6 volt batteries

[dwolach]

I have a 2012 cedar creek that I purchased used about6 months ago. When I first got it it would always read approx 13.2 volts. I checked it two weeks ago the gauge on the Lippert system would only show "low voltage" the repair guy I used advised me to replace the batteries, which we did with Trojan T-105. When that did not correct the problem, he suggested we replace the converter, which I did. I put a volt meter on the batteries and it is only registering 11.7 volts. Does any one have a suggestion that I might use?

[wb7auk]

It sounds like the batteries have not been charged up and or the charger is not working

[wa8yxm]

How long ago did you replace the converter compared to measuring at the battery..... If it was "Turn on converter and take reading" then leave converter on, and come back Tomorrow and check again.

[camper33]

Also look for a circuit breaker located near the battery. If the breaker goes bad or it is a manual re-setable, it will disconnect the battery from the converter. Also look for a disconnect switch. Some coaches were equipped with a battery disconnect switch.

[camaraderie]

Take a simple voltmeter.

Turn on converter and test at output terminals...should be in excess of 13.2 Volts at a minimum. More likely...it should read around 14.5 volts. If it doesn't, you've found the problem. Inspect the unit for bad connections or blown fuses.

If the converter seems to be working... do the same test at the battery terminals...to which those converter wires are attached. Touch the TERMINAL POSTS with your Voltmeter leads...not the terminal connectors. Volt reading should be the same as at the converter. If not, you have a wiring problem...a blown fuse in the line...or a bad terminal connection.

Assuming you are showing at least 13.2V on your charger and at the batteries...walk away for 24 hours after first insuring that the distilled water in the batteries does not need filling.

Come back the next day and disconnect the batteries and let them set for at least 12 and preferably 24 hours and take another voltage reading. They should read 12.6 or 12.7 volts (combined of course!). Anything less than 12.4 shows battery wear...and anything less than 12.2 is pretty much toast.

Hope this helps.

[wingnut60]

He now has 6-volt batteries--what should be readings be on them?

Camper33 has a good suggestion--many systems have a small breaker with a minute reset button--if it is tripped, none of the 12-volt system that feeds thru the breaker will work.

Trojan T105s are very good batteries and have served me well for years. I also cleaned up the battery compartment and rewired thru a terminal junction strip that uses small terminals to connect the system into a master feed that comes thru #4 cables to the junction strip. This has solved much of my corrosion problems at the battery posts--and each of the strip terminals is fused. I got the entire setup from a mobile electronics (professional car stereo shop) as they are the only ones I found with flexible #4 cable.

Battery problems are very irritating--and won't improve until you identify the basic problem. You have new batteries and a new converter--the repair guy you are using to diagnose is not doing a good job, it would seem.

Good luck.

Joe

[wa8yxm]

IF they are properly installed he does not have two six volt batteries for there are no six volt batteries in RV's

What he has is a 12 volt battery that has been broken into two halves so that it is easier to install and remove. (Yes, i know each half is six volts).

So if they are properly installed, in Series, the readings are the same for a pair of sixes as it would be for a pair of 12's in parallel.

Still. if measuring at the battery post (As I just did with mine) I want to know the reading 24 hours AFTER he fires up the converter. not right away.. The reason. If the batteries are low you are only going to read a little bit above battery voltage with heavy current flowing or the converter throttling to prevent too fast a recharge.

Once the batteries have had time to eat a bit.. Then the voltage will rise. .Sharply.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

More likely...it should read around 14.5 volts.

If it is a multi-stage converter operating in bulk or absorption mode (meaning batteries are fairly discharged) it could be that high, but if it is a common OEM single-stage converter then it never will. Most single-stage converters will float/slow-charge the batteries at 13.5 to 13.8 volts and that's it.

[behmke]

I own a 2009 Cedar Creek....there is a switch that shuts the battery off under the storage area. Don't know if yours has this switch but it might.... look and see if yours doees. Like I said mine is under the entry door side storage area and is just like a little disconnect when it is off nothing works even when plugged in... battery just gets weaker and weaker.


Bryan

[wingnut60]

wa8xym

Appreciate the lesson on the 12-volt battery in halves--but at some point, he will have to separate them to check each one.

Joe

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

wa8xym Appreciate the lesson on the 12-volt battery in halves--but at some point, he will have to separate them to check each one. Joe

One can take off the water caps and dip a meter lead in the electrolyte, moving from cell to cell watching for one or more that are low.

[dwolach]

Before anything else is done, I will check the converter an batteries as you suggested. One quick question: should I disconnect the batteries from the converter before I check it?

[wingnut60]

Yes, otherwise, if the converter is not working, you will get the reading of the battery charge state.
Joe

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by smiller

If it is a multi-stage converter operating in bulk or absorption mode (meaning batteries are fairly discharged) it could be that high, but if it is a common OEM single-stage converter then it never will. Most single-stage converters will float/slow-charge the batteries at 13.5 to 13.8 volts and that's it.

Correct...of course that is also why they should be replaced with smart chargers if they are dumb ones!
That's why for this discussion about whether a charger is working or not...any reading above 13.2 is sufficient proof of operation.