andyj
Kicking the Tyres
Posts: 4
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Post by andyj on Jun 8, 2014 17:02:16 GMT
Hi whilst on hols in Normandy I woke up to the smell of bad eggs, knowing France can have steely drains I'd went to investigate. unfortunately the drains were ok,but my leisure battery wasn't, it was fizzing nicely and very warm! As it is sited in a proper outside locker I was a little surprised I could smell it. We were on mains hook up so Making sure the power was disconnected I waited till the air cleared and battery cooled before removing the battery. The question posed is; was the battery (3 years old) failing and shorting or was the battery charger failing to reduce the charge. So how do I check this out without ruining another leisure battery.
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Roger Thomas AKA Guest
Guest
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Post by Roger Thomas AKA Guest on Jun 22, 2014 19:32:19 GMT
Check the output with a dc Voltmeter if you have one.should not be more than 14.5V Else pop into the nearest tyre and battery shed i,e. Feu Vert or Eurotyres and they will check it for you.
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Post by trooper on Jun 30, 2014 18:42:13 GMT
I agree with Roger, check the output from the charger, that is the usual reason for 'Cooked' Batterys.
Trooper
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caroleheard
Kicking the Tyres
2001 Hymer C544 at Jumbles Country park, CC certified site near Bolton.
Posts: 27
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Post by caroleheard on Aug 7, 2014 15:32:08 GMT
It won't be of help now due to time lag, but I believe that you have suffered a shorted cell. So, the remaining 5 cells supported the voltage of the charger which promptly went into current limit, charging those cells for all they were worth leading to them boiling, or at least gassing vigorously. You will have had hydrogen gas and sulphuric acid vapour floating around. This could be the result of a number of possible events:- Charger runaway leading to overvoltage of the battery pile. A mis match between charger settings and battery type leading to loss of water in the battery and eventual failure of one cell. A persistent high float charge voltage coupled with high ambient temperatures. Wind generators and solar cells can be culprits here. The storage float charge voltage (trickle charge voltage) for a leisure battery is considerably lower than the peak voltage usually used for traction battery (starter battery) re-charge termination voltage. For a wet cell battery, I would recommend 13.62V float voltage (after fully charging), decreasing by 15mV per degree of temperature above 25C. So in Summery France at 38C ambient, I think 13.5V would be nearer the mark for long term trickle charge.
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Post by andy j on Nov 1, 2014 17:09:14 GMT
Thanks for all the help. Took it to the dealers, seems one of the cells failed causing the other five to cook. So replaced the battery and we are now cooking!
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