Bubbling batteries.

[mestrezat]

I just checked my batteries(6 volt lead acid) and found them bubbling a bit when I took off the caps even though there was no charger running at the time. Don't remember ever seeing that before. They are on their last legs after an electrical failure at the marina where I am(Philippines). Planning on replacing soon anyway but thought the bubbling was a bit bizarre.
I know this will bring about a series of huge conversations(like asking who to vote for President)but are Trojans good batteries. Not much available out here that is reputable with a decent warranty that might be covered worldwide.

[CaptTom]

Trojans are considered a good brand, and probably have a large dealer network for warranty work.

If they're not charging, I wouldn't expect the batteries to be bubbling, unless the charging just stopped and the bubbles haven't all gotten to the top yet.

If you have a good 6V golf-cart style battery, they can survive some deep cycling and may still be OK, if not 100% like new. If they take and hold a charge, you might get another season out of them. That said, batteries don't get any better over time. If there's any doubt, new batteries are the way to go.

[Zil]

a day or two out is not a good place to change the house bank.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by mestrezat

I just checked my batteries(6 volt lead acid) and found them bubbling a bit when I took off the caps even though there was no charger running at the time. Don't remember ever seeing that before. They are on their last legs after an electrical failure at the marina where I am(Philippines). Planning on replacing soon anyway but thought the bubbling was a bit bizarre.
I know this will bring about a series of huge conversations(like asking who to vote for President)but are Trojans good batteries. Not much available out here that is reputable with a decent warranty that might be covered worldwide.

If they are bubbling off absent any charge being applied, they have an internal short that is generating the necessary heat and are accordingly beyond rescue. Trojans are excellent batteries assuming you are able to obtain real Trojans and not Chinese knockoffs where you are.

N'any case, good luck!

[zboss]

I am having a similar problem. My vessel is on the hard and I had everything turned off this week... the alternator and the power cable is the only way to charge the batts. The engine hadn't been run and the power cable was stored for the week. All breakers off, etc...

When I lifted the cover where the batteries are stored, I noticed that one battery had some fluid on the top. When I took the fill cover off, I noticed it was bubbling. The other two batteries looked fine.

This just happened today. Deka Master Marine DC27's

- z