Battery woes and solution

[dthurk]

I've encountered a situation that might be of interest to others here.  On several occasions, we've noticed our month old camper would not have any power on 12 volt.  We were fine on shore power, but nothing would work as soon as we unplugged.  This problem seemed to be intermittent.  I put our battery charger on the battery today, it showed an 80% charge in spite of being on 30 amp shore power here at home.  The battery should have been fully charged, and it should have operated the camper even at 80% capacity.  I charged the battery and hooked it back up to the camper, still no power.  I discovered about 2 inches of water laying in the bottom of the battery case from a rainstorm we had last night.  The water seeps in through the vents in the top of the case.  I removed the battery from the case to drain the water... and everything started working.  
 
 I drilled 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of the case in every well that exists in the case and siliconed shut the vents on the top.  The case top doesn't fit tightly by any means.  I don't think we'll have trouble from eliminating the vents.  
 
 I did not know that water in the battery case would short out the battery.  Hope this might help someone else sometime in a similar situation.

[Recumbentman]

I drilled out a couple of holes myself after noticing water pooling up in the box. A good point was brought up by someone stating to keep the holes clear of any braces below because if water does drain out, it could have mixed with the battery acid and then remove the finish of any metal parts.

[dthurk]

Apparently, I posted prematurely.  I'm still having the same problems.  I tested the battery with a SG tester.  It's showing 75% in 5 cells and 100% in one.  The battery should still be good.  Thinking back on it, I had the dealer install 2 new 12 volt outlets on one new circuit.  He had to pull the converter out of it's compartment.  Troubles seem to have started right about then.  Next step, I suppose, is to pull the converter again and see that all is well with it.  I have been in contact with the dealer, and things will eventually be sorted out.

[tlhdoc]

I just read your first post and was going to say that water in the box would not short out the battery, unless the case had a crack in it.  Good luck on finding the problem.  I am guessing that you have an intermittent short in your wiring.  When you move your wires it comes and goes.  

[dthurk]

I just read your first post and was going to say that water in the box would not short out the battery, unless the case had a crack in it.  Good luck on finding the problem.  I am guessing that you have an intermittent short in your wiring.  When you move your wires it comes and goes.  

Thanks.  I would strongly suspect it's in the converter area somewhere and was caused from pulling and replacing the converter.  I would also suspect it's in the wires and the converter is fine.  It was working superbly when we got it.  We only notice it, of course, when we're not plugged in, and we're usually plugged in, either at a campground or here at home.  Haven't had a chance to work on it yet with the new thoughts.  Maybe sometime over the weekend.

[tlhdoc]

I would think it has to be in the wiring between the converter and the battery.  Everything works on 12 volt through the converter when plugged in, so I would think it is before it gets to the converter.  Have someone shake the battery wires and someone watching the lights inside and see if they go off and on.  Good luck tracking down the bad wiring.

[mike4947]

Dave, I've got to agree about the location of the short. It's either in the added wiring or they pinched an existing wire when the R&R'd the converter.

 
BUT, your readings on the battery are NOT good. You really should charge it using an external charger and retake the SG readings. Any variation of over 5% between cells means there is a problem.

[dthurk]

Dave, I've got to agree about the location of the short. It's either in the added wiring or they pinched an existing wire when the R&R'd the converter.

 
BUT, your readings on the battery are NOT good. You really should charge it using an external charger and retake the SG readings. Any variation of over 5% between cells means there is a problem.

My SG tester isn't that accurate.  It's one of those cheapie units that has 4 balls in it.  Draw up some water and see what floats.  One ball falls in 5 of the cells, all four balls float in 1 cell.  I suppose that might indicate a possible problem.  How do you test individual cells more accurately?  If it is a bad battery, I might be looking at having the dealer replace it.  I'd most likely look to pay the extra money and get a group 27 or better in place of the group 24 we now have.

[dthurk]

Hopefully, our problems are solved.  Some time after I posted here the problem disappeared.  We had the camper back at the dealers for installation of a privacy curtain that the manufacturer forgot to put in.  I mentioned the problem and they looked everything over, couldn't find any problem.  Of course it was all working properly at the time.  Tough to discover a problem that isn't a problem.  On our way home from Toronto a few days ago, we turned on the water pump at a rest area and 12 volt went out again.  We immediately called the dealer and told them we'd stop by in an hour (they were directly in our path home).  When we got to the dealers, everything was working again.  They asked us to leave the camper.  I just picked it up yesterday...fixed.  Apparently, there's a wiring block under the street side front corner with 2 circuit breakers.  The wiring to both breakers was loose.  They tightened it up and double nutted the connections.  Warranty repair.    

Today I go looking for that wiring block.  I'm glad it was something this simple.  Thanks to all you who posted suggested solutions.  Loose wiring was the winner.

[wynot]

Regarding the drain water from the battery box, I had put (4) 1/4" holes in each of our two battery boxes years ago.  Doesn't matter whether there's acid in the water anyhow, our boxes move around enough to tear up the paint in the battery box bracket.  I wirebrush it down, prime it, paint it, and have to repeat each season.  So I wouldn't sweat worrying about the acid on the paint.
 
As it stands, I think I have washed this camper twice (not more than twice, if that many) since we have owned it (5 years)...  Afterall, I clean the areas where I put new bumper stickers!  

[tlhdoc]

Dave I am glad the problem is fixed.  Now you don't have to worry about your 12 volt system.

[dthurk]

Dave I am glad the problem is fixed.  Now you don't have to worry about your 12 volt system.

Dry camping, here we come!  How about Assateaugue Island on April 8?  

Going off topic here, I was considering Sampson State Park for Memorial Day weekend next year.  The reservation window will be coming up soon.  How about working in a COTOC trip to Sampson for Memorial Day?  It's a great SP, about half way up Seneca Lake on the East side, about a 20 minute drive from Watkins Glen.