Corrosion under battery box on Scamp 16 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 10-29-2015, 12:41 AM   #1
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Corrosion under battery box on Scamp 16

I noticed some corrosion on the frame support under the battery box on my 6 mo. old Scamp 16. I am supposing it comes from the battery box having air vents on the top (what's up with that?) so that water gets in and then drains out at the bolt holes in the bottom. I think I can just take it apart, clean the corrosion, touchup paint, replace any non stainless bolts with stainless, and plug the top air vents in the battery box. I don't think the battery is leaking but I'll find out when I take the battery box off.
Just wondered if anyone has thoughts or opinions about the situation.
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Old 10-29-2015, 12:47 AM   #2
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Have you considered that the air vents might be there for a reason?
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Old 10-29-2015, 01:08 AM   #3
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Batteries usually do not leak unless the case gets cracked. They can "boil over'' if they are overcharged so check your inverter or the battery may have been overfilled . A cracked case is unlikely. Clean up the mess and repaint the rusted areas. Check your battery voltage with a meter when it's being charged.
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Old 10-29-2015, 03:44 AM   #4
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I replaced my battery box anchoring bolts with SS too, but batteries need ventilation. I would not recommend sealing off vents. The zinc bolts are likely your corrosion cause. If battery was leaking or cracked I'd think you'd notice cracks in housing or crud on terminals. You can take deep cycle batteries to autozone for testing if need be.


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Old 10-29-2015, 10:57 AM   #5
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I put a couple of holes in the bottom of the box so the water would drain out.

If you are old enough to remember to old VW Beatles with the battery under the back seat that set on the floor, well if not maintained the floor pan under the battery would rust out and once weakened enough and you hit a big enough bump, the battery would fall out through the floor.

Go to your auto parts store and purchase a set of those red and green felt pads that are placed over the battery terminals and they help to prevent crosion.
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Old 10-29-2015, 12:02 PM   #6
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There is a spray can of battery terminal protector / corrosion inhibitor available. CRC is one brand. Used it all the time in the truck shop.
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Old 10-29-2015, 01:08 PM   #7
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The vent holes on top of the battery box are there because, as a battery charges, it gives off hydrogen gas. Those vents NEED to be there, and not plugged up, sealed over, or in any way obstructed from doing their job. If you can remember back to high school chemistry, hydrogen is lighter than air, and so it rises. These vents help to dissipate any H2 gas before enough can accumulate, which could result in an explosion. Hydrogen is very flammable. Remember the Hindenberg blimp? "Oh! The humanity!"
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Old 10-29-2015, 03:49 PM   #8
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Our batteries are inside in a box and they have hoses that go to an exterior vent.
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Old 10-29-2015, 03:51 PM   #9
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My sons battery in the trunk of his Miata Exploded. Something ignited the gas.
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Old 10-29-2015, 09:56 PM   #10
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Thanks for the comments. Regarding the air vents, the lid of the battery box is not a sealed lid and has a lot of room for air to circulate, including two large access paths for cables. Those cable paths do not let rain in however. I would say this battery box is just not intended for outside exposure.
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Old 10-29-2015, 10:03 PM   #11
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So air enters the cable paths and exits through the vents, taking the lighter than air gas with it.
Before plugging them, ask yourself why else would the manufacturer put them there?
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Old 10-30-2015, 07:45 AM   #12
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If a battery "boils over" the likely cause is adding water to the battery in a discharged state. If the water is low and the battery is discharged the water should only be added to cover the plates and then charged. The "water" or more properly electrolyte will gain volume as the battery is charged . If the battery is filled to the "correct" level when discharged it is very likely to overflow or 'boil over".
Charge the battery and the add water to bring it up to level afterwards.
When the battery is mistreated in this manner the "boiled over" electrolyte carries out the acid and the next time water is added the electrolyte is more dilute.
A battery with the proper amount water will out gas, but not boil over (usually).
At least it won't unless very abused.
Many, many people don't know this about filling batteries and improper serviceing shortens the life of the battery and causes many corrosion issues.
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Old 10-30-2015, 01:36 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darwin Maring View Post
My sons battery in the trunk of his Miata Exploded. Something ignited the gas.
Volkswagon batteries under the back seat would explode if the plastic protector was taken off (or not installed on) of the positive post. Someone would sit in the right back seat and the springs would short the battery to ground. BOOM!!!
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Old 11-04-2015, 05:32 PM   #14
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My battery box had about 3 inches of water in it when I noticed it. It's a poor design but drilling holes made it right. The bolts also rusted so I removed all of it and scraped off the rust and sprayed the frame with rust eliminator then I repainted the entire A frame.
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Old 07-25-2017, 02:53 PM   #15
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Please help ~ Is this battery a goner??

This battery shows it was purchased in Nov. 2015. I was about to check the water in it but, when I removed the top of the holder, this is what I found.

Please help me out.
Should I pour baking soda on it before trying to brush off the corrosion?
Should I unhook the terminals before doing anything?
Do the wires also need replacing?
Should I replace the hardware with stainless stuff?

I haven't noticed any battery operated stuff going haywire, but I'm not even sure I've used the battery ~ only been out for one night in the trailer so far, and was plugged in to 120v.

Thanks very much for any advice.
Judy
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Old 07-25-2017, 03:17 PM   #16
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Nothing needs to be replaced. Just clean everything up with a wire brush.
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Old 07-25-2017, 03:50 PM   #17
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Pick up a battery brush to clean inside the terminals at any auto parts store.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/l.../11120/4413369

You'd be better off removing the terminals before trying to clean things.
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:16 PM   #18
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Nothing needs to be replaced. Just clean everything up with a wire brush.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1 View Post
Pick up a battery brush to clean inside the terminals at any auto parts store.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/l.../11120/4413369

You'd be better off removing the terminals before trying to clean things.
-----------------------------------------------
Thanks very much, folks. I'm about to tackle this. 😰
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:36 PM   #19
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They sell a battery terminal sealer to prevent this, might be worth picking up a can and spraying the terminals and posts before putting it back together, I haven't had much luck with petroleum jelly. There is also a spray on cleaner but I have no experience with it.
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:58 PM   #20
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Use the baking soda first to clean, after using a wire brush put some dielectric grease on the posts.
Another thing if you have not looked at the battery till now it would be a good idea to check the levels in the battery cells.
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