Smelly overheating battery replacement

[prthomas]

Hi all. We had a failed trip away a few weeks ago where we thought we had a gas leak, but got the van checked over (it’s brand new) and no gas leak. But then today in preparation for this weekend away I had the van on hookup and again the smell came this time setting off the CO alarm. After initially thinking it was the fridge we deduced it was the battery and found that the battery underseat area was really hot and the battery leisure battery charge on the scale was 14.2. It had been on hookup for 24 hours and possibly the CO alarm had been going off for a while (I thought it was a neighbour’s smoke alarm for a long time).

So to my question. Is this a faulty battery or some other sort of problem? Will replacing the battery be the best first step? We are due to go away for a week tomorrow and I am happy to buy a new battery so we can keep on schedule.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pappajohn]

New van!
Back to the dealer. It's their problem and expense not yours.
If you do replace it make sure you put the old one back after your break then back to dealer.

 

[Phill D]

Have I read your post correctly this is a brand new van?

 

[dunnah01]

Sounds a bit more like the charger is either setup incorrectly or damaged - as above back to dealers to sort out

 

[Lenny HB]

It could be a duff battery or it could be a faulty charger overcharging the battery.
Have you checked the charger is on the correct setting for the type of battery.

Was it a factory order van or one the dealer had in stock for a while?
If a stock one battery could have been left flat bu**ering it.

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[prthomas]

It was a stock from the dealer, had been there a while AFAIK.

How would I check the charger is setup correctly?

I did take it to Vanbitz and they fitted solar so it has been charging via that quite happily for 2 months. This just happened when on ehu.

 

[NicM]

If your battery is smelling do not use it till you get it looked at, batteries can and do explode!!!! Over changing is the usually the problem.

 

[Nedge68]

Hi,
this could get complicated, but yes I think you will be needing a new battery, was there an eggy smell?
definately need to have someone you trust to check out all of your charging, solar, EHU/charger and alternator.
So who do you trust? As you have been to Vanbitz I would suggest you give them a call ASAP and see if they can fit you in, if you go to your dealer they may just point at the new solar and say that’s your problem. I am sure Vanbitz would have checked over your battery etc. when they had the van.