Morning everyone,
I’m sure they covered and vented for a reason,
BUT, how necessary are the covers and vents on a sealed 12 volt battery? I just think it is easier to visually see my connections if the batteries are open. My batteries are 3.5 years old, and only hold a charge of 13.4 on my Magnum Energy meter when plugged into 50 amp shore power. New batteries list 14.7.
When we travel and put out slides, and level we don’t have enough battery power to start generator.
YES I understand I should have started the generator before anything else, but I didn’t realize batteries were that bad.
Please advise as to the importance of the battery covers. Thanks in advance. We have a 2015 39 MB2 and this will be our first battery replacement on Deep cycle Marine Interstate batteries.

Allen - lead/acid batteries give off hydrogen and oxygen while charging. Hydrogen has an extreme explosive range, which isn't a good combination with the electronics & motor in the same compartment.

I agree it is a pain working with the covers but I consider them a necessary evil.

When I replace the batteries next time I will research alternative options that don't vent hydrogen.

You may also want to consider using true deep cycle batteries and not marine/RV batteries when you do your replacement. If you don't want to use covers, you can use AGM type deep cycle batteries, but they're pricy.

Will look into other alternatives as well. Thanks for responding.

battery voltage is not 100% of a battery's condition , The batterys need to be disconnected from each other and load tested . Before doing this I would suggest going into the Magnum remote and going into the TECH area and telling it to equalize the battery then charge them as a pair. After the absorption charge is complete (14.7V then it backs off to a lower rate) then disconnect and load test them. Your going to find out if you have one dead cell in one of the 2 battery's this way. Also make sure your Magnum isn't taking a back set to the progressive charger , turn it off by the breaker > the Magnum is a much better charger! I don't turn the charger on at the breaker box unless I am pulling the slides in or moving the landing gear the magnum inverter does all the charging and day to day upkeep on the battery's . Check your Magnum owners manual and go through all the programing parameter to make sure its set up for the type and compacity of the battery's your using OR change to.

I upgraded tothe Lifeline AGM's on my last Redwood and kept the lid on them... I will be putting those in this Redwood in a week or so and was thinking of NOT re attaching the vents...

I am pretty sure, but not 100% that AGM's are ok NOT TO BE VENTED...???????

Most AGM are NON-Vented , check with the manufacture to be sure.

AGM's need not be in a ventilated area. You can mount a half dozen of them under your bed if that's what you want to do. You also don't have to check or add water to them, just keep the connections clean.

I think that it would still be a good idea to have some sort of cover over the batteries. Just a safety thing to keep anything from shorting across the terminals

Good Point Michelle, never thought about it that way

I was working up behind the dash of a car and got my ring across 12V and ground, dug up my hand pulling it out that quick, plus the burn where the ring was. Now when working on any voltage, remove rings, watch, and anything else conductive.

Agree thanks

Definitely something to watch out for. So easy to cross and don't realize till the sparks fly. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

simple quick fix , Home Depot sells a sheet of plastic that looks like corrugated cardboard . Its light weight and non-concuctice , few long wire ties to keep in over the top of the battery.