leaking batteries

[rstoro]

We have a 2010 Georgetown 350, noticed the( house) batteries are leaking acid, we have cleaned the batteries with a battery cleaning solution and the leaking acid has returned. Has anyone else had this problem and does this mean we need new batteries. They are now two years old ( We have had no problem with the electric/battrey use??

Thanks,
R & S

[cfsoistman]

Sounds like you should test the electrolite levels in each cell. If they are leaking out the caps it is from overcharging from the two stage charger. One of my 2 year old batteries did the same thing. I now have an inverter with a 3 stage charger. I would believe you'll find a cell or two is bad in those batteries.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by rstoro

We have a 2010 Georgetown 350, noticed the( house) batteries are leaking acid, we have cleaned the batteries with a battery cleaning solution and the leaking acid has returned. Has anyone else had this problem and does this mean we need new batteries. They are now two years old ( We have had no problem with the electric/battrey use??

Thanks,
R & S

The way you state leaking, it means the "acid" is sticking to metal parts nearby such as terminals and steel structures? If this is the case most likely your charger is in overdrive and vaporizing, very low rate, the batt solution so its leaving the caps. Since its vapor it condenses on the nearlest cool metals including the positive terminal and nearby bare steel. Maybe you can check into adjusting the charger to a lower rate at trickle.

[rstoro]

Will check the cells, could we be overcharging the batteries by plugging into our house plug at home when we bring it to prepare for a trip??(we go from a 50amp plug to 30amp to 15amp then keep it plugged in for a few days???)

Thanks for the info

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by rstoro

Will check the cells, could we be overcharging the batteries by plugging into our house plug at home when we bring it to prepare for a trip??(we go from a 50amp plug to 30amp to 15amp then keep it plugged in for a few days???)

Thanks for the info

Yes, because in the end your 115 VAC converter making 13+ volts for the RV is also sending that same DC voltage to the battery. Newer ones detect the current flow and adjust downwards automatically. If it doesn't, your batteries boil and sometimes fry.

[Trempert]

I had the same problem. After doing research, I discovered that even the cheap one-stage chargers won't overcharge a good battery because the battery's resistance increases as it charges until it won't take anymore charge. I plugged the bad batteries in and let them charge for a day and then felt each one. One was much hotter than the other one meaning it had an internal short so it kept pulling current well after it was "charged". The dealer replaced both batteries under warranty and everything is wonderful now.

[Falcon35]

I had a house battery blow up when the coach was about eight months old. Forest River had a dealer replace both batteries and check the charger a few months later I had Forest River again check the charger and they told me it was OK. I have been keeping a close watch on it and everything seems Ok.