Battery Strap Corrosion

[hawk10eye]

I have had a continuing issue of corrosion on the nylon battery straps that hold down the house batteries on the slide out tray. I am sure it is caused by the charging of the house lead acid batteries, which give off the fumes when being charged. Also, probably the dissimilar metals that touch on the strap ends and the tray itself. It also occurs on the clamp which is spring loaded where the strap goes through to tighten it. I have cleaned them constantly, and used battery terminal spray in hopes of stopping it. I even try to keep the battery door open when parked, to facilitate air flow, but the corrosion still occurs. There is no problem with the battery terminals themselves. And there is no need to replace the lead acid batteries at this time with sealed ones. Has anyone found a solution to this issue? Perhaps a different material for the hold down straps? Any fixes would be appreciated.

[dogsgocamping]

I went through a lot of trouble to fix this. First was to upgrade the controller for the inverter/charger (Magnum Energy ME-RC50). Then some specialty battery caps (Water Miser 2000C medium height caps). The clean up of the damage caused by the acid was the worst part. Used some epoxy based paint after sanding the entire battery compartment. Haven't had any problem since. I replaced the straps with custom ordered ones from Strapworks. I wish that they would have just used the upgraded controller in the first place. It is around $100 more but would have save a bunch of us a lot of trouble. Or you could just upgrade the batteries to something that wont out-gas. The problem with that is you need the upgraded controller to set the charger for that type of battery!

[ernest917]

I cleaned up my trays and then sprayed everything with spray-on bed liner.... It coats everything perfectly and is as hard as iron....


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[dan-nickie]

My straps are dong that also.
But what I want to know about is that "Slide Out Battery Tray"?

[ernest917]

All my batteries slide out of the compartment for easy access .....


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[Phil57]

Dan that was a item they stopped using on 2014. I have no idea how they expect you to get the batteries out without the tray. A stupid item to delete.

[dan-nickie]

I have been concerned about the same thing on mine. The acid flakes fall down onto the floor at the bottom of the battery. Will the battery terminal solution don't dissolve the battery acid?

Shame about the battery tray being discontinued. I bet that is nice.

[bud1249]

Dan I have the same Berkshire you do With the tall house batt no tray. They are hard to water and my stray are so bad I have already replace them, also inside of compartment door looks real bad. I have sprayed treminal and even lv door open when at home. Rv is inside of building. I had berryland add more vents to compartment and that has not help much. Would love slide out tray can it be added?

[dan-nickie]

I was thinking it was a minor issue. Maybe I should go ahead and do something about it before it gets much worse.

[Flybob]

For a simple inexpensive solution. Purchase the shortest length you can find ( probably 25 ft) of the flat vinyl pool filter backwash hose ( about $6). Cut a piece about 6" longer than the top width of your battery and slip it over the hold down strap. This should protect the strip. Also check to make sure you have not overfilled the cells in the battery.

[Mmnsc]

I had the same problem with the strap. I put the battery glass acid absorbing mats below each battery. Upon removing the batteries from the tray I realized how heavy they were and the tight fit into the tray so I threw the strap away. I cannot image the batteries ever coming out of the tray except in a roll over and i doubt the strap would hold them in place. Simple answer throw them away.


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[dogsgocamping]

Originally Posted by bud1249

Dan I have the same Berkshire you do With the tall house batt no tray. They are hard to water and my stray are so bad I have already replace them, also inside of compartment door looks real bad. I have sprayed treminal and even lv door open when at home. Rv is inside of building. I had berryland add more vents to compartment and that has not help much. Would love slide out tray can it be added?

Trays are available here. I am not sure which one but it should be possible if the compartment is configured like mine.

Jeff

[dogsgocamping]

Also heavy duty ones here.

[tmmar]

Google battery mats. They absorb the gas that the batteries emit and prevent the corrosion.

[Gottawonder]

As to difficult to add water, A 2 qt battery filler makes an easy chore of it. Shove it in the hole and it stops when water is at proper level.

Like this: Amazon.com: Plews 75-030 Auto Shut Off 2 Quart Capacity Plastic Battery Filler: Automotive

Gottawonder

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by Gottawonder

As to difficult to add water, A 2 qt battery filler makes an easy chore of it. Shove it in the hole and it stops when water is at proper level.

Like this: Amazon.com: Plews 75-030 Auto Shut Off 2 Quart Capacity Plastic Battery Filler: Automotive

Gottawonder

I forgot about them. We used to use one like that at the filling station I worked at when in High School.

[dan-nickie]

Originally Posted by Phil57

I forgot about them. We used to use one like that at the filling station I worked at when in High School.

Same here. Haven't seen one in a long time.
I'm going to order one.

[Gottawonder]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

Same here. Haven't seen one in a long time.
I'm going to order one.

I think you're more likely to be diligent with the batteries if you have a way to make it fast and simple. Pop all the caps, make a lap with the filler, done.

We rented a golf cart at Fort Wilderness and the carts are all equipped with single point watering systems. Probably overkill for the house batteries but someone may want to be the first kid on the block.... several vendors, one listed below.

Battery Watering Technologies - Watering systems for battery maintenance

Gottawonder

[NO3putt]

Put a watering system on ours, (Pro-Fill) have had it about 2 years and cut down the corrosion down to nothing and very easy to put water in, don't even need to slide out battery tray.

[Phil57]

Skip did you put that on yourself and where and what did you get.
How's Texas?