Water in Battery Box

[Cattail]

I pull a 2019 Keystone Bullet 210RUDWE that came with a dealer-furnished 12V Group 24 closed cell battery in a snap top battery box behind the propane tanks on the trailer tongue. When I checked the battery yesterday, the battery box was full of water. When I removed the battery from the box, about 3" of water remained in the bottom. I didn't notice any water in the box when I disconnected the ground cable from the negative battery post 2 1/2 weeks ago when we returned from our last trip. Is water accumulation inside the battery box common? Any ideas?

[Steveo57]

I have found water in mine too. I just drilled a few small drain holes to let the water drain out if it gets in.

[Canonman]

Not normal in my experience. With the ground disconnected it isn't likely (couldn't happen) that the battery boiled over from over charging. The battery boxes aren't water tight, but for 3" of water to get inside the box, something had to happen.
Did you look back at the weather history for a significant rain event? Maybe the way the TT is parked, water could run down the front cap and somehow splash up into the box??
Really grabbing at straws here:)

[chuckster57]

What type of lid is your box? Some have two “grills” for venting and allow water to get into the box. Others have a “hood” over the vents that keep water out.

Water in the box isn’t common, and it’s NOT from the battery.

[fourfourto]

I have found water in mine too. I just drilled a few small drain holes to let the water drain out if it gets in.

X2 normal
put a little baking soda in water if you think its acid .

[Cattail]

I do have two hooded grills on top of the battery box. So, my working hypothesis is that rainwater falling on top of the box splashed into the box through those grills. I have drilled four drain holes in the bottom of the box and will attempt to devise a contraption to keep rainwater off the top of the box altogether. Thanks again.

[sourdough]

The only time I have ever had water in my battery box is when a battery boiled over; that doesn't appear to be the case for you. Mine have the "hoods" over the vents and are under a cowl behind the propane tanks so rain doesn't affect them. It sounds like yours are accumulating rain or moisture thru your vents and those drain holes you made will probably rectify the problem.

[Ken / Claudia]

I think we get about 24 inches yearly rain fall. I need to drill holes in all outside battery boxes or they fill with rain water.

[Logan X]

I had rain water in mine. I drilled holes in the bottom of the boxes and have not had any more problems with it

[Tbos]

Both of my Passport TTS had cents in the top of the battery box that allowed rain to come in. A few holes drilled in the bottom solved the issue.

[linux3]

Both of my Passport TTS had cents in the top of the battery box that allowed rain to come in. A few holes drilled in the bottom solved the issue.

Same issue. I drilled a couple of holes and put down a Scotch brite pad then put the battery back. The pads just keep dust and such from getting in the holes. Or maybe I worry about nothing.

[flookk]

I have found water in mine too. I just drilled a few small drain holes to let the water drain out if it gets in.I had the dealer install an additional battery box in my used Sprinter before I picked it up. His price for the additional battery connected in parallel was a bit rich so I received it with one box empty. Noticed an inch of water in both boxes a week later. The small drain holes worked like a charm.

[PKONolan]

Yes, I also get water in mine which is an aftermarket plastic box with 12 volt outlets on the side and a battery status panel on top (neither of which are waterproof). As with all plastic boxes I have seen, the battery has vent slots in the top to release any hydrogen that escapes from the battery (that’s why they are in the top since hydrogen is very light).

I just check mine periodically and neutralize it (since it is acidic) and discard it appropriately. I thought about drain holes too but it occurred to me that the water is acidic and likely has some small amount of lead in it (which is a metal toxic to humans and animals, especially aquatic life). I decided not to seal up the vent holes since also, if acid comes out of the so-called sealed battery, is there any doubt hydrogen comes out too? (Even though battery makers claim their systems re-absorb the hydrogen that is created during charging).

Unless your battery bottom case is cracked, the water won’t hurt it.

[Qwerty]

Yep, when we purchased ours, I noticed that an alarming horde of thirsty skeeters would greet me. Holes drilled, blood saved. :)

[RichR]

A couple strips of electrical tape over the vent holes makes a good temporary fix. The drilled holes work best.

[DJ&JA]

Our trailer had been at a Camping World facility for three months when I finally took it back to fix the remaining issues myself. When doing a walk around I stopped at the battery box on a gut feeling. Opened it up and it was full up to the top with water. The battery was dead as well when I tested the slide out nothing happened. This had been a battle from the beginning so I marked the battery with an X on top with my pocket knife.


Back in the building we go over things again and they will have the face frame material drop shipped to me so I can install the cook top properly myself and I mention the battery box full of water. Nobody has an explanation but say they will put a new battery in.


Fifteen minutes later they tell me all is good to go. I walk out to my trailer and look in the battery box and drain holes have been drilled in it so the water is on the ground below and there is power to the tongue jack but my X is still on the battery. I figure they put a 15 minute charge on it and I would never know the difference.



Well I have learned a lot about Camping World since that time and most of it is not good. Anyway, that is my water in the battery box story. I did get the new battery in the end.

[tlist809]

I pull a 2019 Keystone Bullet 210RUDWE that came with a dealer-furnished 12V Group 24 closed cell battery in a snap top battery box behind the propane tanks on the trailer tongue. When I checked the battery yesterday, the battery box was full of water. When I removed the battery from the box, about 3" of water remained in the bottom. I didn't notice any water in the box when I disconnected the ground cable from the negative battery post 2 1/2 weeks ago when we returned from our last trip. Is water accumulation inside the battery box common? Any ideas?
Mine did the same thing after a driving rain. Don't drill holes in the box, it defeats the reason for the box which is to hole the contents of the batter if it should break and leak (and if you are driving, the battery acid will fly up on your RV, or sitting still, contaminate the area). Instead, block the vents on the top of the box (it has plenty of ventilation where the cables come in). I

[pstltaz]

I've had water in mine. Like others, I drilled 5 holes. One in middle and one in each corner. No more issues.

[flybouy]

Can't help but make a few points here based based on logic and my experiences.

1. If the battery box is full of water it's most likely rain water.
2. IF the battery box is full of acid that's only possible if the battery case has cracked and leaked or a serious overcharged condition exists. If your unsure remove the battery cap and take a look.
3. The battery box function on an rv is where the battery is not enclosed is strictly to secure the battery and protect the battery from the elements. Your truck, cars with batteries not in trunk, lawn tractors etc don't have battery boxes..
4. The water/acid in a battery will not contain lead past trace amounts.
5. Rainwater typically enters via the vents in the cover. Those vents are there for the exchange of air if the box is used in an enclosed area, ie inside a boat or an enclosed battery compartment. When a battery is charging the water {H2O) will split into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The Hydrogen is very explosive so it needs to be vented from potential ignition sources such as an electrical spark.
6. The easiest remedy for water collection in an exposed battery box is to drill a drain hole in the bottom. If you are concerned about the drained water exiting your battery box you could install a drain and hose. Google "bait tank drain" to find one.
JMHO, YMMV

[Bechard]

My Keystone Bullet Crossfire (2200BHS) has water getting into the battery box too. It's certainly coming in from rain, likely due to the battery wires where they go into the top rear of the box.

I'll be drilling some drain holes this spring when I bring the battery back out for the season.