Acidy smell in the cabin

[TomC23572]

I recently purchased a Catalina 22 MKII. Inside the cabin it has a faint odor like dog pee; however, the previuos owner tells me a dog has never been on the boat. Is it possible the battery is giving off this smell? Should I have a totally enclosed battery? I've clean the carpet, wsahed all covers and weven washed the inside of hte cabin down with mild bleach but I still smell it.

 

[Bob V]

Check the water level in batteries

The only time I ever smelled what you describe my batteries were boiling over due to a faulty charge regulator. Are you plugged in to shore power and charging batteries all of the time. Some simple chargers will boil your electrolyte off if left plugged in 24/7.That is sulpheric acid by the way, be carefull if there is liquid on the battery tops or in the pan.

 

[biggio]

Maintance free battery

I still think they have vents. This could be the cause.I have reagular lead acid type and one was being cooked by the charger. I was a little nervous going down in a tight lazarett (cat 27) and cleaning the mess up the fumes were strong.