Prescot46 replied on 26/08/2021 12:25
Posted on 26/08/2021 12:25
Through my own carelessness and a bit of misinformation from the dealer when the van was purchased the mobile service engineer told me the leisure battery was dry. I should have been checking the levels - I was told my battery was sealed. The engineer topped it up with distilled water in the hope that it might revive. At the end of the service all seemed to be going well, it was holding a charge and although his meter was showing a weak battery, it was hoped it would recover. I rechecked the water levels last night and they were fine and other than a few bubbles in the cells it seemed ok.
This morning the CO2 alarm was beeping and I checked the leisure battery. It was very warm and there was a faint smell of sulphur dioxide. When I removed it there was a slight bulge on the side. I think I was vey lucky it had not exploded.
Decided to change it and picked up a leisure battery from Halfords. I had a £10 voucher for internet orders. The £95 battery cost £85. Soon discovered not all batteries are the same. When I fitted it, the length and width were okay but it was too tall and the battery box lid would not go on.
The existing battery is what is called a low slung battery at 190mm high whilst the Halfords Class C batteries are 224mm high. Although Halfords sell an AGM battery with a height of 190mm at £155 there were none in store. I needed it today as we set off for France tomorrow.
Managed to get a Class C Numax battery the right height at a cost of £139 from a local caravan supplies shop. This one is a sealed unit.
Moral is - check what battery you have and if replacing check the dimension, not all batteries are the same.
Prescot46