Battery cells leaking fluid

[Roc]

Hello All,
I have (2) 4D's, bought from BJ's at under $100 each.  Purchased them in 2005.  On one of them, I notice battery acid coming out of 3 of the cells, seen by the small pool around the ports.  I have the caps hand tight and up until now, I never saw anything venting out.  Upon inspection of the cells, the water is slightly lower than usual, but still well above the plates.  Does this mean that battery might be calling it quits?  A short in the plates?

Thanks!

[Stu Jackson]

Could be, but maybe not, Roc.  What charger are you using?  Are you plugged in all week?  What's the battery voltage at rest and when being charged?  Have you checked the specific gravity of the cells?  Sorry for the questions, but they may lead to the answers.

[Roger Blake]

Could be result of excessive charging (i.e. check the charger) and/or excessive heat. As Stu indicates, collect additional facts...should help in isolating the problem.

[Roc]

I have a Xantrex Truecharge 40.  I don't notice anything abnormal about the charger (i.e. no warning lights blinking).  The charger is connected to both batteries, so wouldn't you think if it was over charging, both would be over charged?  I'll check the SG and voltage.

Thanks!