Battery Question??

[abc40kids]

I keep my 5th wheel at my house hooked up to 50 amp whenever it’s not in use which unfortunately is more than not. I just got back off vacation, not in my camper and noticed white residue under the battery box and the top off the battery was little wet like the water leaked out.

First question is .... Do I have a bad battery?

Second question is there any need to have the battery hooked up when not in use? I do leave the frig on all the time and slides out. It stays parked under an RV garage. Thanks!

Just pulled the battery out looks like white powder I found under camper from vent hole came from the positive cable connection.

Sorry keep editing this but the water levels look gold, not to the top but normal and it has been crazy HOT!!!

[abc40kids]

Naturist, it’s a deep cycle battery purchased from Advance Auto about 2 years ago. I’m gonna call keystone tomorrow with the vin and get the coverter make and model.

[Weldon]

Put a disconnect switch on you battery. Have it off when not using the RV.

[abc40kids]

Where would I find the converter on a 2015 Keystone Montana Moutaineer?

[pianotuna]

leaving the fridge on, if an absorption model is fairly pricey.

What make and model of converter is in the RV?

[midnightsadie]

great info ,

[naturist]

Uh-Oh. Maybe.

Check the water levels in the battery. It is possible it boiled over, and if the levels are down, you may indeed need a new battery. As well, maybe, a new converter. If this has happened, be sure to rinse all those white deposits thoroughly to prevent corrosion.

It is possible for a bad converter to overcharge a battery, in the process heating it up until the acid boils. This, needless to say, kills the battery.

If you have a volt meter, slap it across the terminals while the converter is on to find out what voltage it is applying to the battery. Converters are supposed to apply about 14.5 volts when the battery is in need of recharging, and taper that off to a little over 13 volts to maintain a fully charge battery.

Disconnect the negative (ground) wire from the battery, and measure the voltage again across just the battery. It should be 12.7 or so if the battery is fully charged.

Under normal circumstances, you should be able to disconnect the ground wire from the battery to isolate it from the converter when you leave the rig plugged in while storing it. If you do, you should reconnect it for a few hours once a month to keep the battery in tip top shape. Whatever you do, you need to make sure that the battery acid levels are kept topped up using distilled water.

Could also be corrosion on the battery terminal(s). At any auto parts store you can buy for a couple bucks treated felt pads that prevent corrosion. They come as a red-green pair, with one color for the positive and the other the negative terminals. I'd recommend them.