Batteries gassing

[doc]

Is there a way to cut back the charger for my house batteries? I am not real sure how the inverter/converter/charger system works, but the batteries are corroding and the other afternoon I could smell sulphuric acid pretty strong around the MH. I do not know the name or model of the device but if that becomes an issue I will find out.
'08 Damon Essence, Freightliner chassis Thanks

[wa8yxm]

It depends on the converter.. Alas, most of them.. NO, some of them YES.

however if your batteries are Gassing... I'd look to the batteries first.

Turn off the converter for one hour during the day when you are not using a lot of battery power.. Then measure voltage,,, I'm guessing you will find it low.

[RV Wizard]

Have the batteries tested to determine if they are any good. A bad cell in one battery will cause the charging system to overcharge the rest of the bank. Find the converter/charger and get us the make and model # and we can go from there.

[mgscott4]

Buy a specific gravity tester at an auto parts store ($5). It has balls that float in a tube. Test each cell. It will tell you if you have a bad battery.

[ga traveler]

Most DP motorhomes have inverter chargers. These rarely overcharge. You probably have a shorted battery. If you don't have a voltmeter, turn on several lights to put a load on the batteries and then listen at each battery. You will hear a sizzling sound if the battery is shorted.

[She and I]

Agree with ga traveler....also the bad cell(s) will be cloudy and dark compaired to the rest.
Richard

[doc]

I went to move the coach out of the shed today and it would not even acknowledge the switch was on. The house batteries cranked the genset and I let it run until the coach batteries were charged enough to start the engine. I pulled it out so I could get to the battery compartment and allowed them to charge for about an hour or so. I went to check on them and smelled the sulphuric acid again. When I could fully open the compartment I found one of the chassis batteries (Alliance Maintenance Free) gassing with smoke or steam coming from the vent along with a small amount of acid. I figured at least one was toast and called Peach State Freightliner just down the road toward Atlanta from us. They had a replacement in stock and when I there I had them both checked. One was definitely gone and the other was really bad shape. Replaced the both. Mechanic said this was not unusual for MH batteries.
When I got back I cleaned the compartment and painted sodium bicarb on the metal surfaces. This will set until the AM and then I will pressure wash the compartment and paint. I had cleaned the house batteries back in August and then sprayed with terminal protectant. All the connections were dry and the protecant has dried hard and there is no sign of any corrosion. I figure the culprit has been the chassis batteries for some time.
Will install the new bats when the paint is dry tomorrow. Thanks for all the suggestions and encouragement.

[RV Wizard]

Thanks for the update.