House battery dies

July 11, 2012 -- Ruthie alerted me to an unfamiliar smell, that since it was in the forward cabin I assumed it was from another boat.  Then when I grabbed my pants of the cabinet that is the battery box I noticed it was hot.  I figured it must be in the direct sun -- that was impossible.  I opened the battery box and the smell was very strong and the battery was too hot to touch.  I cut the power, it was not cooling off!  I removed it and put it in a pan of water.  I measured it at 207 F at one location, and that spot stayed hot.  After it cooled I measured the voltage at 8.5 volts.  Andy helped me get a new battery at West Marine in Newport RI.