Not all batteries are the same

Prescot46
Prescot46 Forum Participant Posts: 70
edited August 2021 in Motorhomes #1

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.

Comments

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2021 #2

    Not all batteries are the same

    Indeed they’re not, this car-battery-specification-chart lists the variables according to battery code.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2021 #3

    Do you mean carbon monoxide (CO) gas detector? If yours went off I’m sure the culprit is not the battery at all as they do not give off CO or CO2. The source of the CO detected really needs checking as a point of urgency mind as it is extremely dangerous.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2021 #4

    Some CO detectors can be activated by hydrogen from charging batteries.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2021 #5

    That’s useful to know. Could you post the make and model as they would be an excellent addition to our safety and an indication of a battery problem. I’ve never heard or seen of any that do.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited August 2021 #6

    https://www.safelincs.co.uk/blog/2021/02/16/co-detectors-and-false-alarms/

    See section ‘what causes false alarms’.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2021 #7

    Thanks SB. Still, as it could be a false alarm, the units are not designed or built to detect H or H2S , it would be wise to assume that it possibly is CO. After all, It’s a very dangerous gas which is a hidden killer.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2021 #8

    Absolutely, can’t be too careful. I think most boat owners are familiar with the potential for false alarms, but maybe less so caravan & motorhomers?

    I only discovered the different types when I inherited a CO alarm some years ago. Damn thing used to go off in the middle of the night while the EHU was charging the leisure battery and scare us to death. We used to sleep with all the windows open just in case. 

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