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06-13-2019, 11:41 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 355
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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?
__________________
2015 Coachmen Catalina 273TBS pulled by a 2019 F150 Platinum.
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06-13-2019, 11:43 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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Drill a couple of holes in the bottom it's not going to hurt anything.
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06-13-2019, 11:45 AM
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#3
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Happy Keystone Owner
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 636
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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.
__________________
'15 F150 Ecoboost Maxtow Scab '19 Keystone Laredo 225MK
Days camped 2020-37 2019-36, 2018-24, 2017-46, 2016 -56, 2015-33,
2014-47,
Years camping....55
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06-13-2019, 11:46 AM
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#4
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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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.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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06-13-2019, 11:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 355
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
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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Yep. Already cleaned the terminals. I suppose the non stop rain this spring hasn't helped.
__________________
2015 Coachmen Catalina 273TBS pulled by a 2019 F150 Platinum.
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06-13-2019, 12:19 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
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SOP (standard operating procedure) drill drain holes in battery box.
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Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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06-13-2019, 12:20 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
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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.
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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06-13-2019, 12:35 PM
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#8
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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If the bottom of the battery box is not flat you want to drill the holes in the lowest places.
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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06-13-2019, 12:38 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Carlyss, Louisiana
Posts: 520
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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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06-13-2019, 12:38 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1
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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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06-13-2019, 12:41 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 15
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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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06-13-2019, 01:03 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan
SOP (standard operating procedure) drill drain holes in battery box.
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x2!
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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06-13-2019, 01:07 PM
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#13
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Newly Retired
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: North GA
Posts: 220
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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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06-13-2019, 01:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allanjr
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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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.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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06-13-2019, 01:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 8300 Feet - Rocky Mountains
Posts: 2,414
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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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Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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06-13-2019, 01:52 PM
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#16
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Camping with Labs
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Jarrettsville, MD
Posts: 264
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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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Chris, Paula, & camping Labs, Shasta (RIP 8/10/20) & Cammie
2005 Yukon XL 2500 with 8.1 Engine, Allison Transmission, and 3.73 Axle Ratio
2019 Rockwood Signature 8335BSS with Hensley Arrow Hitch
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06-13-2019, 02:21 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 432
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A2pfunk
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
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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.
__________________
Jeff
2016 APEX 215rbk
2016 F-150 4WD 3.55 3.5l ecoboost
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06-13-2019, 02:38 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: clermont fl
Posts: 8
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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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06-13-2019, 02:46 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New Holland, Pennsylvania
Posts: 86
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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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06-13-2019, 02:54 PM
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#20
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald 1
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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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.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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