Dead battery, container full of water

[Tbos]

My 2014 238ML has a dead battery after 6 weeks without being used. Is this normal? Is there a way to make it last longer? I also noticed the battery container is full of water. Do I need to drill a drain whole in the bottom of the container? Thanks in advance.

[chuckster57]

When you park your trailer, there are draws on the battery unless it is completely disconnected. Radios "hold" preset stations, time on the clock. LP leak detectors are always on.

Your options are to use/ install a battery disconnect, isolating the battery from the RV or keep the battery on a charger.
You can leave the RV plugged in, or install solar.

Battery box full of water? I don't have an answer, but make sure the battery hasn't split open and drained into the box.

[JRTJH]

The "parasitic drains" mentioned above will discharge a fully charged battery in a relatively short time frame. I'm very surprised that you say your battery "lasted 6 weeks". Usually, a dual battery system will only last 3 or 4 weeks before being completely discharged.

As for water in the battery box, when we lived in Louisiana, my battery box ( the normal type with the top that fits over the bottom with open side vents around the top) would fill with water after several heavy rains. As stated, make sure your battery is not leaking, then remove the battery, pour out the water, dry both and reinstall.

Some may suggest drilling holes in the bottom, that is a "convenient way" not to have to deal with accumulated water, but if you did ever have a battery split and the acid leak into the battery box, your "convenience holes" would allow the acid to damage your trailer frame. If it were an extended period of time before you noticed, the damage may be significant. I'd suggest that pouring water from the battery box is a "small price to pay" for protecting the metal frame of your RV from acid damage.

[Tbos]

Thank you. I'll have to look into a battery disconnect. Any suggestions on where to get a good one?

[chuckster57]

Quality disconnects should be available at most any auto parts, marine, or RV store. Marinco is a well known brand.

[Barbell]

I got one from NAPA; one from O'Rielly. Depends on what kind of battery posts/terminals you have. My problem was solved when I put one on each terminal and remembered to disconnect them when I park the rig.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Tbos

My 2014 238ML has a dead battery after 6 weeks without being used. Is this normal? Is there a way to make it last longer? I also noticed the battery container is full of water. Do I need to drill a drain whole in the bottom of the container? Thanks in advance.

My trailer has a battery disconnect on the road side where the water, cable, outside shower, etc. connects. Your 2014 might already have one???

[Tbos]

Desert 185, I've looked but have not found one on the TT. I wish it did.

[JRTJH]

Tbos,

Our Springdale didn't have a battery cutoff switch, so I built one and mounted it on the bulkhead behind the battery boxes. You can see it in the picture attached. Essentially, it's a plastic outdoor electrical junction box, a "red key" battery switch and 6 gage battery cables. I drilled out the bottom conduit hole, inserted the wires, connected them to the switch terminals, drilled a 1/2" hole in the box cover, mounted the switch in that hole, screwed the box cover to the box and used silicone to seal the hole where the cables entered the box. It was waterproof, worked for the 3+ years we had the Springdale and cost less than $20 to build (at the time) Now it would probably be $25 to build.

You could mount it on the forward crossmember behind he battery box, turn it on when needed, turn it off and remove the key when in storage. That would completely remove your battery from the circuits.

Here's a link to the two major components:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_130898-427-P...etInfo=Hubbell TayMac

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...ttery-isolator

[Tbos]

Thanks I appreciate the suggestions.

[Micah.TX]

Bought a new Passport 2890RL. Immediately found the battery box full of water, too. Drilled small drain holes in the bottom that do not come near the frame. Also, pull the battery when not in use. Will probably get a battery tender plus to keep it charged when not in use.

[bmach]

Just replace your battery box with one that does not have the vent holes in the cover. You could also just seal the vents.