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Old 11-10-2015, 08:18 PM   #1
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House batteries

While checking my two 12 volt house batteries I noticed that one of the batteries side was very warm to the touch. We have not moved to coach for several weeks but keep it plugged in to 50 amp outlet at the house. I have never felt this before. Would this indicate a battery going bad? The sticker shows 02/13
Thanks for any info
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Old 11-10-2015, 08:25 PM   #2
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Turn off the charger/converter or disconnect the shore power. Wait an hour, then check if water levels in the batteries are correct.
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Old 11-10-2015, 08:35 PM   #3
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I will try that thanks
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Old 11-11-2015, 10:43 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StuartCaw View Post
While checking my two 12 volt house batteries I noticed that one of the batteries side was very warm to the touch. We have not moved to coach for several weeks but keep it plugged in to 50 amp outlet at the house. I have never felt this before. Would this indicate a battery going bad? The sticker shows 02/13
Thanks for any info
StuartCaw,
Well Sir, first off, is this the first time you've noticed that kind of heat, when touching that same spot on that same battery? Do you do this kind of check on a regular basis? Trying to establish some history here. And, I'm assuming you have some panel inside the coach, that tells you what the current voltage of your house batteries is, while on shore power. And, not that it matters all that much but, what's your chassis battery voltage at the same time?

And, what, may I ask is, the charging system for your house batteries? You don't state the year/make/model/engine of your coach so, trying to assume or, help you if:
1. Your house battery charging system is malfunctioning or,
2. You in fact, do have a bad cell in one of your house batteries

With all I'm asking or advising, we get a more complete picture of your system to ascertain if something is malfunctioning or, maybe not bad at all and it's just warm (the battery).
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Old 11-11-2015, 10:47 AM   #5
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StuartCaw,
Well Sir, first off, is this the first time you've noticed that kind of heat, when touching that same spot on that same battery? Do you do this kind of check on a regular basis? Trying to establish some history here. And, I'm assuming you have some panel inside the coach, that tells you what the current voltage of your house batteries is, while on shore power. And, not that it matters all that much but, what's your chassis battery voltage at the same time?

And, what, may I ask is, the charging system for your house batteries? You don't state the year/make/model/engine of your coach so, trying to assume or, help you if:
1. Your house battery charging system is malfunctioning or,
2. You in fact, do have a bad cell in one of your house batteries

With all I'm asking or advising, we get a more complete picture of your system to ascertain if something is malfunctioning or, maybe not bad at all and it's just warm (the battery).
Fire up is right. Don't fix it until you know if it's broke.
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Old 11-11-2015, 04:24 PM   #6
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Ok I have a2007 Newmar canyon star on a workhorse chassis and 8.1 L engine. No I had not felt the side of the battery before. My slide would not open and I have found a loose cable on the battery has been the problem. I in plugged shore power before I went to work and when I got home I was reading less than 9 volts (2-12 volt batteries for the house). Well I checked the water and it was very low so I put distiller water in to the base of the neck. My question now have I damaged the batteries beyond them coming back to full charge Exile stowaway deep cycle24MDCST
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Old 11-11-2015, 06:57 PM   #7
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If the battery was warm to touch then that could be very bad.

If only a small spot was warm there could be current flow only there.

Get a hydrometer and check all cells.

Too many unknowns to correctly guess and that is the best anyone can do remotely.

What was the charging voltage and how long since loaded was battery being charged?

While battery is being charged do all cells bubble same?

You can measure cell voltage by just touching the water in each cell with a digital volt meter.

Touch ground with one lead then other lead just touch the water in the closest cell and you should read about 2 volts, write down the exact number.

Now shift and touch the water in that cell and the next one.

Write this down then repeat for the rest.

The end cells may read different so if reading is zero then measure to opposite end and subtract but you will figure it out.

All cells should be very close to the same.

If one is higher or lower than the rest by more than the average then it is likely toast.

Say they read from 2.20 to 2.25 and one reads 2.3 or 1.9 those are indicating possible bad cells.

The specific gravity may read full charge on all cells but the voltage will give another item to compare.

Remember to just touch the liquid in the cell and rinse probes well when finished.

If you are worried about the probes into the acid locate some solder and use it as a lead as they ate lead based but standard leads are just fine for the 2 seconds they are exposed.
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Old 11-15-2015, 02:36 PM   #8
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StuartCaw,

You have some good advice, but unless I missed it, nobody told you to disconnect the paralleled batteries right NOW.

After they have both cooled, check the terminal voltage on both. If they are different, you have a problem. If they are the same, then charge them both to full density and check them again.

I also doubt that things are good.

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Old 11-16-2015, 02:54 PM   #9
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You might post the make and model of your converter, The fact you have two 12 volt batteries tends to suggests the Manufacturer was not all that interested in a 1st class 12 volt system.(Only Suggests, need converter make/model to convict).

But since your question was does this indicate ...MIGHT.. the answer is always yes. of course MIGHT NOT also applies.
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