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Old 05-28-2014, 04:34 PM   #1
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Battery Box

I am in the process of replacing the original battery that came with the TT. Didn't know it at the time but the dealer stuck a car battery in the box when I bought the TT. Now, I am hoping the battery is dead and is the reason my CO detector keeps screaming. My voltmeter reads 11.38 after a charge so I'm (ass-u-me ing) it's dead. Went to pull the battery out of the black box on the tongue and there was about 2" of water in the box. I'm (ass-u-me ing) it came from outside the box. The lid was on like it should.

Has this ever happened to anyone?
Should I drill a drain hole near the bottom?
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Old 05-28-2014, 04:40 PM   #2
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Yes, water will easily get into the battery box. It happened multiple times to me until I drilled holes in the bottom. Good luck
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Old 05-28-2014, 08:39 PM   #3
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Yup...holes are a GOOD idea...provides circulation for any gassing as well. And yes...11.63 after charging for a few hours is toast. Make sure you get a TRUE deep cycle not one that is dual purpose and get he largest one that will fit in the space you have available.
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Old 05-28-2014, 08:56 PM   #4
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Search on (Water in Batt Box) shows (25+) back past 2010! Ours was a Block of Ice/with the Batt inside! Youroo!! You have to (Drill your own holes in the bottom of the Batt Box,this is NOT a Factory Option!
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Old 05-29-2014, 04:05 PM   #5
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I may have to take the box off to drill the holes. May put some rubber grommets under the box to allow the water to drain out of the holes. The water may have been in the box for a while because the screws holding the box to the tongue are rusted. FUN!
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Old 05-29-2014, 07:56 PM   #6
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Find some of those grommets that let the water out but none get in. I'm sure the road would throw up water and dirt to clog those holes.
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Old 05-29-2014, 07:59 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timex View Post
I am in the process of replacing the original battery that came with the TT. Didn't know it at the time but the dealer stuck a car battery in the box when I bought the TT. Now, I am hoping the battery is dead and is the reason my CO detector keeps screaming. My voltmeter reads 11.38 after a charge so I'm (ass-u-me ing) it's dead. Went to pull the battery out of the black box on the tongue and there was about 2" of water in the box. I'm (ass-u-me ing) it came from outside the box. The lid was on like it should.

Has this ever happened to anyone?
Should I drill a drain hole near the bottom?
Yes, 11 volts is pretty dead.

Are you sure it is water and not electrolyte? Your case could have cracked due to freezing and the liquid is actually water from the battery.
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Old 05-29-2014, 08:09 PM   #8
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I'll work on it this weekend. Got a new battery today. I plan on taking the box off the tongue, drill drain holes in the bottom of the box, put some rubber grommets under the box where the screws will go thru. This will raise the box about .25", just enough to let the water drain. I don't plan on drilling thru the metal of the tongue.
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Old 05-29-2014, 08:15 PM   #9
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Yes, 11 volts is pretty dead.

Are you sure it is water and not electrolyte? Your case could have cracked due to freezing and the liquid is actually water from the battery.
I was typing when you sent. To be sure, I don't know. Haven't had time to work on it. I'll give it a thorough inspection this weekend. Would the electrolyte have some acid in it? Don't know if it does or not. Got some on my hand and didn't burn me, just wiped it off. Just assumed it was water. We haven't been anywhere that would have caused it to freeze.
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Old 05-29-2014, 08:36 PM   #10
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Just taste a little, if your tongue tingles then it's acid, har har.
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Old 05-30-2014, 03:25 PM   #11
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I would but it's not my brand!
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Old 06-02-2014, 08:59 PM   #12
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When your battery drops to a certain level...alarms go off. Please drill a couple of holes (1/4 inch) in the bottom of your box. There are thousands of battery options for recreation trailers. The best is two 6 volt golf cart deep cell batteries. They are true deep cell batteries. Just think, golf carts are run every day and then charged every night. Look for Trojan (the best).
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Old 06-09-2014, 10:01 PM   #13
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I had water in my battery box almost to the top! I pulled it out, and drilled some holes in the bottom, good to go now. Randy
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Old 06-10-2014, 08:51 AM   #14
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On my box there are 2 vents that on the top that look to be about 1/32" high. It's amazing how much water can come through such a small opening but I guess we have traveled in the rain a few times and that helped with the accumulation. Drilled a hole on the bottom side of 4 corners and that should help. Wonder why the manufacturer of the box didn't think of that?
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Old 06-10-2014, 08:57 AM   #15
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[QUOTE=Timex;631606]On my box there are 2 vents that on the top that look to be about 1/32" high. It's amazing how much water can come through such a small opening but I guess we have traveled in the rain a few times and that helped with the accumulateon. Drilled a hole on the bottom side of 4 corners and that should help.
Quote:
Wonder why the manufacturer of the box didn't think of that?
The idea is to contain the battery acid in the event of a blowout.
No way to keep the acid in and let water out.
If you have a gel battery this is not as big of a deal but the gel can still leak.
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Old 06-10-2014, 09:00 AM   #16
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A little off topic, but does anyone actually lock their battery box? If so how do you do it?
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Old 06-10-2014, 09:03 AM   #17
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The idea is to contain the battery acid in the event of a blowout.
No way to keep the acid in and let water out.
If you have a gel battery this is not as big of a deal but the gel can still leak.[/QUOTE]

It's got some place to go now!
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Old 06-10-2014, 09:11 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timex View Post
The idea is to contain the battery acid in the event of a blowout.
No way to keep the acid in and let water out.
If you have a gel battery this is not as big of a deal but the gel can still leak.
It's got some place to go now![/QUOTE]

Last battery box I seen didn't contain the battery let alone the acid .

Note the shrapnel.


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Old 06-10-2014, 09:19 AM   #19
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No wonder, it's a cardboard box!

Use the plastic box next time!

I know, self slap.
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Old 06-10-2014, 10:22 AM   #20
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No wonder, it's a cardboard box!

Use the plastic box next time!

I know, self slap.
I was thinking something else!

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