Flat leisure battery giving off hydrogen (1 Viewer)

Apr 25, 2014
1,222
4,981
Lancaster
Funster No
31,133
MH
Overhead cab
Exp
8 years
We were driving our Swift 590 back from an engine service yesterday and the carbon monoxide alarm went off while we were driving. After stopping a couple of times and resetting it, it continued to go off. We concluded that either there was gas in the van or the detector needed new batteries or was faulty.

After a bit of thought it appears that the culprit is the leisure battery which has been on the blink for a while and is now flat. We intended renewing it on the habitation service this week. We read that a leisure battery, even a sealed one, can give off hydrogen if it is faulty or needs renewing, and this can set the carbon monoxide off. Hydrogen is highly flammable.

Good to know the carbon monoxide alarm alerted us to a problem.
 
Dec 10, 2013
3,419
11,953
South Staffs
Funster No
29,333
MH
Pilote P740GJ
Exp
Since 2013
We were driving our Swift 590 back from an engine service yesterday and the carbon monoxide alarm went off while we were driving. After stopping a couple of times and resetting it, it continued to go off. We concluded that either there was gas in the van or the detector needed new batteries or was faulty.

After a bit of thought it appears that the culprit is the leisure battery which has been on the blink for a while and is now flat. We intended renewing it on the habitation service this week. We read that a leisure battery, even a sealed one, can give off hydrogen if it is faulty or needs renewing, and this can set the carbon monoxide off. Hydrogen is highly flammable.

Good to know the carbon monoxide alarm alerted us to a problem.
Be very careful, hydrogen is very inflammable, don’t cause a spark by it.
 
OP
OP
S
Apr 25, 2014
1,222
4,981
Lancaster
Funster No
31,133
MH
Overhead cab
Exp
8 years
Thanks. We were just taking it to have a new leisure battery and didn't realise how dangerous it could be!

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Feb 9, 2008
8,924
18,663
Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
I would advise you investigate why your leisure battery is on the blink ? and now flat. If you just do a straight swap how do you prevent yourself from ending up in the same position again. I'm a bit puzzled it was not picked up on your hab check ! It may be worth investigation if it will hold a charge after being fully charged and if there is a drain on it. Are you sure it's flat ???
 
Feb 9, 2008
8,924
18,663
Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
Whoops! misread your post but would still advise checking the battery charge state and establishing why it is flat.
 
OP
OP
S
Apr 25, 2014
1,222
4,981
Lancaster
Funster No
31,133
MH
Overhead cab
Exp
8 years
Thanks - I meant it was on its way to the hab check. It passed the check last Feb and worked well during 5 months away March to August. We put it in storage and it was flat by November. We had isolator switches to both batteries 10 years ago and switch them off when not in use. The battery is 6 years old so we've had quite a long life from it.

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OP
OP
S
Apr 25, 2014
1,222
4,981
Lancaster
Funster No
31,133
MH
Overhead cab
Exp
8 years
Can't remember really but think it was Numax which is what we're having this time. They nly guarantee them for two years though.
 
Apr 27, 2016
6,800
7,837
Manchester
Funster No
42,762
MH
A class Hymer
Exp
Since the 80s
The gases from the battery should never have got into your habitation area. There should be breather tubes on the batteries leading the gases to the outside. If the batteries can not have a breather tube, they should not be fitted in a habitation area.

Maybe the present batteries were replacements for originally fitted gel batteries?
 

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