Battery problem, I think! (1 Viewer)

Billy23

Free Member
Feb 10, 2012
1,610
2,984
On a planet...far, ....far away.
Funster No
19,772
MH
C Class
Exp
On and off 1995
I am on tour and have arrived in Oban, I have a Rimor 2001 on a transit chassis.

Have started to get a smell in side like bad eggs, I think that I have traced it to my leisure battery.

The battery looks OK as far as I can see, but seems to smell badly. Has anybody got an idea as to the step I have to take to solve problem, I guess I have to buy a new battery but thought I would ask in forum before I do.

If I have to buy new, can I ( until I can find a replacement) disconnect and dump the battery, or must I leave connected?

Oh! I have a small solar panel that I guess charges this battery.

I hope that I don't sound to dim, but I know nuffin about electric.

Thank for any advice.:thumb:
 

rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
^^^ Agreed! Disconnect NOW!

Open doors and windows - especially roof apetures if you have them, (heki is good) and ventilate. Hydrogen is flammable - very flammable, so avoid lighting stuff until cleared.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

gozomike

Funster Life Member
LIFE MEMBER
Mar 16, 2010
1,001
863
Warwickshire - sometimes - but not often
Funster No
10,652
MH
Wildax Constellation
Exp
Since August 2008
It could be that the battery is being overcharged, I would get the system fully checked out before changing the battery. As has been said the fumes will not do you any good and could be dangerous. Ventilate the van DO NOT LIGHT ANY GAS or anything else.
 
OP
OP
Billy23

Billy23

Free Member
Feb 10, 2012
1,610
2,984
On a planet...far, ....far away.
Funster No
19,772
MH
C Class
Exp
On and off 1995
It could be that the battery is being overcharged, I would get the system fully checked out before changing the battery. As has been said the fumes will not do you any good and could be dangerous. Ventilate the van DO NOT LIGHT ANY GAS or anything else.

I have taken all of the above posts advice and disconnected the battery and placed it outside, opened all windows to clear smell, thanks to you guys.:Smile:

Gozomike, I did notice on my solar control panel ( just before I disconnected) that it said something about " over charge " so I guess it might be the solar panel overcharging the battery ( is this possible ?). When I removed the battery it was very warm, is it possible to put battery back after I disconnect the solar panel charging?

:thumb: thank again:Smile:
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
as already posted....disconnect the battery BUT.....

before you do unplug any hookup lead and turn off all 12v equipment including the solar panel, pulling out the all fuses if necessary, and turn off your fridge if on gas.

the Hydrogen gas produced is highly flammable and even a small spark when disconnecting a battery lead can ignite it.

if the battery should explode, and they explode violently, there is a real chance you will be covered in Sulphuric acid....and you really dont want that.

the rotten egg smell is boiling Sulphuric acid.

if you are on hookup there is usually no need for a battery as your charger should also be a power supply, but the battery positive lead needs insulating.....wrap the end in tape or tape a thick plastic bag over it.

remove and place the battery away from any ignition source....fag ends etc.

dont attempt to salvage/charge the battery.....its had it.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
I have taken all of the above posts advice and disconnected the battery and placed it outside, opened all windows to clear smell, thanks to you guys.:Smile:

Gozomike, I did notice on my solar control panel ( just before I disconnected) that it said something about " over charge " so I guess it might be the solar panel overcharging the battery ( is this possible ?). When I removed the battery it was very warm, is it possible to put battery back after I disconnect the solar panel charging?

:thumb: thank again:Smile:
NO...on no account try to use the battery....it probably has an internal fault and will never be usable.
once they smell of eggs they have reached the end of their life.
 

Daifuse

Free Member
Feb 20, 2013
183
310
Milford Haven
Funster No
24,764
MH
c class
Exp
Since 2011
Pulling fuses on a live circuit (solar panel ?) can cause a spark as can switching things off - just disconnect the hookup and cover the solar panels to stop them producing any charge. THEN disconnect the battery.
 
OP
OP
Billy23

Billy23

Free Member
Feb 10, 2012
1,610
2,984
On a planet...far, ....far away.
Funster No
19,772
MH
C Class
Exp
On and off 1995
Thank you once again gentlemen for your advice. Just one more question, do you think that the solar panel is able to overcharge the battery?

I understand that the engine charges the leisure battery, so I am wondering if I actually need the solar panel and could just disconnect it.

