water in battery box

[riven1950]

I am getting ready to add a cutoff to my battery. Pulled off the cover on my battery box and the box was almost full of water.

I am going to pull the battery and drill some small holes in the bottom of the box which should drain any future water.

Is there any reason not to drill drain holes in the battery box? ( on front of TT, Apex 249rbs )

Seems they should come with drains. Can't figure how that much water got in. Maybe I did not get the lid down properly last time. It is stuffed under the cap and not easy to get to.

[mobeewan]

I have covered all 4 of my battery boxes vent holes with pieces of Eternabond. During periods of heavy rain enough rain water can get in through the vents on top to fill the box up. There is plenty of gap between the box and lid for venting. I got tired of dumping mine after Noreasters.

No need drilling holes. You'll just get acid on the trailer tongue.

[cbshoestring]

time2roll wrote:
Remove the battery before you drill.

[Lynnmor]

riven1950 wrote:
Lynnmor, You are saying to close up the vents on top? The openings for the wiring are pretty big and protected from rain water. Would those holes provide enough venting?

There should be plenty of venting, I always plug the vents.

[Flapper]

You might want to drop a pinch of baking soda into the water. If it foams, it's not just water, but has some amount of battery acid in it.....meaning somehow your batteries are losing electrolyte.

[wa8yxm]

downtheroad wrote:
I have always drilled holes in my battery boxes. ...4 corners and one in the middle.

I will second that.. Do the same thing myself.

[riven1950]

Lynnmor, You are saying to close up the vents on top? The openings for the wiring are pretty big and protected from rain water. Would those holes provide enough venting?

[Lynnmor]

Be sure to drill the holes well away from the frame below to help prevent rust. For many years now the RV dealers have been installing the wrong battery boxes. The type with no holes in the bottom and vents in the top are for marine use. The problem got so bad that the box manufacturers discontinued the proper boxes. Be sure to seal the top vents and see that there is space around the cables for venting.

[riven1950]

I think the battery is ok. I plan on pulling it, checking the water level and giving it a good charge while installing the cut off switch.

Good point about what is under it that the water can drain onto. My spare is under the tongue so I will check that.

[TurnThePage]

I once had a variety of electrical problems inside the trailer that ended up being water in the battery box that had frozen and expanded up over the top of the batteries. The batteries themselves were NOT frozen.

[time2roll]

Remove the battery before you drill.

[ScottG]

The only time I wouldn't drill drain holes is if the water was able to come in contact with something important and/or paint you had to be concerned about corrosion.
A buddy ended up with some terrible damage to the side of his truck when it leaded out of his TC.

[colliehauler]

I always drill some drain holes in the corners.

[RoyB]

While you are at it better check your fluids in the battery. This may be where the water came from. This could be the result of a failed battery...

I too have drilled holes in the bottom of my my battery bank box...

Roy Ken

[Trackrig]

I drilled holes in mine and no more water. Pay attention to where you drill or the battery bottom may seal the holes. If the bottom has ridges, drill in the lower "trauffs", not the tops of the ridges where the battery will rest.

I assumed my water was coming from wheel spray when it rained.

Bill