Battery charging issue

[DeeMac52]

Don't know any way to ask without seeming a total idiot. We've lost the video we made at owner orientation so here goes.
We own a'17 SILVERBACK 29RE. I know batteries need to be charged after extended storage as can't even retract legs. But once loaded, hauled to site, batteries are still dead. I again need to get shore power to set up camp. Is this a problem with the plug receptacle to my truck? Or am I misunderstanding the "battery disconnect" switch and its function? (Maybe it needs a different name. I'm always confused whether "on" is connected or disconnected.) And what functions are affected by either setting. I've mentally threatened to hire a private tutor from my RV seller but thought I'd run it past you all first. Thanks ' Dave

[Flybob]

Plug the unit into shore power and the batteries will charge, but it will take some time. The aux 12V pin on the Bargman connector on most TV will keep a fully charged battery system charged or add a small amount of charge. It is not capable of charging one ( or more) depleted batteries while traveling. The Battery disconnect is connected in on position if installed correctly. You may be able to retract legs with the unit connected to the TV.

[Windjammin]

On my Crusader I have a push/pull switch for the battery disconnect. Pulled out is the normal configuration to connect the battery to the trailer equipment. Pushed in disconnects the battery from the trailer.

[Rich5117]

Agree with others. There is a way to make sure your converter is charging. A battery showing 12 volts is not fully charged. If you have access to a voltage meter, with the unit plugged in the converter should be putting 13.6 volts to the batteries. If it is not you may have an issue with the charging side of the converter. Depending on your batteries and their condition, it may take a good day to get them recharged. Unless you have upgraded your converter it is probably a low amp charger.

[SlowrideHD]

Originally Posted by DeeMac52

Or am I misunderstanding the "battery disconnect" switch and its function? (Maybe it needs a different name. I'm always confused whether "on" is connected or disconnected.) And what functions are affected by either setting. I've mentally threatened to hire a private tutor from my RV seller but thought I'd run it past you all first. Thanks ' Dave

To remember the way the battery disconnect works just remember that "On" is connected and "Off" is not.

[spock123]

Google the 12 volt side of life part 1 and 2. It tells you all about batteries and charging batteries.

[17 Oaks]

Mine has a parasitic ghost drain, leave it for 5 days on its own the the batteries are dead, even if the battery cutoff switch flipped.

My RV Repair, the owner is a worker to. He says he has yet to see a RV of any brand last very long without power. Ghost drains are the norm, not the exception.

I have 2 Odyssey Extreme grp 34 batteries in mine and this is a good a battery as money will buy until you get into the nosebleed stuff they use in extreme extreme use like NASA. I have one I bought almost 15 years ago and its still cooking.