Battery boxes full of water

[KiltDog]

Just pulled my batteries for the winter. I was surprised to see the plastic boxes they were in were full of water despite the covers being on. I am thinking about drilling a couple of weep holes in the bottoms, but it got me wondering if it was normal. Could the water be from the batteries themselves? Seems like a lot of water considering the covers were on. Anything to worry about?

[Ustabslim]

Doesn't hurt anything but weep holes great idea.

[Ela1948]

If it came from your batteries it should be apparent when you check the electrolyte levels. If it turns out that it is coming from your batteries, I would be doing a voltage check on my converter. Its possible that your converter is malfunctioning.

[Crabman]

Most of the time it is rain water. Mine would fill up with water on the trailer and the boat, drilled a few holes in the bat boxes and no more water.

[CDavid]

My dealer drilled several holes in the bottom of the battery box to prevent this. Didn't even have to ask....I noticed after I got it home when looking things over.

[mcfarmall]

I wouldn't drill holes in the bottom 'cuz I don't want potentially corrosive water running down my trailer frame...just sayin'.

Even if it is just rain water, it still ran over the top of the battery and down the sides.

[Ustabslim]

The leaking batteries were in the old days. Modern batteries are sealed.

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

The leaking batteries were in the old days. Modern batteries are sealed.

I disagree. Not all "modern" batteries are sealed. Just because they don't have screw-on caps doesn't mean they are sealed. My OEM battery in my 2011 F-150 has removeable caps as well as the Exide battery I put in my Odyssey last month. The caps are rectangular and flush with the top of the battery. A little pry with a small screwdriver and they pop right off so you can check the electrolyte levels.

[qwed94]

Regardless, these battery boxes are vented at the top. PS-all batteries should be vented. Anyway, these vents are at the top of the boxes, and rain water certainly weeps in. We get battery boxes full of water every day. Remove the battery, drill some holes, enjoy the trailer. PS-drill the holes in the middle and on the sides. You wont get battery acid on your frame.

Remember that when battery acid leaks, it causes that nasty corrosion that forms around the terminals. It wont leak down and corrode your frame. Even if it did. Thats why God provided us with paint.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

The leaking batteries were in the old days. Modern batteries are sealed.

Ummmm no. Still PLENTY of flooded cell batteries out there, including EVERY group 24 Interstate multi-purpose installed at the dealership where I bought my trailer. Also used extensively in boats around here. I'm surprised you didn't get a standard Interstate dual purpose on yours? Didn't you get your trailer from Crestview?

[Ustabslim]

I haven't looked at what battery I have?
I need to check

[Paintinfool3]

mine wwas full of water too ... drilled two holes in bottom and problem solved

[Camper_bob]

Putting 4 holes in my batt box was one of the first things I did when I got my trailer. It rained like crazy the first night we stayed in it (in our driveway). Next morning, battery box was full of water, made quick work of it, no longer worried about it...

[KiltDog]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I'm going to dril some weep holes after I check the water level in the batteries. Hopefully, it's just rainwater.

[Jagiven]

Drill a couple ¼” holes in the low points. Also drill a couple extra (in the low points and use some machine screws (tex screw) with washers and secure the box to the battery tray. Make sure the screw heads are low so the battery does not rub on the heads. As secured box means when the cheap strap breaks your battery does not fall of the TT as you are driving down the road.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Drill a couple ¼” holes in the low points. Also drill a couple extra (in the low points and use some machine screws (tex screw) with washers and secure the box to the battery tray. Make sure the screw heads are low so the battery does not rub on the heads. As secured box means when the cheap strap breaks your battery does not fall of the TT as you are driving down the road.

I just replaced the cheap strap that was included with a higher quality one with a buckle that's quicker and easier to deal with. Since I remove my battery when in storage, I got tired of monkeying around with that cheap POS it came with.

[33 RLDS]

I'm with Mcfarmall. The idea of a battery box is to contain acid it the event of a crack or overcharge situation. I wont be drilling holes in mine. I can soak up whatever may be in there when I pull the battery for the winter.

[Iraqvet05]

Modern cars and trucks don't have a battery box, they have a tray and a hold-down so why a battery box on the TT? I also drill holes after finding my battery half submerged in water once. If memory serves me correctly, the terminals on my battery sit below the top of the battery box so if the battery box went unchecked long enough the water could go over the top of the battery and short it out.

[ninjahbob]

Once rust attaches itself to your frame the rest is history. Whatever you do don't allow water from the battery area to run to your frame!

[Big Sky]

I would guess it's rain water. Mine often have water in them. I've thought of drilling a few weep holes. Probably should have last week, when I pulled the batteries for maintenance. But I just put them all back on the tongue.