Forum Discussion

Professional's avatar
Professional
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017

Overcharged battery

Looking for advice and assistance. I recently purchased a 2001 Coleman bay side elite pop up camper. Last month we used it for a 3 day weekend and on the second day we started to smell what can only be described as sewage. When we packed up to leave I found one of the caps from the battery had come off. Since the battery was in the camper when we got it I assumed it was just bad and the smell was due to the missing cap. I bought a new battery and put it in before another outing. Last weekend the same thing happened with the new battery. Second day we smelled sewage. I checked the battery and the caps were fine but acid was leaking from them. I assume this is an overcharging issue when I'm plugged in at the campground. Any insight into this issue?
Folding Trailers
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 11, 2017
    What you are smelling may be hydrogen sulfide gas. Get a volt meter and start checking the charging voltage.

    Do you know what make and model the converter is?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 11, 2017
    Bet you have a WFCO or Magnetek single stage converter.....it is overcharging battery

    Post brand/model for good 3 stage replacement.....most are direct replacement
  • Earl_E's avatar
    Earl_E
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2017
    I have no idea about brands or types but it is pretty clear you have a converter that is not shutting down once the battery is charged. You better look for a new converter.
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2017
    Your battery SHOULD NOT be inside the camper. It needs to be in a air tight cabinet that is vented to the out side, or mounted on the tongue. When a battery out gases from charging, which is normal, the gas is very explosive and can be lethal if inhaled.
  • rrupert's avatar
    rrupert
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2017
    eHoefler wrote:
    Your battery SHOULD NOT be inside the camper. It needs to be in a air tight cabinet that is vented to the out side, or mounted on the tongue. When a battery out gases from charging, which is normal, the gas is very explosive and can be lethal if inhaled.


    I agree, the battery needs to be in a battery box mounted on the place provided on the tongue. I'm assuming that someone move the battery into the storage trunk which seems like a good idea, but it's not.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 11, 2017
    rrupert wrote:
    eHoefler wrote:
    Your battery SHOULD NOT be inside the camper. It needs to be in a air tight cabinet that is vented to the out side, or mounted on the tongue. When a battery out gases from charging, which is normal, the gas is very explosive and can be lethal if inhaled.


    I agree, the battery needs to be in a battery box mounted on the place provided on the tongue. I'm assuming that someone move the battery into the storage trunk which seems like a good idea, but it's not.


    Sorry gang....think you are 'reading into' post

    OP stated
    Since the battery was in the camper when we got it I assumed it was just bad and the smell was due to the missing cap.

    As in...battery came with the RV
    NOT 'in' as inside RV

    Popup trailer with single propane cylinder and one battery on tongue
  • Professional's avatar
    Professional
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    Yeah sorry if that was confusing, battery is in the battery box mounted on the tongue. I will check the model of the converter next time I open the camper to test the furnace. Will probably be a couple weeks. However it sounds like my converter is defective and needs replaced. Is that right?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 12, 2017
    Professional wrote:
    Yeah sorry if that was confusing, battery is in the battery box mounted on the tongue. I will check the model of the converter next time I open the camper to test the furnace. Will probably be a couple weeks. However it sounds like my converter is defective and needs replaced. Is that right?


    Correct.....

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