Smoking Batteries

[Tocwby]

2010 Springdale 26BHS: When I plug into shore power (30amp) I wake up the next morning to overheated batteries that are smoking and putting out that wonderful smell.

Here is some history: years ago I drove away from the house to leave and forgot to unplug my shore power pulling the cord out from the back of the trailer. I was able to reinstall the 3 wire cord to the back of the trailer (not directly connected to the converter because it is in the center of the trailer and the cord just hooks to a junction box in the rear).

I am not sure if this is related to my battery problem or not. The trailer works fine if I disconnect the batteries when I am plugged into shore power but that is getting old. Do you think I hooked up the wires incorrectly or has my converter gone bad?

Thanks for any help!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

How adept at troubleshooting and what kind of testers do you own?

[DutchmenSport]

Simple test? Take the battery off the camper. Put it in the garage (or somewhere else), and put a portable charger on it that will shut off once the battery is fully charged. If no smoke, 1) you know the battery is still good. Let it sit for a couple days to see if it still holds a charge. If OK, then 2) you know the system in your camper is over charging and your battery is not damaged. 3) take appropriate action regardless of the outcome.

[Dave_H_M]

Listen to the CA man.

[profdant139]

Electricians sometimes call this the "magic smoke." As in, "This thing was working fine till I somehow let the magic smoke come out. That's why it stopped working."

Hang in there!

[CA_Traveler]

Tocwby wrote:
That is what I thought. I have been through several batteries so I do not think the battery is the issue. I guess its time to replace the converter..... Thank you.

Stop shotgunning and guessing at the issues.

1. Plug the common household analyzer and find out if the wiring is correct.

2. With a voltmeter check the AC voltage and DC voltage when plugged in. What are they? Both checks can be dangerous so get help.

3. Load test the batteries as they are compromised to find out how much.

DO NOT LEAVE THE RIG PLUGGED IN UNTIL YOU FIND THE PROBLEM AS YOU ARE ON THE VERGE OF A FIRE!

With good batteries, wiring and GOOD charger leaving the batteries charging is the best option as the charger will maintain the battery float charge.

[myredracer]

What brand of converter? I'm guessing WFCO...

Our WFCO died in our 3rd season while on a long road trip - it tripped the breaker and wouldn't work anymore. It had not been functioning properly for some time as it killed a previous battery and we had thought it was just a bad battery. The 2nd battery wouldn't stay properly charged very long. WFCO converters have a reputation for not working correctly and short life.

Bestconverter.com is recommended by many RV-ers for converters. We bought a PDI drop-in replacement and switched to an AGM battery at the same time. (A WFCO isn't suitable for an AGM.) The PDI's are US-made and are well built.

BTW, you do know that smoking batteries is bad for your health? 🙂

[Ed_Gee]

Since no one mentioned, I must ask, you did check the water level in the batteries, didn’t you? Smoking batteries can be very dangerous. Fire is the next step.....

[WNYBob]

That's why they are in a vented storage area!

Glad you are safe.

[RJsfishin]

Ir they are smoking, I bet they aren't working very good while dry camping over night either. It seems you would tend to your batteries, test them or maintenance them.
And if you don't have a voltmeter, get one.
What does the battery meter read when they are connected,....does it show over chargimg. Those meters are good for something.

[Tocwby]

That is what I thought. I have been through several batteries so I do not think the battery is the issue. I guess its time to replace the converter..... Thank you.

[DrewE]

While it is possible that may have hooked up the wires wrong (e.g. by swapping the hot and neutral or some such), that could not be the source of this problem. Either the converter is putting out too high of a voltage, or there was something wrong with the battery such as a shorted cell or lack of electrolyte. (Even if the batteries were in OK shape before, they are certainly not better off for the treatment they've received!)