Battery smells
6 replies
Vicmallows replied on 16/07/2018 18:23
Posted on 16/07/2018 18:23
Your battery is being seriously overcharged. Turn the charger off and allow it to cool. Do not continue to charge it.
This can occasionally be because the charger has become faulty and is putting out too high a voltage, However the most likely cause is that the battery has developed a shorted cell. (the reduced voltage with a shorted cell means that the charger will output its maximum current indefinitely, causing the remaining cells to be overcharged and gas).
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alan0378 replied on 16/07/2018 18:27
ocsid replied on 16/07/2018 19:27
Posted on 16/07/2018 19:27
If you have a multi meter you can do a basic , reasonably reliable test to check if the battery has a shorted cell, by far the most likely type of failure in a case as you describe.
With the EHU not connected and nothing on in the caravan, measure the voltage across the battery terminals, ideally some hours off charge.
A healthy battery would read 12.7 upwards.
One with a shorted cell will measure about one sixth less, so of the order of 10.6, ie way below the 12.7.
One I had fail recently was just 9 volts.
Hisellvic7 replied on 12/01/2023 13:38
Posted on 12/01/2023 13:38
My leisure battery has cracked, and discharged acid inside its housing box inside my motorhome, I have taken battery away from motorhome, and purchased a new one, but have not connected yet, as the smell inside the motorhome is unbearable, had door and window open for 2 days, but so far can't get rid of stench!
anyone able to give advice or help on this!
Thanks' Vic
alan0378
Caravanner