Community Forums

Dean V · 05-27-2013, 01:59 PM

I have a plastic cover covering the bank of batteries. I am having a problem with corroding battery cables and feel this cover may be trapping vapors which is leading to my corrosion problem. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I remove the cover and just leave it off? Thanks for any input.

**CLIFFTALL** · 05-27-2013, 02:19 PM

Here is a link to some past threads with similar issues in an Alpine. Hopefully you'll see an answer there.
http://www.google.com/search?q=Alpin...earch=irv2.com

Old Scout · 05-27-2013, 02:23 PM

Dont know if the cover directly contributes but by leaving the cover in place, you are less likely to check and wash-down the bats so corrosion has more time to collect. If your cables are corroding, it generally means that you bats are gassing due to age or charger/inverter issues. Lots of info on bats and bat maintenance on this site--do a search. I threw away the cover years ago and I literally hose down/wash off the bats everytime I was the coach. Some folks swear by putting 2-4 oz of mineral oil in each cell of the bats to minimize gassing. Again, if you are getting lots of corrosion on your cables, you need to check condition of bats and the charging sources.

Algoma · 05-27-2013, 03:05 PM

If these are original you should replace them with AGM batteries. Then you can keep the cover on or not. As Old Scout pointed out it seems you are overcharging either due to battery age or high voltage from the charger. If the cables are badly corroded you may need to change them too. Check the battery support frame as that may also be badly corroded.

Dean V · 05-27-2013, 08:47 PM

Thank you all so much for the input, I really appreciate it. You have given me great suggestions and I have a good idea of how to proceed from here. This website is like finding a hidden treasure. I love it! Thank you again.

Mr_D · 05-27-2013, 08:54 PM

Or, you could add 4 oz of mineral oil to each cell. That cuts WAY down on the corrosion and need to add distilled water. Cost will be less than $10. I did that to our batteries years ago, they lasted just 1 month short of 10 years too.