Roadtrek Battery Fumes

[a1parrothead]

I just purchased my 1996 RT and have been having fun working on it.

My question is regarding the deep cycle battery. It is located under the floor at the rear of the RT. It has a regular wet cell deep cycle battery in it that needs replaced. I know AGM batteries vent less, but has anyone had any problems with regular lead acid batteries venting into the sleeping area? I would like to stick with this simple battery due to cost.

This battery compartment seems well sealed a it does vent to the outside.

What type of battery did Roadtrek originally install in this compartment?

I would really love to hear if people are having trouble with fumes.

Jeff

[Davydd]

I would think in 1996 it would definitely have been lead-acid batteries. As long as your battery box lid is tight and the box is vented to the outside I doubt you would have a problem. I have two lead-acid batteries in underfloor vented boxes under our beds and the lids are screw down tight covers.

[markopolo]

Just a note: AGM, Gel, Wet Cell are all Lead-Acid batteries.

As Davydd noted, 1996 RT would have originally had a Wet Cell battery. Wet Cell batteries have greater capacity than same sized Gel or AGM batteries and cost less. To get 100ah capacity in an AGM battery for example you will probably have to get a Group 31 sized battery that might not fit in the existing battery compartment. By comparison, the physically smaller Group 27 sized Wet Cell batteries are often rated 100ah.

Another thing to consider is the charging system in the '96 RT if it is original. It may not be suitable to properly maintain an AGM battery.

[Davydd]

I meant to say wet cell lead-acid. I don't think AGMs were used much in RVs in 1996 and most likely not as original equipment by Roadtrek.

[markopolo]

RT website seems to indicate AGM use in their units started in 2011.