What's normal?

[tyaughton]

We've recently purchased a 2006 Itasca Sunova. Readying it for our first trip included replacing ALL the batteries. Our problem seems to be that the house batteries won't hold a charge, and don't appear to be charging when driving.
What's normal? If you arrived at a dry-camp and your batteries were fully charged, when would you have to start the generator to top them up? Do you top up every night? On our old Rexhall we used to be able to sit for two or three days before running the generator. This rig drains in less than 24 hours, to the point where you have to jump the batteries to start the generator. Somehow, I don't think that's right....
Judy

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by tyaughton

We've recently purchased a 2006 Itasca Sunova. Readying it for our first trip included replacing ALL the batteries. Our problem seems to be that the house batteries won't hold a charge, and don't appear to be charging when driving.
What's normal? If you arrived at a dry-camp and your batteries were fully charged, when would you have to start the generator to top them up? Do you top up every night? On our old Rexhall we used to be able to sit for two or three days before running the generator. This rig drains in less than 24 hours, to the point where you have to jump the batteries to start the generator. Somehow, I don't think that's right....
Judy

tyaughton,
Well Sir, the first thing you need to do is, do a couple of prelimimary checks on your charging system(s). Yes, there should be TWO charging systems. The first one is your engine and it's alternator. I'm not familiar with the Sunova model so, I'm stricktly speaking from many other Winnebago models, mostly diesel.
But, a simple procedure would be:

1. Check the voltage of your house and chassis batteries, with the coach not running and no shore power or generator operating. Note the readings.
2. Start the engine. Take the same readings on both sets of batteries, again, noting the readings.
3. Compare the readings from a non-running engine to a running one.

4. Then, shut down the engine and, plug into shore power. Note the readings.
5. Compare the readings again to an non shore power, non engine running, set of readings.

If there is major differences between the non engine running and, engine running, for either set, then you may have a charging issue to investigate.

If there's a major difference between a non-shore power set of readings and, shore power connected readings, again, you may have an issue to investigate.

Let us know what you find out.

As for just how long an individual coach and or family can last in dry camping, at the start of a fully charged, in good shape, set of house batteries, all all individual. No two coaches/families/souples are alike. You may have had better luck with battery longevity in a previous coach but, things in your present coach may draw more power. Without knowing exactly what you're running, lights, water pump, furnace, any fans, all draw a bit of power.

But, the one thing you need to do is, make sure the house batteries are in good shape and have no bad cells. Once a bad cell is in place, it will have a master effect on the rest of the battery it's on and, consequently, all other house batteries too. Good luck and inform us what you find.
Scott

[TJFogelberg]

Fire up gives a good rundown on procedure. Normal for us is 2-3 nights comfortable dry camping. Our batteries run the lights, pump, furnace, charge the cell phones, TV and radio. Propane keeps the fridge and hot water going. When hot and humid we require shore power 24/7. Hopefully your problems are simple ones once you get a handle on things. We do run the generator only to use the toaster, microwave etc otherwise prefer not to use it.

[Mudfrog]

Ours is a 2003 model but i have a feeling the 12 volt system is pretty much the same. The batteries should be charging when the engine is running. This is easily checked and verified with a volt meter. Check voltage at the batteries with engine not running, no shore power either. Then start the engine and check voltage again. There will be an increase if alternator output is making it back to the batteries.

On dry camping, ours has two house batteries and we can go three, four, maybe even more days, depending on the time of the year it is. To the OP, do you have an inverter? If so, it might be drawing more power than you think, even when it's idle.

Another quick thought, be sure none of your basement lights have been left on.

[tyaughton]

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

Ours is a 2003 model but i have a feeling the 12 volt system is pretty much the same. The batteries should be charging when the engine is running. This is easily checked and verified with a volt meter. Check voltage at the batteries with engine not running, no shore power either. Then start the engine and check voltage again. There will be an increase if alternator output is making it back to the batteries.

On dry camping, ours has two house batteries and we can go three, four, maybe even more days, depending on the time of the year it is. To the OP, do you have an inverter? If so, it might be drawing more power than you think, even when it's idle.

Another quick thought, be sure none of your basement lights have been left on.

No lights left on, inverter was off. I figured we should run at least 2-3 days dry camping. Last night everything was off, and battery disconnect employed. Today when I checked, it showed full charge. Didn't have an amp meter handy, so was going by what the panel said.....so the batteries are holding their charge (which is good, because they're only a month old), now we just have to figure out what's sucking the juice out.
Judy