New TT battery box full of water

[limbery]

Opened up my plastic battery box on my 2 month old TT, and found it was full of water...there are a couple of ventilation slots on the tp so I guess it got in there.... I was worried something could short out or something? I drilled a half doz. holes in the bottom of the box so water will drain out.... Is this unusual? Why wouldn't the box have some sort of drainage? It sits right behind my propane tanks.

[mrkoje]

I just removed my batteries today and... the boxes were full of water! I'm not sure how long these batteries have been partially submerged. Now I can here water inside the batteries sloshing around. That can't be good right? Any ideas if these batteries are salvageable?

[All58Parks]

I drilled mine as well.

[TS14fansmoke]

Thanks to this discussion,went and checked our battery and it was sitting in a box full of water.I drilled those holes in the box(my first time using my husband's drill,yeah me!)So thanks for this.

[Kalait]

Just stopped by the RV place nearby and was told they place batteries in a box which has been secured by self-tapping screws in the corners, this allows water to drain somewhat.

[Kalait]

My battery box had water in it as well, I am wondering how better to tie the battery down. While I have never seen a battery box on any automobile I have owned, the batter is fastened down more securely than a leather belt around the battery box. Any suggestions?

[WyoTraveler]

Owned lots of cars& trucks over the years. Never saw one with a battery box. If the batteries leaked they leaked on the ground or on metal in engine compartment. I wouldn't hesitate drilling hole in the bottom of a battery box to keep standing water from freezing and damaging the battery. I would never never seal the vent holes on the top & create a bomb.

[Beachums]

limbery wrote:
I'm hesitant to seal the vents at the top though, since they're there to vent gases right?

I can only speak from theory as I do not have experience in this exact application. I learned in school that hydrogen (a by-product of batteries) is lighter than air. They used it in the Hindenburg. I also learned that hydrogen is very flammable. The Hindenburg blew up. Moreover I remember hearing that a single spark was the likely culprit that lead to the fire in the Hindenburg. Batteries are known to arc and throw sparks as well.

So as long as you don't name your TT The Hindenburg, you should be fine....

I personally wouldn't plug my vent holes.

But someone who may have more real world rv experience than me, may have a good reason to plug them.

[star_2008]

I put a new box on my Kodiak it has side ports so the cable going the back not the top and I use wing nuts so I take the negative terminals off to save my agm battery

[DaveInPickering]

Drill a couple of holes in the bottom of the box. Leave the vents alone.

[opnspaces]

I drilled holes in mine also.

I sealed the top vents, don't really worry about hydrogen gas.

[limbery]

I'm hesitant to seal the vents at the top though, since they're there to vent gases right?

[gmw_photos]

yep, my camper came with a AGM "marine-starting" battery. Had about two inches of water in the battery box when I brought it home new. I did the same thing.....pulled the battery, drilled a couple of drain holes and problem solved.

[ol__yeller]

path1 wrote:
First RV, water in box, I drilled holes.

Second RV many years later, water in box, Yep, that will happen. What is it going to hurt?

If it surrounds the battery and freezes, it could crack the plactic case of the battery.

[time2roll]

Drill a hole or two. BTW remove the battery before you drill :r And best to have the hole away from the metal frame.

[westend]

*duped*