House Batteries Dead?

[akadeadeye]

Well, will this first year learning curve ever end?

We got back from a long weekend trip over the 4th of July and took our MH in for a couple of minor service items. The dealership was running behind so it has been there for 12 days now. I awoke in the middle of the night last night remembering I had not turned off our Norcold 12v/110v refrigerator/freezer unit we have in a basement compartment. So, it has been running on 12v house batteries all this time and the MH was not plugged in.

I went out to the dealership this morning and checked on it. No power in the coach at all. No lights, no radio light, nothing. I turned off the frig unit but it did not have a power light on anyway. Nothing but beverages in there. I assume the batteries were drained all the way down.

I added this to the "minor" repair list.

Is there any way they can be completely recharged, or did I ruin them? There are 4 deep cycle 12v batteries.

If they are ruined, what batteries should I replace them with?

Don

[deandec]

It is likely you shortened the life of your batteries, but did not ruin them.

Think of golf carts that get run down during a busy day, and then recharged. They too are powered by deep cycle storage batteries.

The longest life is probably attained by only discharging to 12.2 V before recharging the battery bank.

Start the engine to get some voltage back into the house batteries or run your generator.

After eight years, I am still in my first year...

[Harry B]

12V on the fridge means it operated on propane. As I understand it the propane mode only draws 2+ amps or so and should not flatten the batteries like that. Something else is on as well.

[ImagineIF]

Dean is right. Not likely needing replacement. Just recharge them and enjoy.

Gil

[akadeadeye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry B 12V on the fridge means it operated on propane. As I understand it the propane mode only draws 2+ amps or so and should not flatten the batteries like that. Something else is on as well.

Thanks for your responses.

And, Harry. It is not our coach frig, but a basement extra frig which runs on 12v or AC. No propane running to this one. It is like an electric ice chest which you can dial from refrigerator to freezer. Pretty handy.

I have been told by others as well that I have probably shortened the life of the batteries but that they will probably recharge.

Thanks again.

Don