As a breakdown patrol from another company, that's was an awful response from the RAC! At least send a patrol to do a dynamic risk assessment! Yes, its dangerous, but once the battery has cooled, it won't actively gas, both doors open and vent the area. My own patrol van has had this, its an easy issue to overcome with a bit knowlwdge!
You were so lucky to get out of that safely. I know you said we shouldn't get on your case, but stuff like this *keeps happening* with you two and luck eventually runs out.
The correct solution was to disconnect the auxiliary battery, problem solved. The issue will be something to do with the split charging system or possibly the alternator.
Hi guys. Seems odd to me your battery would get so hot due to a battery fault. I would suspect its being over charged by the van, which would explain why it was so hot after a long drive. Check the voltage going into it as if there is a charging problem your nice new battery will get ruined.
Good to see you in my home town, shame it was in less than perfect circumstances! Glad you didn't fall foul of the parking restrictions there, it's become quite the talking point in the town.
Definitely loose the specs ,they remind me of 80' s yuppies (total a holes). I would have a breaker so you can separate the aux battery from the main one. At least you could get home, no dramas.
If there is any way I can pass on my contact details for you guys to get in touch with me if you have any trouble with the van please let me know, I’ve been a mechanic for years and know what it’s like to be stuck and in need of help, if you guys have an email address I can send my details to please let me know as I’m more than happy to help, thanks Matty
So glad to hear you guys made it home safely! Seriously, I would have had a panic attack too. Iz, the new glasses are so cute, and look adorable on your face, I say just own it! 🧡
The starter battery in my 8 year old car was nearing the end of its life, symptoms were the start/stop feature stopped working. Before my local garage changed the battery they ran tests on the alternator to make sure that was working properly. Never had a good experience with Halford mechanics and I would ditch the RAC and use Grenn Flag at next renewal
Amazing coincidence! I was watching your video about the battery failure when I received a What's App message from my daughter and son in law in Holland. The battery in their 4 years old campervan caught fir! They have managed to get it replaced, but it could have been quite serious as the battery was stored under the passenger seat wher my daughter was. I felt for you guys with the problem you had getting the new battery installed. Fortunately the Dutch garage had no qualms about immediately replacing the battery. Glad you got home safely and now looking forward to your next video.🥰
your not stupid, its only a battery. Same thing happened to me. Cant believe they wouldn't change it for you, although tom should know how to change it anyway its not hard. just another learning experience :)
Eeek! Not fun. I understand why Mr Halfords didn't remove the battery but disappointed that your recovery company didn't tow you to a garage. Do you have that on your policy? Loving the specs! I love bold spectacles too!
When I was hitchhiking in France, a chap pick me up got both his windows open and he said his battery is gassing. He didn’t know why but he got his windows open so the fumes didn’t get him. I said oh it’ll be your alternator overcharging I said pull in somewhere, I’ll disconnect the alternator. The battery was hot. I disconnected the alternator solve the problem but I told him the battery would run down eventually so he would need to get to a garage so probably nothing wrong with the battery regulator in the alternator overcharging
Good to see you got back home safely in the end! A bit worrying about the battery. Now you know you should have changed it when it first failed. But we all make mistakes and we just have to learn from them. I think the gas is more likely to be hydrogen, which isn’t normally harmful to breathe, but was obviously a major explosion risk which you fortunately avoided. Just be glad it wasn’t a modern electric vehicle lithium ion battery. When they fail you should run away fast! You both deserve some relaxation for a while!
Please dont just leave it at swapping the battery refer to the comment by boastyy as you need too check some things out with a multimeter .if the new battery is being overcharged there is a real possibility of it exploding 😮 or being seriously damaged
Sad ending to a very enjoyable adventure. At least you both got home safely. I also think it was very poor service on behalf of the RAC. You would think a breakdown in the UK would be easy to sort out. Looking forward to your solo camping trip and future adventures.
I'm pretty sure as time goes on they'll drop the 90 day rule . You are nomadic and it's inconvenient but how long will you be nomadic? Have to settle down somewhere one day. 😊
Charge regulation is poor. Auxiliary battery has broken down and boiling and gassing. Happened in my van . Vented the van and let it cool down removed the battery changed it and all was ok
Once, after a struggle, I opened the bonnet of my car, assessed the situation with all my knowledge of car mechanics, and closed the bonnet again. Tom sir you are a genius.
Sad fact here was when you phoned breakdown service they would have fixed battery for you, no problem. Your mistake was to give way to much info. All you should have said "you have a problem with the car you think its the battery" and leave it at that...
