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DRL · 09-22-2014, 10:34 PM

I have a '96 American Tradition. It's got a pair of group 31 batteries for the chassis batteries. For some odd reason, they'll intermittently start cooking. I'll have the coach plugged in for days with the charger giving the batteries a trickle charge or more if needed, then all of a sudden it will start over charging the chassis batteries only. It cooks them so much the acid is spewing out the top. I'll unplug the coach and let it cool down for a few days, then plug it back in and it'll be fine, sometimes for a few days or even weeks. Then it will randomly do it again. It's also done it a couple of times while driving, no shore power. We went on a couple of trips this summer where we had 8+ hour drives. I'd periodically check the batter temperature at random stops, then towards the end of those long drives, they'd start cooking the same as when plugged in. I've checked voltage thinking maybe a voltage regulator is bad but I'll have 13.5 or so volts even when they are getting cooked.

Anybody have any ideas?

I'm assuming there's a separate charger for my chassis batteries? I don't have any issues with the coach batteries, my inverter charger takes care of those without any issues.

Any insight would be much appreciated!!!

Dwayne & Shara · 09-23-2014, 07:04 AM

mine did the same thing on my 1990 HR it fried my batteries. so I looked at the charger it was fine putting out the right volts. so I went to a friend at interstate batteries. he said he had seen it before. they put two batteries in the coach for a 97 f-250 not sure of the group number and no more problem! they say a diesel pick up battery is made to take a charge all the time where some are not. this fixed ours hope this helps.

**pasdad1** · 09-23-2014, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRL

I've checked voltage thinking maybe a voltage regulator is bad but I'll have 13.5 or so volts even when they are getting cooked.
Any insight would be much appreciated!!!

The alternator regulator is fixed at approximately 13.5 - 13.8 volts.... And will keep this voltage constant as long as it has excess capacity to do so....this is normal and should not "cook" starting batteries that are in good condition. I believe you have one or more bad cells in your starting batteries. Have them tested and replaced if necessary.

DRL · 09-23-2014, 11:11 PM

I appreciate the responses!

The batteries seem to be OK if I catch them quick enough when they start cooking. Although now they are showing 10.9 volts after setting for a couple days after I last caught them getting cooked. I don't know if they cooked for an hour or a full day. I wish I knew if there was a bad battery causing them to get cooked or if they are getting cooked causing them to go bad. Last thing I want to do is buy another set of batteries and ruin them as well. The current batteries are only a year old. I'm leaning towards something is causing them to get cooked. Does anybody have a wiring schematic for a '96 American Tradition?

The thing that really leaves me scratching my head is the fact that they have been cooked when driving (alternator charging) or when plugged in (charger charging), but totally random. It will be plugged in for weeks with no problems, then I'll drive it somewhere and it will do it. Then drive it more with no problems and plug it in for a few weeks and it randomly will start cooking them.

DieselTech39 · 09-23-2014, 11:20 PM

I'm with Pasdad on this, especially since they have loss charge in such a short time. Get a hydrometer and check cell. My guess is you'll find one that is low. Remember some new batteries can have bad cells, so year old batteries is not a stretch. Also check all cable connections. Remove them and clean them. Reinstall and coat with protectant. All means both the battery end and the other end of each cable, especially the ground cables.