dry camping battery power

[scottsdaletom]

Hi, I'd sure appreciate anyone who can give me some idea about onboard battery power when no hookups are available. I just purchased a 2003 Scottsdale late last year.
I always keep it plugged in while in my driveway, and always camp with hookups. The one time I didn't plug in I found my rig,s house lights going very dim after only about 2 hours. Nothing else was on that I was aware of. I plugged in, so I don't know how long it would have lasted. I had the dealer check it out, they said they ran all electrical checks and everyhing was fine. Is this normal? I doubt it..Shouldn't I get much more time on battery power?
Any info would help, I hope to hear from someone out there.

[scottsdaletom]

Hi, I'd sure appreciate anyone who can give me some idea about onboard battery power when no hookups are available. I just purchased a 2003 Scottsdale late last year.
I always keep it plugged in while in my driveway, and always camp with hookups. The one time I didn't plug in I found my rig,s house lights going very dim after only about 2 hours. Nothing else was on that I was aware of. I plugged in, so I don't know how long it would have lasted. I had the dealer check it out, they said they ran all electrical checks and everyhing was fine. Is this normal? I doubt it..Shouldn't I get much more time on battery power?
Any info would help, I hope to hear from someone out there.

[Lug_Nut]

When I had my '99 Mountain Aire I found similar power problems. I replaced the converter/charger with a TruCharge 3 stage charger/converter. What a difference. The standard charger that was in the unit would not charge the batteries to a 100% state and it was replaced once on warranty. I paid for the new TruCharge even though the unit was still under warranty.
I now have a Trace inverter that came with my DSDP '02 which works great.

[Fillitup]

You might need to replace the house batteries - IF that has not already been done. Ours was doing similar and just like my trolling motor batteries on the boat - they wear out and get weak and don't hold a good charge. We replaced them and all is OK now. You have 2 - 12 volt batteries. If they have not been replaced and if the terminals are clean and tight I would buy new ones. I would buy batteries listed for use for for RVs which I think are dual use because in a bind you might need some cranking amp power.

[Michael Richardson]

I have found out that there is a big difference
in thw qualiy of light plugged in verses running off the battery.It also depends on how much current you are drawing or how many 12 volt appliances you are running. Fillup and lugnut both had good suggestions. In three fifth wheels I have never had a problem wiht a converter/charger. Being the tight wad I am, many auto parts stores can load test your batteries . I run an external smart charger to
keep my battery topped off when the coach is not in operation.I am not a technowiz, but the way I understand the principle is that a smart charger step charges your battery with DC current, and automatically floats the battery when fully charged and keeps the plates from building up sulfation.

If you are not running your furnace , you should be able to go a long weekend with no problems, if you practice some conservation.

[Joe O'Melia]

12 volt rv systems connections that are exposed to the weather corrode and cause increased resistance and the associated voltage drop i.e. dim lights. You can check this by measuring the voltage at the battery and the voltage at a light using a digital volt meter, with the trailer not plugged in . The connections at the battery and the ground connection at the frame are the most likely to have problems. My solution is to solder the connectors and goop everything up with dielectric grease.