Smelly leisure battery

[Mr Bean]

I had new glow plugs fitted to my T6 Ocean last week and now my leisure battery smells horrible (rotten eggs). Is there any connection between the two? Or is it a coincidence?

 

[Sad]

I can't see how one would cause the other, but that sounds very bad!! And something that needs sorting ASAP!!

 

[WelshGas]

I had new glow plugs fitted to my T6 Ocean last week and now my leisure battery smells horrible (rotten eggs). Is there any connection between the two? Or is it a coincidence?

Very likely a coincidence. How old are the leisure batteries?

A leisure battery emitting a sulphur or "rotten egg" smell indicates hydrogen sulfide gas is being released, typically due to overcharging, which can also make the battery hot and cause permanent damage. To address this dangerous situation, you should immediately disconnect the power source, ventilate the area, and allow the battery to cool down before removing it. The issue likely lies with the battery itself or the charger, which will need to be tested and potentially replaced by a specialist.
What the Smell Means

• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S):The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide gas, which is toxic and can be harmful.
• Overcharging or Battery Failure:The most common cause is a battery that is being overcharged by the charger or is failing internally, leading to offgassing and potential boiling of the electrolyte.
• Heat:The battery is likely getting hot to the touch, which is a sign of overcharging or internal damage.

 

[Kimbo]

Had a similar experience recently and I was told that the battery is made up of 6 cells of 2.1volts each, so if you disconnect it totally, you can test it with a voltmeter. If you measure 10.5volts for example,(5 x 2.1) this confirms that one of the cells is damaged and requires a battery replacement

 

[ThomasHJ]

I had new glow plugs fitted to my T6 Ocean last week and now my leisure battery smells horrible (rotten eggs). Is there any connection between the two? Or is it a coincidence?

Just to check: are you sure it's the leisure battery that stinks? We hardly ever use the sink/tap for anything other then brushing our teeth, but we've twice had the van suddenly stink heavily like rotten eggs and both times it turned out to be the sink/drainage. I guess something other then toothpaste and water went down the drain and made it stink. A good flush through with water and some denture clenaing tablets fixed the stench.

 

[Mr Bean]

Just to check: are you sure it's the leisure battery that stinks? We hardly ever use the sink/tap for anything other then brushing our teeth, but we've twice had the van suddenly stink heavily like rotten eggs and both times it turned out to be the sink/drainage. I guess something other then toothpaste and water went down the drain and made it stink. A good flush through with water and some denture clenaing tablets fixed the stench.

Thanks, I took it to a lovely van specialist who ran diagnostics and then suggested the sink might be the source of the smell.
Sure enough, I vented the waste tank and what came out was grey and very smelly. I’ve rinsed it through a couple of times and the smell is gone.
I’ve put 10 litres of water through the sink with a capful of bleach, to give it a bit more of a clean.

Rookie error/learning curve. ‍

 

[Resfeber]

Thanks, I took it to a lovely van specialist who ran diagnostics and then suggested the sink might be the source of the smell.
Sure enough, I vented the waste tank and what came out was grey and very smelly. I’ve rinsed it through a couple of times and the smell is gone.
I’ve put 10 litres of water through the sink with a capful of bleach, to give it a bit more of a clean.

Rookie error/learning curve. ‍

Best method is to keep the plug in when sink not in use, particularly if you have a window open when driving, as the pressure drop in the van draws air into the van via the waste overflow and waste tank
There is no “U” bend water trap in the sink waste to stop air reaching the van interior.