Batteries

[Wil_H]

We had to purchase all new AGM batteries for our coach this summer. The originals were only 4 years old. The new batteries are Lifeline GPL 6CT 12V.
Apparently, our storage facility (NIRVC) did it again and allowed the batteries to run down. Someone unplugged our surge protectors which were installed in the power bay and didn't bother to make sure that the coach was getting power from the mains.

Does anyone know at what voltage the Magnum inverter turns off when the batteries drain down? How much damage would this have caused to these new 8 very expensive batteries?


It appears that the batteries are bulk charging now at 12.6V, with the batteries at 12.27V. This seems way too low a voltage. Of course, we are nowhere near the coach.


Thank you,

[SJ-Chris]

Obviously, you need to get them fully charged asap. It certainly isn't good for your batteries, but if they get drained like this just once they should be mostly fine. Unfortunately, you won't know until 3-4 years from now...


When in storage, you might consider something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SBFKM5Y


If your batteries are fully charged when you put them in storage, and you disconnect them, they should have no problem sitting for 3-5 months. Generally speaking, if possible I would recommend you checking on your RV at least once a month anyhow (for many reasons). During that check, you can run the generator for 30-45 minutes and it will keep everything fully charged.


Good luck!
Chris

[Wil_H]

Thanks, SJ. We are 600 miles away and cannot check on the coach during storage. That is what we are paying thousands a year for. Very frustrating.

[SJ-Chris]

Originally Posted by Wil_H

It appears that the batteries are bulk charging now at 12.6V, with the batteries at 12.27V. This seems way too low a voltage. Of course, we are nowhere near the coach.

If the batteries were drained pretty low, the won't immediately show a charge voltage of 13.6v or higher. It will take some time (many hours, 5-10?, I would imagine if you have 8 batteries) until the charge voltage can build up to higher voltages. Give it a little time. It should climb up to 13.6+


Good luck!
Chris

[SafariBen]

That "+100A" suggests the charger is putting out it's full amp output, so the voltage shows that it just started charging, I bet within 30 minutes the voltage is up to a respectable 13+V and close to 14V within an hour or so. Then the amps will gradually drop as it maintains that voltage. Frustrating, but shouldn't do any major damage to AGM.

[C.Martin]

There is a programable setting in the Inverter Setup called LBCO, you can look at the setting thru the remote menu...at least in ours with the ME-RC remote. LBCO is Low Vattery Cutout. This is only for the Inverter. It will cutout. You still have other drains, that will continue to drain beyond that. The LBCO is like a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding. This buys you some time...to recognize and remedy the situation. You can reprogram the setting. Set it higher if you aren't drawing large loads...and aren't being very attentive to managing the coaches status. Set it lower, if you are being very attentive, and this will prevent nuisance shutdowns caused by drawing a large load...ie the Microwave, blow dryer, ceramic heater, toaster oven coffee maker, etc...

Bulk just means the charger is putting out the set amperage. Default is 80%...and the MS2812 has a 125A charger...so 100A. Incidentally the Lifelines can handle much more than say Intertate FLA batteries. You can reprogram your setting to 100%.

When the BULK charge results in a voltage equivalent to your Absorb setting...it will switch to a constant voltage by constantly reducing your amperage. After the Absorb Time is met...the charger will drop down to float voltage. The final charge is adjustable...Float or Multi...and you may notice "water saver" mode where the charger drops out for periods to reduce water consumption on FLA batteries.

[Soppy]

The inverter will shut down somewhere around 10 volts, but there will be other DC loads that will keep draining the batteries . Without knowing how long or how low the voltage got, it will be hard to determine how much damage may have been done to the batteries. It looks like your charger is working properly and will take at least a day or so to fully recharge the batteries.
The best solution when your coach goes into storage is to make sure the batteries are fully charged , then disconnect them. This will ensure that they cannot get accidentally discharged.

[OMMM4747]

Good suggestions have been offered and although this post will not directly address your issue, I feel it's worth mentioning.

We have a SimpliSafe security system on our coach. It is stand-alone and unmonitored. If my public storage or a park we're staying at ever loses power, we're alerted via the phone app. You don't need Wi-Fi for this feature to work because the phone app is reporting the base station's status via cell towers. I know because our storage location has lost power a handful of times and we receive an app notice when it happens. If you're in a park w/poor cell reception, then Wi-Fi will report. We've experienced both instances.

Good luck

[Wil_H]

We had a delightful chat with Brett Davis and Alex regarding the situation. We determined the probable cause of the surge protector being unplugged and the confusion that resulted in the coach not having mains power.
Procedures are being implemented to reduce or eliminate such confusion in the future.
It is always a pleasure to talk with Brett and his staff - this is what customer service should be everywhere.
Again, a big thank you to Brett and Alex for their time and attention.

[BrettDavis]

Originally Posted by Wil_H

We had a delightful chat with Brett Davis and Alex regarding the situation. We determined the probable cause of the surge protector being unplugged and the confusion that resulted in the coach not having mains power.
Procedures are being implemented to reduce or eliminate such confusion in the future.
It is always a pleasure to talk with Brett and his staff - this is what customer service should be everywhere.
Again, a big thank you to Brett and Alex for their time and attention.

Good afternoon Wil_H,

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them my friend!

As usual, it was a real treat getting to chat with you and Donna! You’re ever the gentleman and Donna’s always a Sweetheart!

All the best my friend,
Brett

[RickM-4369]

If you do not have to have shore power and have 110V available, I am using a NoCo GenPro-10 battery charger and maintainer that keeps my house batteries (8 6v lead acid) charged and another GenPro-10 to maintain my chassis batteries (2 12v Freightliner). This works if you are able to store and disconnect/turn off batteries .