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Old 07-03-2018, 11:46 AM   #1
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Replacing the battery in a 5th wheel

Our battery is 3 years old and not holding a charge for very long.
My questions are,
Do I disconnect the A/C power to the trailer?
Do I turn the battery disconnect switch?
Both?

I will replace the battery with a similar battery. We do not dry camp so I am guessing about any automotive battery will work.
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Old 07-03-2018, 12:13 PM   #2
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My f'ver is three years old and the battery is still holding strong!

Don't go for a car battery, but get a deep cycle or marine battery!
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Old 07-03-2018, 12:34 PM   #3
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Your assumptions are the best method.

Turn off (unplug from shore power) and disconnect the battery switch.

Take a photo or otherwise mark the connections as to which post the wires attach.
You wouldn't be the first to hook one up backwards. You'll be back asking how to diagnose the battery protection fuses in the converter.

Even with being plugged in most of the time, as mentioned, look for a true DEEP CYCLE battery and not a DUAL PURPOSE battery like most dealers install.
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Old 07-03-2018, 01:03 PM   #4
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We, like you, don't dry camp (boondock) so the most our battery has to run is the fridge controls and LP/CO monitor on the way to the campground. I use a combo marine battery and they will usually last 4 to 5 years.

When and if we start making longer trips where we have to run the fridge longer then I will reconsider the battery situation.
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Old 07-04-2018, 02:27 PM   #5
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We, like you, don't dry camp (boondock) so the most our battery has to run is the fridge controls and LP/CO monitor on the way to the campground. I use a combo marine battery and they will usually last 4 to 5 years.

When and if we start making longer trips where we have to run the fridge longer then I will reconsider the battery situation.
It certainly makes sense to disconnect both...its probably safer and can't do any harm. Having said that, the time I replaced my battery I failed to disconnect either (I didn't think of it) with no apparent harm.
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Old 07-04-2018, 02:44 PM   #6
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I'm used to storing my 5'ver next to the house and plugged in 24/7...

But I can't do that at my new place in the desert of AZ...

Looking for a solar trickle charger...any ideas here?
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Old 07-04-2018, 02:54 PM   #7
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I'm used to storing my 5'ver next to the house and plugged in 24/7...

But I can't do that at my new place in the desert of AZ...

Looking for a solar trickle charger...any ideas here?
Get a panel big enough to replace all the little draws on the battery as well as regular internal discharging in the battery.

Head for Amazon and look at the hundreds of possibilities as well as user reviews. If all you are interested in is maintaining a battery when in storage mode the panel doesn't need to be that big but it should have a quality controller to prevent over voltage.

Solar's not real big where I live because our Sun spends all it's time in Arizona Even now it's just under 80 degrees but sky is overcast. Just enough light one doesn't need to turn on any in the house.
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Old 07-04-2018, 04:07 PM   #8
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Quick trip to Wally World today. Of course they are open on July 4th. Now have a new marine deep cycle battery that is the same size as the former one. The deinstall reinstall was a snap.
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Old 07-04-2018, 04:14 PM   #9
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Glad you got it changed out without incident.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:58 AM   #10
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Probably didn't last for lack of maintenance. Be sure to check the water level even on a new battery. Most batteries I buy are all ready low on water brand new from the store. Try to never discharge below 50% and when you do be sure to recharge it immediately. With most rigs it doesn't pay to leave the [B]Con[B]verter on all the time as most will boil the water out of the battery. I use an after market battery maintainer with power shut off to the cabin during storage. Most solar maintainers require the battery to be charged to begin with and will not bring a discharged battery up to charge. A little maintenance will save you some bucks with batteries getting in the $100 to $200 dollar range.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:14 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by JohnD10 View Post
I'm used to storing my 5'ver next to the house and plugged in 24/7...

But I can't do that at my new place in the desert of AZ...

Looking for a solar trickle charger...any ideas here?
Just to maintain the battery, I wouldn't get anything less than 75 watts. That should let you run the fridge as well (on propane), but likely not much else for any amount of time.
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Old 07-05-2018, 02:58 PM   #12
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Just to maintain the battery, I wouldn't get anything less than 75 watts. That should let you run the fridge as well (on propane), but likely not much else for any amount of time.
I still have the 5'ver plugged in to my home at the moment (still unloading stuff)...

Right now at 12:56 pm and 112.6 degrees outside, the fridge just can't handle that kind of temps.

I shut if off two days ago as it was almost 90 degrees in the fridge while it was running.

That's Yuma, AZ for 'ya!

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Old 07-06-2018, 08:58 AM   #13
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check

check the water level in the batterys every 6 mo./use distilled water to fill..
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:53 AM   #14
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I still have the 5'ver plugged in to my home at the moment (still unloading stuff)...

Right now at 12:56 pm and 112.6 degrees outside, the fridge just can't handle that kind of temps.

I shut if off two days ago as it was almost 90 degrees in the fridge while it was running.

That's Yuma, AZ for 'ya!

Yea, but its dry heat!
LOL!
[emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:02 AM   #15
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check the water level in the batterys every 6 mo./use distilled water to fill..
I'd check more often if battery has been frequently discharged and recharged, especially in hot weather.

I prefer to check monthly when using trailer. Better to check and not need to add than to pop the caps and see the tops of plates.
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Old 07-06-2018, 12:12 PM   #16
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Yea, but its dry heat!
LOL!
[emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]
Ain't that the truth...

Took this yesterday of my Atomic Clock...
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