TM battery ?

[yellowdog]

I have a Minn Kota Riptide 24v TM. The two batteries are mounted under the front deck with the Minn Kota on board battery charger. I noticed the battery charger had what appeared to be a residue on it from the batteries. Apparantly the water from the batteries is coming out during operation(not charging) and getting on the charger. The charger is mounted on the rear wall of the front deck approx 4 inches from the batteries. One connection on one of the batteries has some electrical residue buildup on it. Going to clean it today. The connections don't get hot, but what causes the fluid to come out of the batteries? Checked while fishing yesterday and two of the caps on the batteries were a little loose. Pushed them back down. Don't know if they came loose during the running of the boat or the fluid had pressure and pushed them up. Any ideas what could be causing this? Something to worry about?

[boogieblues50]

Hi
Your problem is the number one reason to buy sealed battery's for up front and anywhere else on a boat.NO LEAKAGE or fumes...Be carefull storing anything like cushions or clothes or towels in the front they will end up with holes in them...The only other problem you will have is more maintinence and cleaning them up and checking their level.I installed two Odyssey 31's one on each side and mounted a 3 bank charger in the middle like you.Hopefully I will not have to do anything for the next 5 or 6 years but plug the bank charger up.....BoogieBlues

[sportskiff]

hey yellowdog,
1. make sure the caps are on tight
2. the fluid (acid) will slosh around a bit
3. the corrosion is kept in check with a dielectric grease ( or disc brake grease-hi temp stuff) It doesn't have to be gooped on, a thin layer will work fine.
4 these lead-acid batts are vented (usually) and expell the fumes into the front deck area, sometimes having undesirible effects, though I run 2 mk 31 minkota's under the front, I have not personally had any undesirible effects from them, YET. Please post pics of your install if you haven't already.........
my 2 cents worth.....
Reggie

[yellowdog]

Thanks guys.I'll try to get some pics this week to post. I think the sealed battery idea will work. They leaked at the coast this week, but I was in some rough water at times.