Battery question

[glennjdavis]

House battery question for my 2004 Coachman Freelander 3100. When plugged into shore power the battery reads full strength on the level indicators, if RV is off shore power and just sitting in my yard using no inside power the battery will die down (so much so that the CO2 sensors start to beep). We have already been on a camping trip (no hookups) and the battery got low over night where I could not turn on any lights or appliances, had to start the RV then start the generator for a while. Two part question 1. when the RV is on shore power is it charging the battery? 2. Should I be using a battery tender on the battery even if it is sitting on shore power?

Typically RV is always plugged in when sitting idle between uses, currently has one 12v battery (not sure how old as I only had this RV for one year.

[twinboat]

Shore power should charge the battery, but you need to leave the Use/Store switch in the Use position.

Charge the battery a few hours, disconnect a cable overnight and then check voltage.

A disconnected battery should stay charged for months. If The volts start to drop in a few days, replace it.

[powercat_ras]

The battery charge gauge is just based on voltage, when plugged into shore power if your converter is working it will always read all lights (full). Even with everything off in your RV the sensors will draw power and slowly drain the battery about 6 to 10 amp-hours per day.

If your RV battery charge gauge drops to 1/4 in less than about 5 days after being plugged in for a day, then your battery likely is the culprit and it may be time for a replacement.

[lenkerb]

maybe a dead cell in one or both batteries. Have them checked. We just replaced our two house batteries with two Optima...

[Charles L]

Check the level inside the battery. The cells should be full to the bottom of the two slots or close to it near the top. Use distilled water to top them off. I just replaced my two coach batteries because one went dry in 4 cells. This all happened in about 5 weeks plugged in at my house. I have a spare battery now. If you smell sulfide gas or the detector alarms check your battery. It is probably too late at that point.

["007"]

See if this helps.

[glennjdavis]

Thanks for the responses, I think you guys have confirmed my thoughts the battery is bad, it loses charge when the RV is not plugged in with in a day.

Any recommendations for a decent not overly priced battery for a non full timer?

[Charles L]

Walmart 27dc is what i used. About $80.00.