Bad smell

[Robatbradwell]

On two occasions now, during the night, my cabin has become overwhelmed by a nasty eggy sulphur smell. At first I thought it was gas but now I am certain it is from one of the batteries. I assume it is overcharging and burning out or something. Do I just need to check the batteries and replace the faulty one or might there also be a problem with the charger, whilst on shore power, not cutting out when the battery is fully charged?

I knew that one of the batteries is on its way out as I noticed that the engine wouldn’t start with only one battery switched on.

I do get smells from the heads and this smell was very different and I did turn off the gas and the smell continued. So I am sure it’s a battery.

 

[ccscott49]

Eggy sulphur smell is normally H2S, (hydrogen sulphide), which can be produced by a battery, (sulphuric acid, hydrogen from charging) but it means it's terminal I'm afraid, so you will need to test/inspect your batteries. Or get an expert to check/test them for you.
Buit to be honest the smell you describe is normallky associated with heads, but if you are using them regular, then this smell does not stay around.

 

[DickB]

I had a similar experience but it transpired that it was the bottom of the bilge that was exposed when we heeled over. I also thought it was the batteries but they seemed all OK...

Good luck

 

[Robatbradwell]

It must be hydrogen sulphide then. The heads stink on and off as well and it is quite a different smell. I assumed the heads were stinking because I was using the holding tank but when I flush out the holding tank and shut down the valve it still stinks. It’s a real [--word removed--] and pisses me off!

 

[grafozz]

take a damp cloth and wipe the pipes to and from the heads - then brace yourself - and smell it ! the majority of pipes leech odour through the pipe wall , only cure is replacement , best ones are from halyard marine - white , not totally impermeable but much better than most . i have been through all this on my boat and this was the cure . but 5 years on ,they,re getting whiffy again ! check electrolyte levels if you still think its battery, the gas is pretty explosive, no sparks please !

 

[Amari]

It seems logical to blame the holding tank or toilet exit hose for sulphurous stinks but previous forum threads taught me that smells usually come from the inlet i.e. seawater hose. Seems counter-intuitive but apparently bugs like it there. Certainly when I return to Amari and flush for the first time the stench can be overpowering.
Accordingly I have fitted a blue tablet dispenser on the inlet hose close to the seacock (sorry I can't remember the manufacturer) with good, if not perfect, results

 

[eastcoastbernie]

The eggy smell comes from the heads outlet where nasties accumulate and cause naff smell.

If you want to keep the heads smelling fresh, then before leaving the boat, flush a bucket full of fresh water down the loo before closing the seacock.

Works with my loo which is odour free.

Although how this would work with a holding tank, I'm not sure .....

 

[npf1]

Another thing that is possibly worth checking is the the holding tank breather pipe. If it is blocked, the holding tank odours could be getting in to the boat somewhere. That being said, my holding tank never has a H2S smell (more sewage farm!) even when it needs a flush.

FWIW: I've found the simplest way to prevent holding tank smells are regular emptying, a clear breather and liberal use of white vinegar.

 

[pcatterall]

Not had it on the boat as we use a portaloo but I recall that H2S smell from overseas where very salty water was used in showers and toilets ( so salty we had to use that special soap)
it was very distictive and strong well remembered from my laboratory days. Cant think what the salty water was reacting with.

 

[bradtarga34]

Has the charger been on both times you smelt it? If so, might be worth turning the charger off and see if the smell goes. I did this on a small motor cruiser I had as was a process of ellimination, sure enough it turned out one of the batteries was nadgered and was doing something nasty causing that distinct smell.

 

[Hardley]

If it is the toilet pipe then go for this pipe from ADSL Supplies at Beccles Suffolk
The pipe H.T. SAINIPOMP/EXTRA ODOUR SHIELD 5 YEAR WARRANTTY BUTYL WP & Bar (100psi) ISO 8099 2000-7 and was worth every penny.
When you leave the boat, Close toilet inlet valve, pump dry, 2 litres fresh water in toilet, add a Milton tablet (used for cleaning babies bottles etc) allow to disolve pump out, close outlet valve, end of smells.
I have one of the bits, mentioned in another post, where you put a blue tablet in the inlet pipe, did not work, so I don't use it any more.

 

[No Regrets]

[ QUOTE ]
On two occasions now, during the night, my cabin has become overwhelmed by a nasty eggy sulphur smell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine too.

And my bedroom, Hotel rooms I visit, even Tents.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bilgediver]

And my bedroom, Hotel rooms I visit, even Tents....

***********************************************

I hope you don t smoke under these circumstances ..

 

[No Regrets]

To be honest, I never looked to see..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[davidfox]

I put white vinegar down with the fresh water and pump out.

 

[LittleSister]

I had almost exactly the same experience recently, and initially suspected the heads as that's where it smelled. On the good advice and various analyses of the forum I replaced half the heads installation only to find, when investigating the failure of the engine battery to start the engine without help from the domestic battery (a problem which started after the smell) , that the problem was one of the batteries frying in their locker just behind the heads.

I contacted the suppliers of the battery (to the previous owner) Merlin Power-Store, who were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and immediately said the smell was the result of either (a) a failure of the battery in the form of a short in one cell of the battery pulling down too great a current when the engine was charging, or (b) a fault in the alternator voltage regulator causing an excessive voltage to be pushed into the battery. When I told them my voltage readings they immediately knew it was the former and that I needed a replacement battery. I temporarily replaced the battery with an old one I had in the garage, and the smell and starting problem immediately vanished, as predicted by Merlin.

I'm no expert but on the basis of my experience I would suspect your battery because if the the charging voltage was too high you would have (at least in the early stages before the battery was eventually damaged by overcharging), no problem starting the engine, whereas a battery with a cell shorting will give you starting problems from the outset.

Good luck with it.

 

[keelbolt]

Curry, chips and beans. And a large quantity of lager.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

[ QUOTE ]
Curry, chips and beans. And a large quantity of lager.

[/ QUOTE ]


Fun Bit-So before leaving and closing your seacock, flush with draught Guiness, not lager!

serious bit- If heads- require/ insist proper flushing after every use-10-15 full strokes, then a spray of white vinegar afore ye go home- keeps the chalky deposit (urine/seawater reaction)off the pumps rubber seals too.
There are more fun things to do in Cherbourg than clean and service your heads /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif