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Old 06-13-2019, 11:41 AM   #1
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Why is my battery box full of water?

So I opened up the battery box today to remove and replace the battery. I was shocked to find it OVERFLOWING with water. I'm not sure where it's coming in from. Perhaps the battery disconnect switch? I thought that was pretty well sealed. I think it's coming in through the two little vent holes on top. So... So now do I drill a drain hole or two in the bottom? Or does that just risk more water when I'm driving?Click image for larger version

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Old 06-13-2019, 11:43 AM   #2
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Drill a couple of holes in the bottom it's not going to hurt anything.
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Old 06-13-2019, 11:45 AM   #3
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Mine is too. When I get back home I’m going to put a couple drain holes before I leave again.
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Old 06-13-2019, 11:46 AM   #4
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I'd bet it is coming in from that disconnect switch.
Those kind really are not waterproof. Maybe water resistant but not water proof.

Yes, you can drill a small drain hole (or two) near the bottom or on the bottom of the box.

Either remove the battery first or be sure not to drill into it.

Also... clean up those corroded cables.
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Old 06-13-2019, 11:57 AM   #5
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Quote:
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I'd bet it is coming in from that disconnect switch.
Those kind really are not waterproof. Maybe water resistant but not water proof.

Yes, you can drill a small drain hole (or two) near the bottom or on the bottom of the box.

Either remove the battery first or be sure not to drill into it.

Also... clean up those corroded cables.
Yep. Already cleaned the terminals. I suppose the non stop rain this spring hasn't helped.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:19 PM   #6
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SOP (standard operating procedure) drill drain holes in battery box.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:20 PM   #7
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Mine has a vent in the cover that will let water in. The bottom of the box is sealed and holds water. I had to drill 1/4" holes in each of the four corners and no further issues.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:35 PM   #8
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If the bottom of the battery box is not flat you want to drill the holes in the lowest places.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:38 PM   #9
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If you drill hole in your battery box, first remove the battery, no reason to risk damaging the battery by drilling into it. I would be careful where I placed those holes, make sure that there are no bracing beneath the holes, acid from the battery will damage any metal it comes in contact with, whether painted or not. You do not need multiple holes, but one in center of box either 1/4 or 3/8 of a inch should do the trick.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:38 PM   #10
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I would not drill holes in the battery box if there are holes meant to be there or the manufacturer would do that I would fix the problem that is causing water to fill the battery box if the battery case cracks open there will be acid flowing through the drill holes and you’ll have quite a cleanup To do
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:41 PM   #11
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FlyBob has the correct answer re each of the four corners. THAT way you will be assured that it will ALWAYS drain as you bounce down the road, or park. The four corners cover
most angles of lurching while travelling, or even parking unless you are super finicky about perfection while leveling. And if anything when parking "tilt" (or favor if you have no choice...) towards the refrigerator side to help the coils. Good luck.
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:03 PM   #12
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Quote:
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SOP (standard operating procedure) drill drain holes in battery box.
x2!
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:07 PM   #13
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Punch a hole

I used my long screwdriver and a hammer to punch a hole. One whack from inside next to the battery. Done. Rain goes in and rain goes out.
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:20 PM   #14
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I would not drill holes in the battery box if there are holes meant to be there or the manufacturer would do that I would fix the problem that is causing water to fill the battery box if the battery case cracks open there will be acid flowing through the drill holes and you’ll have quite a cleanup To do
You made some false assumptions. The battery boxes being used are generic boxes that are also designed to meet marine/USCG requirements, these boxes have vents but not drain holes in order to prevent battery acid from leaking into the hull of the boat. Marine batteries are largely mounted in an internal space where there is no water ingress from rain, etc, so there's no water to get into the box through the box vents and as such the only liquid that may end up in the battery box is battery acid.

For external/non-marine applications it is a good idea to drill drain holes into the bottom of the box to allow water to drain out that comes in from the vents, just don't drill the holes so they drain onto the metal battery supports and instead will drain onto the ground.
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:20 PM   #15
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Drill drain holes, as others suggested.

These are "generic" battery boxes. They are located in a space subjected to road spray and quirky aerodynamics behind the TV, behind the propane tanks, and in the bow wave of the front of the RV. There's no way to know how and why moisture-laden air-flow is making its way into the box.

But as you know, there are huge openings to admit wiring and moisture, and some have venting that will also admit moisture. The wiring may also conduct water into the box, again due to quirky aerodynamics.

It's just a plastic box to hold the battery in place and keep the bird poop off.
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:52 PM   #16
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We're on our 4th TT, after having 2 Pop-ups. I've always drilled 4 or 5 small holes in the bottom of our battery boxes. Was pleasantly surprised that the dealer did that for us during its prep process for delivering our latest TT. If you are using the "typical" batteries on your rig, you really can't afford to completely seal all sources of outside moisture - it wouldn't allow any venting, and that could become a bigger problem than the water. So drill the holes and enjoy your camping season.
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Old 06-13-2019, 02:21 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by A2pfunk View Post
So I opened up the battery box today to remove and replace the battery. I was shocked to find it OVERFLOWING with water. I'm not sure where it's coming in from. Perhaps the battery disconnect switch? I thought that was pretty well sealed. I think it's coming in through the two little vent holes on top. So... So now do I drill a drain hole or two in the bottom? Or does that just risk more water when I'm driving?Attachment 207197Attachment 207198
I put a switch like that on the side of my battery box. I also put RTV in the screw holes and on the screws and nuts when attaching it. And my box has a couple of drain holes. I have never seen evidence of water in the box.
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Old 06-13-2019, 02:38 PM   #18
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Water in battery box

The other reason for water in your battery box is boil over caused by over charging the battery or a bad cell
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Old 06-13-2019, 02:46 PM   #19
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That happened to me with my last camper, and I just drilled 2 holes in the bottom of the box after taking the battery out.
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Old 06-13-2019, 02:54 PM   #20
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The other reason for water in your battery box is boil over caused by over charging the battery or a bad cell
Lead Acid battery liquid is often referred to as "water" when it is in fact, electrolyte. Such as "did you check the water in your battery?"

Yes, it can boil out of a cell or run out from a hole rubbed through or a crack in the case but for it to fill up the battery box there would need to be some serious issues with the battery itself.

I believe in this case, it truly is water, not electrolyte.
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