RV batteries

[rbg]

Just bought a used 2007 forest river sun seeker motor home and wonder about the coast h batteries. They are dated January 2012. Seem to be holding charge but wonder if they should be replaced due to age?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by rbg

Just bought a used 2007 forest river sun seeker motor home and wonder about the coast h batteries. They are dated January 2012. Seem to be holding charge but wonder if they should be replaced due to age?

If they were maintained they should be good for at least two more years. If you have access to a battery hydrometer and you can measure and compare cell readings. That will give you best idea of condition. No guarantee of course, just estimate.

[rbg]

Thanks for reply will try to test batteries and go with them for a while

[benagi]

Anyone having problems with their batteries holding a charge. Our batteries won't hold a charge over 5 days. We have since plugged in our unit for the winter. We have the 3171 that is only 6 months old. I have seen post on other threads that these batteries are interstate and have a full replacement warranty for anything under a year old. Going in for warranty work next week. Will see if I can get them replaced then.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by benagi

Anyone having problems with their batteries holding a charge. Our batteries won't hold a charge over 5 days. We have since plugged in our unit for the winter. We have the 3171 that is only 6 months old. I have seen post on other threads that these batteries are interstate and have a full replacement warranty for anything under a year old. Going in for warranty work next week. Will see if I can get them replaced then.

Did you have the RV plugged into shore power, during the 5 days?
If you didn't or didn't activate a battery disconnect switch, then the RV's parasitic power drains can easily deplete the batteries.

If you did have it plugged in, then you might have a bad converter.

[benagi]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Did you have the RV plugged into shore power, during the 5 days?
If you didn't or didn't activate a battery disconnect switch, then the RV's parasitic power drains can easily deplete the batteries.

If you did have it plugged in, then you might have a bad converter.

Did not have it plugged in. Been playing this game with my batteries for the last month. Put a full charge I'm them and check them a week later. Always have disconnect off when RV just sitting by the house. After a week the batteries would be down to 1/3 and the detector would start beeping. That's how I found out we started having low battery. It has been getting real cold now and I can't get even 3 days out of them with everything off. That's why we finally plugged into shore power so they wouldn't freeze. Also, battery levels are good and no corrosion.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Ben, I have a Xantrex battery monitor and it shows .1amp draw when the batteries are disconnected. I know that there are 2 extra positive cables on the coach batteries and are not disconnected. At .1amp per hour, that's 2.4 amps per day or 12 amps in 5 days.
Also, your batteries may have sulfation and statification and can't be fully charged. Can you remove them to a garage and test with a hydrometer? I have mentioned before that I had the same issue with my old Winnebago with 10 month old batteries. Had to undergo massive desulfation and equalization to get them back. According to the battery manufacturers, you need 14.8 daily to recharge. http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Dow...0%205_9_13.pdf
The Intelli-power converter charger only produces 14.4v max and only for 3 hours on boost. This is probably done to prevent boiling and having to add water all the time.
I read on the forum that FR uses Exide batteries but unbranded, not Interstate.
Last, batteries lose the amp capacity as the temperature drops.

[benagi]

Sage, thx for the info. You're right, I think they are exide not interstate. My mistake. I did look at the plates a month ago and they looked good then and were covered with acid. I have one of those harbor freight battery checkers that will put a load on them. After a good charge they would still get the needle near the bad zone and also after the charge the voltage would drop below 12 volts in less than an hour. Like I said in a previous post, I will be going in for warranty work soon and see what they say.

[TURBS]

Why not leave it plugged in 24/7 ?

[Creativepart]

I leave my 6 month old Forester in storage, not plugged in, with the disconnect off for a month at a time and do not have more than 1/3 battery drain. 5-Days sounds like you've got an issue.

[flugelboneman]

Bought a new series 27 RV deep cycle battery at Costco. I even charged it when I brought it home. I have a master cut off switch at my battery. After I installed it, turned all systems off. I went back to RV this AM. Battery dead. Temp has been -5 C and above. Methinks the battery should have held its charge over this period. Whattaya think?

[TURBS]

How long did it sit after battery was put in?

[Boso]

Have left mine turned on for weeks with no charge had no problem with them

[benagi]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Why not leave it plugged in 24/7 ?

No problem having it plugged in 24/7 when home but when unplugged the charge doesn't last a good day or two in the winter with everything off. Most of our camping in boondocking, so I need batteries that can make it at least a few days. Didn't have this problem with our old 1997 Minnie Winnie. And this unit being so new, something is not right. Another note. During the winter, our Minnie Winnie by the house would hold a charge on the house battery for at least a month before I would charge the battery and it only had one battery.

[Bluepill]

#1. Never trust that your charger is working properly. Always verify that it is actually working to specification.

#2. Take the time to properly test and charge each battery in a bank BY ITSELF without any other batteries connected. Test specific gravity and open circuit voltage after the battery has been disconnected for 12 hours or more. Connect the battery to the charger, and monitor the charging voltage every hour. After the charging cycle is complete, disconnect the battery and let it sit for 12 hours or more. Recheck Specific gravity and open circuit voltage.

ONLY THEN can you evaluate the TRUE CONDITION of each battery. Yes it is a bit of work, but then you won't just be "Shooting in the dark"

Link to details:

Battery Maintenance | Trojan Battery Company

[benagi]

Have charged both batteries separately and disconnected from the coach. Also tried 2 different chargers. Both batteries still not holding a charge as long as they should. Just a couple of bad batteries or they were completely drained a time or two before we ever took delivery.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by benagi

Have charged both batteries separately and disconnected from the coach. Also tried 2 different chargers. Both batteries still not holding a charge as long as they should. Just a couple of bad batteries or they were completely drained a time or two before we ever took delivery.

Pull it and take it to Napa and have them test it. They do it for free.

[ScottBrownstein]

On my 335 there are at least 3 loads that do not go through the disconnect switch. 1 is the power steps, presumably another is the propane detector. Perhaps the 3rd is the disconnect panel itself but I need to verify. They are all directly connected to a battery with built in fuses that are easily seen and removed.

If truly disconnected, a decent lead acid battery should stay charged for months!

[benagi]

My coach is in for warranty work right now and I had them test the batteries. They said batteries are OK but during the test they are seeing just under .1 amp draw and said it was my big foot jacks. Why is the big foot system drawing while the disconnect is off ? Any ideas anyone?

[TURBS]

Jacks are wired directly to battery.


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