Useless battery tester in Saber 2019 36bhq

[zbevoman]

While walking around frt of rv I noticed a sulfur like odor. Traced odor to battery in storage compartment. The battery was smoking and really hot to the touch. Checked voltage coming from converter it was 13.4 volts which I believe is fine. Checked voltage at battery with cables detached read 10.2. I guessed the battery was shot and had a dead shorted cell. Had the battery load tested and this proved to be true. Replaced battery and all seems good. Now the odd part , with the battery removed the battery status showed fully charged. Even when the bad battery was still hooked up at 10.2 volts, the status read fully charged. What good is it?
Interesting observance with no battery installed, the converter was able to power everything in the rv with no problems. Obviously all this occurred while hooked to 50 watt shore power.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by zbevoman

Obviously all this occurred while hooked to 50 watt shore power.

Having the display show a full battery while hooked up to shore power is normal. You have to be disconnected from shore power for the indicator lights to show the battery charge.

[zbevoman]

Didn't know that, but kind of defeats the purpose of telling the status of your battery as the converter recharges it.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by zbevoman

Didn't know that, but kind of defeats the purpose of telling the status of your battery as the converter recharges it.

This information should be covered in a good PDI but only once in 4 purchases has it been explained to me.


You will always see the advice on this forum to "unplug your trailer from shore power before testing battery condition".

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by zbevoman

Didn't know that, but kind of defeats the purpose of telling the status of your battery as the converter recharges it.

If you boondock...you will never know WHEN your battery is 100% full since ONLY static and well rested (24hr,) batteries can be capacity tested ACCURATELY with a voltmeter. Most batteries will "read" over 13Volts after charging and disconnecting and might only be 12.4 or 12.5 when allowed to rest. This undercharging is a leading cause of early battery failure and cycle capacity loss.

This is not a concern if you always plug in... but if you boondock...you need real monitor that will tell you anything about your battery at any moment in time. Search for Victron or Trimetric on this forum for lots of discussions.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by zbevoman

Didn't know that, but kind of defeats the purpose of telling the status of your battery as the converter recharges it.

For those of us who dry camp or boondock, it works for us but there are better options.