Battery acid leaking

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by chrisniclia1, Aug 20, 2017.

  1. Hi all
    I posted on here a while ago that my battery was leaking acid from the overflow. It seemed to have rectified itself, but been away for a couple of weeks ( not in the camper) and noticed corrosion in the battery tray again and when I put the battery on a charger it started leaking from the overflow.
    Has anyone any ideas why that could be?
    Checked the fluids on top of the electrodes and it does seem high, but not put any fluid in.
    Starts up ok
    Charges at 13.58 volts
    Hope someone can enlighten me as it's making a mess of the battery tray area now [​IMG]


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  2. Could be rainwater coming through the vents and getting into the battery
    This also happens when a battery is getting too high of a charging voltage
    What's your alternator kicking out at high rpm?
     
    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  3. Bhubesi

    Bhubesi Supporter

    Take the battery out, wash out with copious amount of water, then spread bi carb of soda around to kill the acid.
    Then sort out that battery.
    Tony
     
    paradox likes this.
  4. Hi Paradox
    I don't think it's coming in through the vents although I could be wrong, as I can't see where it could enter the battery ( although I could be wrong)
    When I put it on he car charger as per photo you can see the fluid coming out of the overflow .
    When it's on the van the alternator kicks out about 13.5 volts.
    Before I went on holiday it was going ok , holding its charge etc.
    I might take some of the excess fluid out of the battery, so it's just covering the electrodes and see if that solves it


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  5. It can seep in through the threads on the cell maintenance caps
     
    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  6. Bhubesi

    Bhubesi Supporter

    JUST covering the plates is the correct electrolyte level.
    Tony
     
    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  7. Cheers guys
    Help much appreciated
    I will take some of the electrolyte out as it is high


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  8. Overcharging perhaps.... fit a vent pipe to outside in the interim, but don't forget about it now you can't see it!
     
    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  9. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Take out the electrolyte when it is well charged and the weakest acid. Otherwise you will be reducing the capacity of the battery. In an ideal world you would remove excess fluid and add more acid to get the specific gravity correct for the electrolyte.
    In the old days they would sell you the acid. These days too many people are into throwing it around.
     
    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  10. Hi mikedjames
    Thanks for the info. I have removed some of the electrolyte from the battery,put it on a charger and there is no fluid coming out of the overflow now
    Just have to prime and paint the battery tray area again where the fluid has been
    Cheers much appreciated


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  11. I had just that, fluid coming out of the battery vent, caused by rainwater coming in via the air intakes and seeping in the battery plugs and therefore making the last four overfilled. Fluid would come out of the vent after switching off the engine as the heat rose inside the engine bay and battery. Solved by taking taking some of acid out to correct level in battery, fitting a tube to the vent and drilling a small hole in battery tray and pushing the tube through this to allow acid to flow out and also fitting a cover over the top of the battery. You must clean up the battery try with some baking powder to neutralise the acid etc. No more problem.
     
    chrisniclia1 and snotty like this.

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