Eggy smell and warm battery.

[Boringfrog]

For the 1st time in 12 years of Motorhome ownership I've just had a leisure battery go bad. I have 3 leisure batteries and one feels warm where the others are cold, I've took the fuse out of the solar controller and the onboard ammeter has dropped straight down to 12V. Is it Ok to leave the duff battery connected until I get back home tomorrow or is it safer to remove?

 

[Fletton]

From what I've read on here about warm venting batteries... I'd take it out of the loop asap ?

Edit unless everything hab wise is isolated.. i.e deffo no charge going to battery bank.. alternator?

 

[Two on Tour]

I agree with Fletton, if you can smell it then it aint good for your health.

 

[ambulancekidd]

I agree with the other folks, disconnect that particular battery.
I doubt if you have a charging problem or the other batteries wouldn't be happy.

 

[Pausim]

Hydrogen Sulphide gas is poisonous, corrosive and flammable. Don’t take any chances, the nasty rotten egg smell is the least of the problems.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Servo]

As above but let it stop gassing first and avoid any sparks.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Disconnect it because the other two batteries may be discharging into it. You can get £8 at the local scrap yard for it when you get home ?

 

[yodeli]

Just had it with my car and deffo ALTERNATOR over charging! Mine was charging up to 18v
Dangerous! It can explode so .... off to the garage the safer way you can . Mine has gone on a trailer!!!

 

[Boringfrog]

Now disconnected, waiting for it to cool a little before moving, reconnected solar and other 2 batteries are charging at just under 13V. Thanks for the support. Frog.

 

[Gerby]

As previously said, eggy smell is Sulphur based and almost certainly Hydrogen Sulphide.

Keep it well ventilated as the gas will collect and is explosive (explosive range starts around 4 1/2 percent in air if I recall correctly) I have seen the result of this and whilst impressive it certainly isn't something you would want to experience first hand especially in a motor home.

EDIT:- just checked my old books and explosive range starts at 3.9%

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[simsy56]

As a warning,

Years ago I had a cheap car and the battery was smelling, tried to start it one day and it exploded. All there was left was the leads with the terminal posts attached, and it put a 'dome' shape in the bonnet.

Beware of explosions.

Craig