12v battery question

[mpotapa]

I recently bought a new battery a couple weeks ago. It was fully charged and I also installed a disconnect switch so I can easily turn the power on and off. Last night my wife went in to clean our camper up for our first trip. I checked the voltage on the battery and it was 12.7. About 30 minutes later I checked and it was 12.2 but my wife had the lights on in the camper. Is this why I got a much lower reading? It’s a group 24 battery.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by mpotapa

I recently bought a new battery a couple weeks ago. It was fully charged and I also installed a disconnect switch so I can easily turn the power on and off. Last night my wife went in to clean our camper up for our first trip. I checked the voltage on the battery and it was 12.7. About 30 minutes later I checked and it was 12.2 but my wife had the lights on in the camper. Is this why I got a much lower reading? It’s a group 24 battery.

You probably bought a dual purpose marine battery, which isn't a true deep cycle battery.
If it has a CCA(cold cranking amp)rating, it's not a true deep cycle battery.

[mpotapa]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You probably bought a dual purpose marine battery, which isn't a true deep cycle battery.
If it has a CCA(cold cranking amp)rating, it's not a true deep cycle battery.

You’re right, it does have CCA. We camp where there is shore power. The only thing I need the battery for is when we are at my storage place to raise and lower the camper. Do you think this battery will be fine?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by mpotapa

You’re right, it does have CCA. We camp where there is shore power. The only thing I need the battery for is when we are at my storage place to raise and lower the camper. Do you think this battery will be fine?

If you never dry or boondock, then yes.
You need the battery to power the emergency breakaway switch when towing it.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by mpotapa

You’re right, it does have CCA. We camp where there is shore power. The only thing I need the battery for is when we are at my storage place to raise and lower the camper. Do you think this battery will be fine?

Just be aware that if you leave your camper in the storage lot for a prolonged period of time, a battery can get lazy.....assuming you have disconnected it from any parasitic draw. Hopefully, it will not lose too much power so that you can raise/lower the top. These motors demand a significant amount from a battery, so if it becomes significantly slower or not at all, the battery needs to be charged.

[mpotapa]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Just be aware that if you leave your camper in the storage lot for a prolonged period of time, a battery can get lazy.....assuming you have disconnected it from any parasitic draw. Hopefully, it will not lose too much power so that you can raise/lower the top. These motors demand a significant amount from a battery, so if it becomes significantly slower or not at all, the battery needs to be charged.

We camp 1-2 times a month from now until October so we should be good with the battery. Thanks for the advice.