I would appreciate your thoughts.:thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Pulling fuses on a live circuit (solar panel ?) can cause a spark as can switching things off - just disconnect the hookup and cover the solar panels to stop them producing any charge. THEN disconnect the battery.
I both agree and disagree.

fuses may spark when pulled but fuses will be away from the battery and pulling them will be far safer than disconnecting a live wire connected to the battery, the source of the hydrogen gas, while its under load.

a wire under load will almost certainly spark when disconnected

hydrogen will explode if the hydrogen/oxygen mix is in the correct proportions....and thats much more likely next to the battery rather than a couple of metres away where the hydrogen content will have been diluted by free air
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Thank you once again gentlemen for your advice. Just one more question, do you think that the solar panel is able to overcharge the battery?

I understand that the engine charges the leisure battery, so I am wondering if I actually need the solar panel and could just disconnect it.

I would appreciate your thoughts.:thumb:

the panel itself wont over charge...but if the controller is faulty that could.

what your panel could have meant was the battery itself is overcharged, not that the panel is overcharging it.
 

icantremember

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 2, 2010
8,318
17,527
Near to Watton in Norfolk
Funster No
13,512
MH
Hymer T-SL668
Exp
since 2005
The Good News......

........is that you will still get £10 - £15 at the scrap yard for the old battery:thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

gozomike

Funster Life Member
LIFE MEMBER
Mar 16, 2010
1,001
863
Warwickshire - sometimes - but not often
Funster No
10,652
MH
Wildax Constellation
Exp
Since August 2008
As the battery is now disconnected that is the best way to leave it until the system is fully checked out. As has been said the battery is proberbly knackered anyway.

I came across a simular case a few weeks ago and when I spoke with the well known supplier of the Solar panel and controller he said the controller was dual voltage 12/24. It defaulted to 24v and the way to set it was to connect the controller to the battery so it could sense the voltage and then connect the panel. This does not sound very clever to me as if the battery was disconnected and then reconnected the controller would default to 24 volt!!!!

Best get the whole system checked out as there must be some fault in the system.
If it is that type of controller throw it as far away as you can.
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Not thought about that, but this week I got £40 for 3 batteries and a few old fishing weights::bigsmile:

I took 26 x 2volt 110ah lead acid batteries a while ago.

each weighed around 22kg...thought i was rich :RollEyes:

scrappy refused them as they are emergency lighting backup batteries and contain mercury or something like and are classed as hazardous waste.

how the hell i get rid is (legally) beyond me :Sad:
 

icantremember

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 2, 2010
8,318
17,527
Near to Watton in Norfolk
Funster No
13,512
MH
Hymer T-SL668
Exp
since 2005
I took 26 x 2volt 110ah lead acid batteries a while ago.

each weighed around 22kg...thought i was rich :RollEyes:

scrappy refused them as they are emergency lighting backup batteries and contain mercury or something like and are classed as hazardous waste.

how the hell i get rid is (legally) beyond me :Sad:

That's real a bummer ,,, I expect there must be specialist recyclers who will take them but most likely will charge you for the privilege :Doh:
 
Jan 28, 2008
10,104
18,259
Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
Funster No
1,353
MH
Renalt burstner
Exp
7 years campers before that
I took 26 x 2volt 110ah lead acid batteries a while ago.

each weighed around 22kg...thought i was rich :RollEyes:

scrappy refused them as they are emergency lighting backup batteries and contain mercury or something like and are classed as hazardous waste.

how the hell i get rid is (legally) beyond me :Sad:

did you get them legally?by transporting them to the scrapyard you have broken the law unless you are the holder of a waste licence

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
did you get them legally?by transporting them to the scrapyard you have broken the law unless you are the holder of a waste licence

Ooops...i inadvertently broke transport laws.

at the time i didnt know they were hazardous waste....only when i got to the yard.

and yes, acquired legally from work.

i do have a legal plan to dispose of them which involves an angle grinder and hacksaw.
wont get as much but better than nowt.

still leaves the problem of the acid though :Doh:
 

cmcardle75

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 8, 2012
2,666
3,446
Reading
Funster No
21,386
MH
Riot Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2012
That's real a bummer ,,, I expect there must be specialist recyclers who will take them but most likely will charge you for the privilege :Doh:

Local tip will likely take them.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top