Foul smell from vent...?

[tgrichards]

We're new to RVing and this 07 River Canyon 5er. We've started smelling something foul (somewhat ammonia like) around a vent in the front, on a vertical surface under the front goose-neck. I've attached a photo of the vent, if someone could tell me its purpose and why we're getting the foul smell?

We suspect its a vent from the holding tanks, but which one, and how to stop the odor? We noticed it first when emptying the gray tank; we don't use the black tank.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
T&C

[wildtoad]

Chances are it is indeed a vent connected to the gray tank. Best thing to do is to flush out the gray tank with plenty of clean water to make sure all junk is cleaned out. Go here: The Geo Method for some good advice.

Even if you don't use the black tank you should keep a minimum for water with some deoderizing chemical in the bottom of it to keep the dump valve lubricated and you just never know when you will need to use it.

[petehami]

That is what my battery vent looks like. Could it be you battery overcharging?

[tgrichards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehami That is what my battery vent looks like. Could it be you battery overcharging?

Wow, that is right in front of the battery compartment. Maybe! Can anyone else ID this vent? Maybe I need to disconnect the batteries? I have a box called an "Intelli Charge" inside the battery compartment, that I IMAGINED would monitor the batteries and stop any charge beyond optimum. Maybe not?

[SUMDALUS]

tgrichards,

All holding tank vents are normally on the roof of the RV. You usually don't smell the 'sewer' gas unless you are dumping your tanks.

If you look inside the compartment behind the 'vent', good probability you might see a flex tube (maybe 1.5 to 2 inch diameter) attached to the back side of the vent that runs down to the cover for your house battery box. (These are very common on 5th wheels).

This cover/tubing/vent set-up is designed to allow released hydrogen gas to vent to the atmosphere. The release of hydrogen gas, GASSING as it's called, is a natural part of the battery charging process. The vent is very important because hydrogen gas is rather volatile (remember the old Hindenberg story). Hydrogen gas also smells like sulphur/sulfur or rotten eggs. This might be what you are smelling.

If it is, I recommend that you make sure the cover is securely attached to the bottom of the battery box for safety sake.

{This foul smell also shows up when water is left in a closed up water heater and the RV is stored for a long period of time. This smell is typically noticed when opening a hot water tap at a sink after the RV is put back into service.}

Hope this helps.

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgrichards Wow, that is right in front of the battery compartment. Maybe! Can anyone else ID this vent? Maybe I need to disconnect the batteries? I have a box called an "Intelli Charge" inside the battery compartment, that I IMAGINED would monitor the batteries and stop any charge beyond optimum. Maybe not?

Looks like a battery vent to me.

Have you checked the water level in your batteries lately?

A good charger won't overcharge the batteries. BUT...if there is a bad cell, the charger will continue to work to try to charge that cell. Of course, it will overcharge the good cells in the process.

[TXiceman]

If it is next to the batteries, I would suspect the batteries are "cooking". Unhook the batteries until you can get the problem looked at. First check the water level in the batteries. Even with a 3 stage charger circuit, you need to check the batteries every 3 months.

Ken

[tgrichards]

You were completely correct. It turns out to be a battery compartment vent and the battery hooked to the vent was in fact cooking from one or more bad cells.

Thanks, all. It's a great help to have access to folks who know...whatever.
T&C