Battery getting hot

[Tallguy]

Hello, I have a 2016 Eagle 5th wheel which stays in a campground seasonal. I noticed this morning while in my battery compartment that the battery is warm/hot to the touch. The charge wizard indicates it's in storage mode with the LED blinking once every 8 seconds, the battery is an Interstate HD27MDC-1 installed 2021.
I was hoping someone could answer a few questions for me.

How do I safely disconnect the battery for replacement so I do not cause damage to the load center? Do I need to use the battery disconnect ?

Do I even need a battery? The RV is always connected to shore power and we will not be leaving the campground.

Thanks for your help !

[Ann-Marie]

An unusually warm battery usually indicates that one of the cells has died and the charging source is continuously trying to charge a bad battery. You can often run your hand along the side and feel which cell is the culprit.

For replacing you should turn off your main battery switch and turn off the charging source.

You may be able to run without a battery depending on the type of charging source. A majority of chargers need a battery for stability and will not even supply 12 volts unless a battery is connected to it.

[Chainfall78]

Interesting. This weekend my deep cycle batt on my 21 HT got over 200 degrees. I thought I was smelling propane leak but discovered it was battery off gassing.
The battery was showing 13.2 volts.
Is it possible the converter was overcharging?

[Rustic Eagle]

Tallguy,

Welcome to JOF

Here is another active JOF thread on the same subject that may be helpful:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...t-94866-5.html

Bob

[Ann-Marie]

Originally Posted by Chainfall78

Interesting. This weekend my deep cycle batt on my 21 HT got over 200 degrees. I thought I was smelling propane leak but discovered it was battery off gassing.
The battery was showing 13.2 volts.
Is it possible the converter was overcharging?

No, nothing wrong with the converter, just a bad battery.

[jetlag]

Ok, before you get deep into this, read the thread I am linking here. I had the same identical issue with our '21 Pinnacle and interstate sealed batteries. I am presuming you have these as well If so, read on.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...hot-94866.html

This was my post to this member on this thread

jetlag
Senior Member

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Join Date: May 2021
Location: Vanceboro
Posts: 964
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman_ks View Post
Well, something else is going on.


Our '21 Pinnacle did the same thing last fall after having it for a little over a month. Here is my take on your issue. I had the same batteries as you. Dealer was not aware their shop had installed those in the camper. He said he had issues before with the sealed batteries not having enough water in them from the factory. My battery compartment got so hot you couldn't touch the metal shelf above. One of the batteries vented in the compartment, and a sharp- eyed member on this site noticed it. I have a thread on it somewhere. There was nothing wrong with the camper. Our dealer is 300+ miles away, so I took them off and had them tested at the nearest Interstate distributor almost 50 miles away. They tested fine, although still hot, and they commented on this fact, yet he would not replace them under warranty. he actually said if I replaced them with regular flooded units, they would resell these!! I bought regular flooded Interstate replacement batteries, and all has been well since. Dealer did reimburse me for the cost. I tested temps in the compartment as high as 195-200F. I am pretty sure this is your problem. Took me days to get this sorted out.

We also have solar installed, so that threw another wrench in the equation, but as I said, I highly doubt there is anything wrong with your electrical system, those Interstate sealed batteries are low on water from the factory. Our dealer said his local interstate Rep didn't like the sealed units either.
__________________
2021 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2021 Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS, Andersen Ultimate Hitch

[Chainfall78]

Ok, I've read enough. To the dealer in the morning with battery under my arm

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Tallguy

Hello, I have a 2016 Eagle 5th wheel which stays in a campground seasonal. I noticed this morning while in my battery compartment that the battery is warm/hot to the touch. The charge wizard indicates it's in storage mode with the LED blinking once every 8 seconds, the battery is an Interstate HD27MDC-1 installed 2021.
....

When did you buy/install this battery in 2021?

The thread linked in this thread about hot batteries is mine, and I have confirmed this evening, that it was indeed a bad batteries. For us, fortunately, Interstate replaced ours free of charge, which shocked me, but they are working as they should now...

Good luck!!

[Tallguy]

Thanks everyone for the support. I replaced the battery and all is good now, cool to the touch.

[Tallguy]

After replacing the battery all is good now. New one is cool to the touch a week after install.

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by Tallguy

After replacing the battery all is good now. New one is cool to the touch a week after install.

That's great!! Glad yours is fixed!

We've been out camping for 5 days, and batteries are ambient all the time, and charging properly...

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by Tallguy

After replacing the battery all is good now. New one is cool to the touch a week after install.

Glad to hear. I was certain it was the battery

[Chainfall78]

Swapped my battery out at the dealer. No problems. Battery is ambient temp