Community Forums

mikefoshoe · 07-20-2016, 09:12 AM

We have a new 2015 Bighorn, made by Heartland. We have 2 deep cycle 6 volt batteries. We have taken it out three times. The last two times we have had battery issues. We have camped plugged into 30 amp both times, and when we are leaving the battery is dead. First time we took it to the dealer, and they said it is good. We noticed that the batteries were charged and one was turned to the off position when we got the camper back. (why is one off??) This time, we were gone for 4.5 days, plugged into 30 amp, and when we hooked up to come home, the inverter would not keep the fridge running, and the panel does not light up for battery charge at all.
The dealer has not given us any instructions on what we should do for regular checking, charging, or maintenance, so we would appreciate some instruction for you all... What are we doing wrong?

plasma800 · 07-20-2016, 10:42 AM

Ok so a couple of things.

1) Does your unit have a battery disconnect switch, or possibly a USE/STORE switch. Confirmed, there is. I'm assuming it was in the ON position.

2) You have a breaker for the converter and a fuse, but I doubt that's bad as none of your 12 volt would work.

3) ON the ride home, shouldn't the fridge be on gas?

My suspect is either two bad batteries, one bad battery, or a dead cell.

It's not uncommon for a dealer to let batteries go completely dead, then charge them and let them go dead again. Also not uncommon for them to let the water dry up.

Have you checked the water in either battery? If you see any lead, they are toast.

If they are interstate batteries, they might still be under warranty. Pull them and take them in for testing.. they might replace them for free.

mikefoshoe · 07-21-2016, 05:29 PM

Ya, we have to check the batteries asap.
Thanks for the tip on seeing lead...
Kind of a pain having to do all this at this early stage of ownership, as am so busy working at my business when we get back from a trip. The fridge is a residential, and does not have a gas option.
Thanks!

plasma800 · 07-21-2016, 05:33 PM

Man, my airstream came with totally toasted batteries... and I didn't really figure it out until just after the battery warranty ended...

Totally get you on the fridge then....

Keep me updated.

vsheetz · 07-21-2016, 06:06 PM

To check if charging is occurring, measure the voltage at the battery without charging, then enable charging, the voltage should increase about 1 volt or so. If no increase the charger is not working.

A load box for testing batteries is a good thing to have. About $50-60.00.

scottandanna · 07-21-2016, 06:11 PM

I had the exact same issue on my new trailer.

I finally got the volt/ohm meter out, and traced the hot wire from the fusebox inside the trailer, and worked my way back (forward, actually).

I found that the battery disconnect/kill-switch was faulty. It was set for batts ON, but there was no power going through.

All I had to do on mine is flip that kill-switch 3 or 4 times, then it worked like it was supposed to.

That was about 4 months ago, and no issues since. And we are now using the trailer full-time, so I keep an eye on things like this.