Batteries located under stairs

[kenandterry]

Just a quick survey of Georgetown owners out there.......

Are your house batteries located under the stairs on a tray but open to the environment from underneath? This subjects them to water (road spray) and any other dirt Mother Nature throws up. Everything found in this vicinity (wiring, cables, relays) ultimately gets dirty and possibly corroded.

Guess it's open to allow "off gases" from the batteries, but would have been nice if they were enclosed like some travel trailers and 5th wheels.

[VinceU]

Yes 2012 378 were there, stayed very clean however, far from tire spray.

[Pixelbum1]

Don't worry...even on my '11 Solera MH the coach batts. are slung underneath the same way...open to God and the Angels, etc. I did notice that they are HEAVILY painted at the terminals with the red. anti-corrosion remedy and seem to be in good shape. However, you might want to eyeball the battery case tops between the terminals from time-to-time as dust and dirt(and mud?) could eventually provide a perfect conduit for slow electrical discharge of each battery. Simply blow them off well, then wipe off with a damp cloth, then dry between each terminal to get them as dry and pristine as possible to circumvent the aforementioned. Takes only 5 min to do this assuming they are accessible?

[Freds342]

The battery in your car or truck is just as exposed!

[Pixelbum1]

True on the car batts, but certainly not as badly as the under-the-step variety on the MH's & some TT's? Those batts are "down under"(just above the roadway...) and appear to be more vulnerable to the elements vs. the higher up engine compartment batts...you know what I mean! In ANY case...always keep an eye on them no matter where they are and keep that ounce of prevention working in one's favor. I miss my previous Airstream that kept the battery low but in a weather proof container which kept it pretty darned clean.
Evidently outgassing from this setup was never an issue too.

-PB

[fbconsults]

My 378TS has the batteries under the steps and after four years and 35k miles, they are clean as a whistle.

Happy Trails, Forrest

[BillMFl]

Batteries in an enclosed compartment are an explosion hazard.

[Pixelbum1]

I agree Bill, but then again Airstream has been hiding them like that for years and who can argue with success? I don't think AS makes them that tight as to collect any of the gases and probably has a vent system somewhere to circumvent the prob. Are Marine batts. different in that respect in that they don't produce as much of the outgassing product? Something interesting to research, eh? I am VERY aware of this problem when jumpstarting auto's though (higher energy batts too!) and ALWAYS use the correct hook-up and hook-off procedures to prevent any killer sparks. Sulphuric acid blinds people permanently! Be safe...PB

[BillMFl]

non sealed wet cell type batteries vent hydrogen when being charged and marine batteries that are not sealed do too. I use sealed deep cycle marine batteries in my boat and in my rv. In industrial situations where we charged multiple batteries in a small room before installing them in fork trucks, etc. we had a large venthood/exhaust fan over the batteries being charged. I once had a car battery short out and completely boil out in minutes. The amount of heat and foaming acid water was scary amazing. Luckily the car was parked in the driveway and after it cooled down I was able to raise the hood and hose it clean with lots of water. After seeing that I am a believer in open storage for batteries for several reasons.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Pixelbum1

Don't worry...even on my '11 Solera MH the coach batts. are slung underneath the same way...open to God and the Angels, etc. I did notice that they are HEAVILY painted at the terminals with the red. anti-corrosion remedy and seem to be in good shape. However, you might want to eyeball the battery case tops between the terminals from time-to-time as dust and dirt(and mud?) could eventually provide a perfect conduit for slow electrical discharge of each battery. Simply blow them off well, then wipe off with a damp cloth, then dry between each terminal to get them as dry and pristine as possible to circumvent the aforementioned. Takes only 5 min to do this assuming they are accessible?

Pixel, your batteries are contained in an enclosed box, with a small hole near the top of the backside, to allow for gassing. They are not exposed to any of the turbulance present during flight. The batts on most cars have more exposure than the Solera batts.

As for the Georgetown, I have no knowledge on their housing set up.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

Pixel, your batteries are contained in an enclosed box, with a small hole near the top of the backside, to allow for gassing. They are not exposed to any of the turbulance present during flight. The batts on most cars have more exposure than the Solera batts.

As for the Georgetown, I have no knowledge on their housing set up.

The batteries are slung from the frame in an open tray. Below the steps (internal) they are pretty well shielded from tire and road spray. The tray itself is about 18" above the tarmac. If driving in water that deep you must have missed a turn!

[WDK]

Originally Posted by VinceU

The batteries are slung from the frame in an open tray. Below the steps (internal) they are pretty well shielded from tire and road spray. The tray itself is about 18" above the tarmac. If driving in water that deep you must have missed a turn!

Good one!!!!

[Sheldon211]

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