Battery Smell and Access Problem - 21C

[Vermilye]

Escape has used a number of different battery boxes. My 2017 21C used a long, narrow box that held the 2 6V batteries "end to end" rather than "side to side". It had the same problem if trying to fill the left most cell of the left battery; I added a watering system.

All gone now - I converted to lithium...

[kym]

We have a 2017 5.0TA. Regarding access to check fluid levels in our U shaped dinette it is not possible to see the last few cells for fluid level check or to easily top up (2 6 V batteries). I drilled another hole in the plywood seat above the hidden cells large enough to see the cells with caps off and also large enough to allow a battery hydrometer to pass. With a flash light into the hole I can easily see the fluid levels in the cells as I add using the hydrometer after drawing distilled water from its container with the hydrometer. Cost $0 as I already had the hydrometer, no spilling and easily topped to the correct level.

[skiman]

I replaced the battery box weather strip with automotive type years ago. False alarms on propane detector went away and I don't get any odor. That said, other issues might be going on to cause odors.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[LRL]

Originally Posted by JohnP

Following the response from Escape, I removed the lid of the bench. The opening from the edge of the plywood to the edge of the battery box is ~10". The width of the battery is at least 12", which doesn't fit through the opening. How have other 21C owners removed the battery from the box? Thanks for any advice!

I trimmed the wood so that the battery would fit through. It was fairly easy to do, and allowed me to change out the flooded batteries with AGM's.