like smell. We unhooked the battery and moved it away from the camper. Nothing else seemed effected. The extension cord to the camper was not warm and the electric service to the camper and everything inside worked fine. What might cause this? I am hoping the battery, several years old, was just bad, but fear it is something more. Can anyone lend any ideas? I am just a few days from pulling out of town. Thanks. Larry
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2014
    Rinehart wrote:
    Where would I most likely find the converter? And, do I need a battery if I am camping at a FHU CG? Thanks.
    battery is required for your breakaway emergency brakes. Converter is part of your circuit breaker /load distribution center.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2014
    Your trailer must not have the SMART MODE CONVERTER/CHARGER unit installed.

    The converter/charger units that only puts out 13.6VDC are right on the edge of making the batteries boil over over time. If this is what you have you should be checking your battery fluids at least once every two weeks or even shorter time.

    If you have the smart mode converter/charger installed (PD4600 or PD9200 series) then the converter will take care of the boiling out problem for you automatically...

    My problem was I had the WFCO 8900 series smart mode converter/charger unit and it would never go into any smart mode charging. I replaced it with the PD9260C 60AMP unit as I have multiple batteries to keep charged. If you have one or two batteries I would go with the PD4645 converter/charger unit.

    If your battery has been boiled out it is probably history now and will need to be replaced.

    Roy Ken
  • Rinehart's avatar
    Rinehart
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2014
    Where would I most likely find the converter? And, do I need a battery if I am camping at a FHU CG? Thanks.
  • the_happiestcam's avatar
    the_happiestcam
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2014
    2002 trailer - more than likely does not have the charger that backs off when the battery is charged. It just keeps charging as if the battery is dead.
    Once you get your new battery, you either want to change the trailers converter or only charge the battery with an external charger. If you do the former, then you can plug it in and leave it plugged in all you want. If you do the latter, you will need to disconnect the battery when you have the trailer plugged in (including at a FHU CG site).
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2014
    sounds to me like any charging mechanism in your TT is faulty or inadequate and allows overcharging and boiling over.
    bumpy

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