Battery box water drainage

[uchytil]

Should the plastic battery box have water drain holes? My cover was on and it still filled up with water which seems weird.

[timfromma]

Drill a couple of holes in the bottom.

[Schvarak]

Originally Posted by uchytil

Should the plastic battery box have water drain holes? My cover was on and it still filled up with water which seems weird.

Wondering how a box with cover is filling up with water. In any case, yes, drill a couple holes to drain it.

[Mountndream]

did your batteries overflow?

[uchytil]

No the battery did not overflow. I checked that first. I mostly wondered if anyone else had a battery box with holes in the bottom. Seems like they would come that way?

[Flybob]

I've always wondered why a battery box manufacturer would add vents in the top to allow it to breath without adding drain holes when most trailers have the battery mounted on tongue. I immediately drilled drain holes in the low points in my battery box. You may also notice that the battery box is only held on by a nylon strap designed to hod the lid on.

[Mountndream]

i had to drill holes in mine...

maybe you drove in rain and got splash up in the downward facing vents

[rockfordroo]

My box did the same thing. Don't understand why, but I drilled a few holes in the bottom.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by uchytil

Should the plastic battery box have water drain holes? My cover was on and it still filled up with water which seems weird.

Just wondering how full "filled up with water" really was?
Are you saying the box filled with water to the top edges?

I could see where some water could enter the box traveling in a driving rain storm but 'filled up'???

I chose to drill holes slightly up from the bottom on the back side of mine when I had a TT. That way should the battery ever boil over or leak slightly, there would still be some containment.

[uchytil]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the box was filled to the top. Battery displaced most space so it seems like a lot of water. I'm also of the opinion that the way these things are secured is substandard. The strap provided is cheap that's the only thing holding the battery and box/lid down. I wanted to add a second battery so I think I'll figure out a better way to secure (strap) them down and ensure some drainage.

[jeff64]

Same boxes used in marine application, probably more numbers and holes not desired

[fonzie]

If battery leaks acid it keeps it in box

[f5moab]

No holes in either of my boxes and there never will be.

Since I take mine off-road on very nasty roads, I have had the electrolyte splash out of the batteries into the case. That is why when I'm going to camp on nasty roads, I carry a gallon container of distilled water. And I have learned to check the levels when pulling into camp, and when back home.

I guess for those, and that means most, that never take their trailer off a paved road, it makes no difference.

Also those so called weak straps, have never failed since I owned the trailer.

[VinceU]

You can always add the "duck bill" drain fittings to the bottom of openings which allow fluid to pass from the top but cannot reverse into the compartment. Used widely in the industry, my Georgetown had lots.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by fonzie

If battery leaks acid it keeps it in box

This is the reason I don't want drain holes. Perhaps old memories from sail boat days...

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

This is the reason I don't want drain holes. Perhaps old memories from sail boat days...

That's interesting, boats and vehicles listing to. 45 deg should be using sealed batteries. Batteries who crack and leak most likely don't have much acid left in them, they're shot. My experience boat and multiple RVs.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by VinceU

That's interesting, boats and vehicles listing to. 45 deg should be using sealed batteries. Batteries who crack and leak most likely don't have much acid left in them, they're shot. My experience boat and multiple RVs.

AGMs are my choice, but expensive.

[gectisme]

Same thing happened to my 12v boxes. Well actually only one of them. I don't know how but guessing the same thing, driving in a down pour. I can remember 2 that were really nasty in PA, had to slow down to around 35mph to be able to see. I figured out it was just water so I drilled a hole in the bottom and didn't have the issue again. Fast forward about 4 months and I just replaced my 12v batteries with 6v and had to replace the boxes. The RV dealer screwed the 12v boxes onto the battery support frame so I did the same with the 6v boxes. Reading this thread and thinking more, I probably should have just used the straps and made sure water would not be able to get into the box...

[timfromma]

Flooded batteries produce hydrogen while charging so you cannot store them in an air / water tight box.

[youroo]

We bought our V-Lite in January=COLD! We could not perform the Complete PDI on the Fresh water because of the -F Temp! When we got home I removed the Battery Top cover and found the Battery inside a "Block of ICE",slowly Heated the Area until I could remove battery from its Ice Block! The Box was held into place by 4 self tapping screws drilled into the sheet metal plate across the A frame,NO Drain holes! Had to remove 1 screw to drain Water,dry out Box then get "Creative" to drill a Drain hole that would allow a drain hose to extend Below the frame in case battery Acid flowed out also! Battery was OK,not Damaged from its "Ice Grave"! Our 4 wheelers,motor cycles,snowmobiles,all have "Drain Tubes" out the bottom,now our Trailer does also! Youroo!!