Community Forums

DebbieMH · 03-20-2014, 01:50 PM

I have a 37 ft Class A with a residential refrigerator. If I have the coach unplugged for even 12 hours with or without the refrigerator on - I am getting "low battery" on the dashboard when I go to start the coach. Also, I get low battery everytime I go to put up or down the jacks on the jacks panel- even if I just unplugged it. Is it normal that the coach can't sit on battery power without anything really running and the batteries go dead in less than 12 hours? I have yet to figure out how to check the water level in all 8 batteries - could that be the problem? Or again .. is this normal?

Thanks!

wb7auk · 03-20-2014, 02:04 PM

Sounds like you have something drawing a whole lot of power still on.
What happens when you turn the house batteries off?

DebbieMH · 03-20-2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb7auk

Sounds like you have something drawing a whole lot of power still on.
What happens when you turn the house batteries off?

I haven't turned them off before. I have to have the coach sit in New Orleans without power for 4 days the end of this month - I guess the best thing to do is to go ahead and turn off the house batteries ... Do you check your water level? I just did a search on YouTube and someone said to check it and add water every two months! Wow ... I can't even get to all my eight batteries

RickO · 03-20-2014, 02:19 PM

In spite of the fact that it looks like you've got a brand new coach, you might have bad batteries. I bought my new coach off of the dealer's lot and it needed new batteries right away. Covered under warranty.

It' troubling that you say you can't even get to your batteries to check the water level. You'll have to do something there because you should really check them and add (distilled) water as needed at least monthly.

Rick

**pasdad1** · 03-20-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I haven't turned them off before. I have to have the coach sit in New Orleans without power for 4 days the end of this month - I guess the best thing to do is to go ahead and turn off the house batteries ... Do you check your water level? I just did a search on YouTube and someone said to check it and add water every two months! Wow ... I can't even get to all my eight batteries

I agree it would be good to find the phantom power draw.....but if you don't ....If it were me I would set the auto gen start to start the generator if the batteries are low. That way while it sits for 4 days, the batteries won't discharge past the point where they get damaged ! 8 batteries is $$$$ if you need to replace them because they went completely dead.

**TonyDi** · 03-20-2014, 03:14 PM

Assuming you have 6 house batteries, it would be hard for them to go dead on a phantom draw. You really need to get to the batteries and check the water level. If you are low the batteries will not charge and that may be your problem. You said you can't get to your batteries why not?

DebbieMH · 03-20-2014, 03:48 PM

Here's why not - they are tucked up under here. Guess I could undo all the straps and pull them out - but if I did that- where do I really check the water?

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wb7auk · 03-20-2014, 03:54 PM

I would think they are on a slide out shelf so you can get to them.
The white caps have a clamp when released allows you to remove them to
see inside the batteries for fluid.

gruelens · 03-20-2014, 11:16 PM

Wet cell lead acid batteries require checking and topping off the water level on a regular basis. Perhaps a flashlight and small mirror can be used to see into the cells. A turkey baster might work to add distilled water.

note .... there are kits available that you can pour distilled water into and it distributes the correct amount into each batt cell.

jamvir · 03-21-2014, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruelens

Wet cell lead acid batteries require checking and topping off the water level on a regular basis. Perhaps a flashlight and small mirror can be used to see into the cells. A turkey baster might work to add distilled water.

note .... there are kits available that you can pour distilled water into and it distributes the correct amount into each batt cell.

They might be sealed, then you cannot add water, and you should not have to.

the possible causes of your low voltage warning:
1) Bad batteries
2) Converter not charging batteries properly
3) Not connected to shore power long enough to fully charge the batteries
4) Large Phantom draw (you will always have some draw to power the propane and smoke detectors)
5) Low Battery indicator defective.

My recommendations:
1) Inspect the batteries - yes, you will have to unstrap and pull them out; this will give you the opportunity to add water (if not sealed), using a voltmeter measure the voltage of each battery individually (you will have to disconnect them to do this) and record them, inspect the battery connections.
2) Measure the voltage across your battery bank. Connect to shore power and measure again - you should measure roughly 14 - 16 volts dc
3) If #1 and #2 check good then after batteries are fully charged - this can take a day or so - disconnect from shore power and use an ammeter to check for a draw - you can use an ammeter with a clamp-on probe for this.

good luck,

Jim

wa8yxm · 03-21-2014, 08:29 AM

3 Suspects
1: Batteries are aging and in need of replacement
2: You have a big load (See story below) sucking them down
3: You have a bad connection (Another short story).

Short story 2: Bad connection.. I have had this coach fail to start with "Dead Battery" Symptoms 4 times, the first 3 I cleaned the connections at the battery (NOTE: all the connections epically chassis ground and battery terminals are suspect) the 4th time the battery really was bad.

Short story 1: Had a car that occasionally would not start, needed to be jumped, battery was good though. And connections clean. Save for.. Well read on.

While measuring voltages I accidently measured the voltage between the NEGATIVE battery terminal and the FRAME of the alternator.. Should be 0.00.. Was not. I then measured the voltage between the alternator frame and the engine,, Likewise, should be 0.00 was not.

I then put a STAR type lock washer under one of the alternator mounting bolts.. Voltage was now 0.00.. and it worked fine after that. Turns out the ALTERNATOR was not properly grounded. NOTE that is is bolted quite firmly into the engine block 3 bolts and it was not properly grounded.

DebbieMH · 03-21-2014, 09:27 AM

I talked to Fleetwood Customer Service this morning and they said that my battery drawing down so quickly was not normal and that I need to check the batteries for a dead cell. Then discussed how to really check the water level, as I would have to pull the DEF tank to get to several of them. After lots of discussion ... I have an appointment with a RV repair place on Tuesday to check the batteries and install a Flow-Rite Pro Fill on board battery watering system.

I will feel much better after I really get this checked out and the watering system put in place. Thanks for everyone's help.

charles tuit · 03-21-2014, 09:30 AM

To get a basic education on batteries go to:

The 12volt side of life part 1 and part 2.

**pasdad1** · 03-21-2014, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I talked to Fleetwood Customer Service this morning and they said that my battery drawing down so quickly was not normal and that I need to check the batteries for a dead cell. Then discussed how to really check the water level, as I would have to pull the DEF tank to get to several of them. After lots of discussion ... I have an appointment with a RV repair place on Tuesday to check the batteries and install a Flow-Rite Pro Fill on board battery watering system. I will feel much better after I really get this checked out and the watering system put in place. Thanks for everyone's help.

Your other option is to replace the batteries with AGM type batteries. AGM batteries never need water, and don't need any maintenance under normal conditions. Just adjust the charging parameters in the onboard charger to AGM, and then one less thing to think about. :-)