Batteries *@#&

[JoanE]

I wanted to change my CG site to one by the lake. So Sunday am, I prepared my MH for moving. Sat behind the wheel and the starter battery was dead. Called my Good Sam's Roadside Assistance and they had me try the reverse battery system where my coach batteries would boost the motor battery but the house batteries were almost gone too. How does this happen if I have been plugged in all month? The guy who responded to my call said my motor battery should not have been bad. Something made it lose its charge.

I know you gals must have some ideas.

[Bethers]

I've never had that happen. Your rig is still new - call the dealer - they should take care of it. I just replaced my engine battery for the first time this year - may have been the original after 13 years. The house batteries - make sure you're checking the water level in them - but being in FL, that doesn't make sense to me either. BUT - when's the last time you started your engine? I run mine at least 15 + minutes every month - try to drive every month, but if that isn't possible, I make sure I run it - batteries will drain just sitting.

[JoanE]

Thanks for that info. I am going to see the guys who I bought it from. They have a full service garage too. I might have thought I sat too long except I moved each month that I've been here without problems. I hate these mystery issues. Grrrrr.

[Travelinana]

Are you sure you aren't leaving anything on in the chassis? My battery which is almost new wouldn't start on several occasions. I have a booster start on mine and had to use it. I just found I was leaving one of the heated seats on and the switch that heats the rearview outside mirrors. Most likely this will solve my problem. It's another frustration but I always view this as improving my learning curve. Relax, all will be okay!

[Acadianmom]

Did you find out what the problem with your batteries was? I had my motorhome in because the generator would start or not start depending on how it felt. Turned out to be corroded battery cables. Would probably only have been a little while before it would have affected something else.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

I generally sit for a couple of months or more. I tried starting my engine frequently but my battery would still run down. Had the battery checked and it was in good shape, so I bought a Battery Minder trickle charger and my problems were over. You have to put it on when your battery is fully charged so as soon as I get to my location within a day or two I put it on the battery, plug it in and it keeps everything charged. It also desulphates it also so that is a plus. I do have to monitor the water in all 3 batteries and I do that monthly and so far all is well. My engine battery is the original but I just bought 2 Trojan batteries last fall for the coach. No problems so far.

karen

[jthistle]

I don't know why, but when we are plugged in it only charges our house batteries, not the chassis batteries. This causes us to have to boost when starting as well. We start ours weekly and take a short drive to keep everything in shape. We also bought a battery tender to keep the chassis batteries charged so we don't have to boost. In my husband's research he found that things will just quit working if you don't use it. Apparently, our MHs work the same way as our bodies do.

Jessica

[Bethers]

I don't know why, but when we are plugged in it only charges our house batteries, not the chassis batteries. This causes us to have to boost when starting as well. We start ours weekly and take a short drive to keep everything in shape. We also bought a battery tender to keep the chassis batteries charged so we don't have to boost. In my husband's research he found that things will just quit working if you don't use it. Apparently, our MHs work the same way as our bodies do.

Jessica

Plugging in won't do a thing for the engine battery - that's when you would need the battery tender. And, yes, everything needs to be used - make sure if you have a generator that you are running it (under a load) at least monthly.

[BirdbyBird]

It took me two frustrating years to find an RV guy from a small local shop with the patience to track down my battery issues. Carolyn and other may remember them because I was rescued with a "jump" more than once. He found that the there was a (hot) 30 amp fuse for an electric front seat that my unit DOES NOT EVEN HAVE...that was drawing the battery down..... He took the fuse out and I haven't had a problem since. Many of us have wondered who showed up to worked the line the days our unit got assembled......

[JoanE]

I haven't been to the garage yet but need to go this month before I head to NY for the summer. Not glad to hear that so many others are having or had problems with batteries too but I don't feel so much like I've done something wrong now. Thanks for all the feedback.

[Paulette]

After calling my mechanic several springs in a row for a jump, he finally recommended an ecco charger. Since he installed it, he hasn't had to come jump start me again! Basically it makes sure that the engine batteries remain charged, even while sitting plugged in. I do leave my unit plugged in over the winter, and that keeps the house batteries charged.

You would think the rv manufacturers would do something about this issue...or at the very least have some sort of bypass routine and make bold notations in their manuals!

[Pooker]

Hey! A subject I've been addressing ever since I bought Flitter! No one has been able to figure out why my truck battery dies - sometimes within hours, sometimes within a few days. Many repair guys, RV friends, my handy son, etc. have all been positive they would find the problem. I always thought there was something like Tina's fuse somewhere, but there are so many things it could be! And I've given up on paying RV tech's to track down what they think is the problem only to have a "dead" battery next time out!

My solution was to buy an inexpensive battery cut off at one of the auto stores like Auto Zone. Whenever I arrive at a campsite, I pop the hood and disconnect the battery. Reconnect it when I want to leave. If there's still a problem, I use the house battery assist switch to start.

Pooker