Community Forums

LizCarmel · 12-10-2013, 08:02 AM

Why would my batteries be reading low when I'm plugged in?

I was plugged into 50A from Weds.-Monday (yesterday). While there, my batteries read at 5 out of 5. I drove over 200 miles and plugged into 50A on Monday afternoon. This morning the battery level reads at only 3 out of 5. The volts read at 11.4.

Is this normal? I haven't seen it before.

I had my electrical compartment rebuilt a week ago.

Thank you.

Liz

wa8yxm · 12-10-2013, 08:18 AM

Is this normal. DO not know. depends on many things.

For example. what converter do you have?> Did you "Upgrade" to a residential fridge, or is your RV fridge 3-way, How much power do you suck.

Sounds, however, like a bad cell in a battery to me.. I have one of those (Currently excised (Discoonnected) but I have one I need to replace before my next major trip come June or July.

Dr4Film · 12-10-2013, 08:27 AM

Nope, not normal.

They should be Floating around 13.5 or 13.7 VDC or so when plugged in and fully charged.

If they are at 11.4 VDC they have actually discharged more than the recommended 50% SOC. House batteries should never be discharged lower than the recommended 12.1 VDC or so.

When they are that low and the charger is working correctly they should read about 14.3 VDC or so when being charged.

The battery changing system needs to be checked out to see whats not working correctly.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Luv2go · 12-10-2013, 08:29 AM

My suspicion is it is not normal at all, especially since you had the electrical compartment rebuilt a week ago. Can you get back to the person/company that rebuilt it easily? They should be able to fix the issue.

Newmars generally have BIRD systems which will charge the house battery while driving, and the converter/inverter/charger should keep the battery topped up while plugged in. I suspect something did not get hooked back up right.

If possible, put an external battery charger on the battery and get it charged up. Letting it stay at 11.4V for a few days will ruin it, if it is not bad already as wa8yxm suggested. If it is bad, the external charger won't charge it.

LizCarmel · 12-10-2013, 08:33 AM

Thanks. I just called the shop that did the repairs. He suggested I check the fuses in the battery chargers. He also said that they filled and cleaned all the house batteries as a courtesy while rebuilding the electrical compartment. He said I need new house batteries.

Both battery chargers are brand new.

Liz

mel s · 12-10-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizCarmel

Why would my batteries be reading low when I'm plugged in?

I was plugged into 50A from Weds.-Monday (yesterday). While there, my batteries read at 5 out of 5. I drove over 200 miles and plugged into 50A on Monday afternoon. This morning the battery level reads at only 3 out of 5. The volts read at 11.4.
Is this normal? I haven't seen it before.

I had my electrical compartment rebuilt a week ago.

Thank you.
Liz

Liz
What was wrong with your electrical compartment before you had it rebuilt?

It appares the "re-builder" of your electrical compartment mis-wired something!
Hopefully the shop that did the re-build will correct their mistake.

Some shops will correct their errors at no charge.
However, (in my experience), many/most will deny any/all responsibility!

Good luck.
Mel
'96 Safari

LizCarmel · 12-10-2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

Liz
What was wrong with your electrical compartment before you had it rebuilt?

Mel:

There was a fire in the electrical compartment in early November. There is a thread on it.

I would go back to the shop that did the repairs but am over 200 miles south (Virginia Beach) and prefer the rain here to the ice and snow there (northern Virginia).

The batteries were being charged while I was camped in northern Virginia. I noticed the problem after driving to Virginia Beach.

Liz

TVforMyRV · 12-10-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizCarmel

Mel:

There was a fire in the electrical compartment in early November. There is a thread on it.

I would go back to the shop that did the repairs but am over 200 miles south (Virginia Beach) and prefer the rain here to the ice and snow there (northern Virginia).

The batteries were being charged while I was camped in northern Virginia. I noticed the problem after driving to Virginia Beach.

Liz

Liz,

If you're plugged in, and your batteries are below 12V you indeed have a problem. It would be my suspicion that your new charger may have failed. I would try to have another conversation with the shop who did the work. You may have a warranty claim, and you want to proceed carefully to try to make sure you get it covered.

McRvnut · 12-10-2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizCarmel

Why would my batteries be reading low when I'm plugged in?

I was plugged into 50A from Weds.-Monday (yesterday). While there, my batteries read at 5 out of 5. I drove over 200 miles and plugged into 50A on Monday afternoon. This morning the battery level reads at only 3 out of 5. The volts read at 11.4.

Is this normal? I haven't seen it before.

I had my electrical compartment rebuilt a week ago.

Thank you.

Liz

I have read other posts here and have to ask.ARE your LITES and FURNACE and FRIDGE all operating at 100%??? IF they are then your getting a false read out from your monitor panel. If your having trouble with theses items running slow or dim or whatever then your in trouble because your batteys are not charging and are dead. which is your situation ????
The repair guy saying u need new batterys? based on what ??

chboone · 12-10-2013, 11:57 AM

Liz,
If you are unable to check the output from your charger, fuses, breakers or batteries ask the park where your at if they have someone that can assist you. Could have been a surge when hooking up your shore line that caused the problem. If you do have someone check it and they suspect a problem with the installation, don't have anything done without talking to the original shop first.

Chuck

mel s · 12-10-2013, 12:19 PM

Liz
You can get your batteries tested at most any RV service shop, (or at a battery shop/store).

A good one will not charge for the tests......(a great one will test them free and tell you the truth).

Mel
'96 Safari

McRvnut · 12-10-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chboone

Liz,
If you are unable to check the output from your charger, fuses, breakers or batteries ask the park where your at if they have someone that can assist you. Could have been a surge when hooking up your shore line that caused the problem. If you do have someone check it and they suspect a problem with the installation, don't have anything done without talking to the original shop first.

Chuck

BUT!!! like I asked her she has not indicated that she has any actual problems?
until she verifys what I asked in my post iam not assuming she has any real problems

chboone · 12-10-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRvnut

BUT!!! like I asked her she has not indicated that she has any actual problems?
until she verifys what I asked in my post iam not assuming she has any real problems

Yes, I agree. However, she needs to verify what the battery voltage is. If she is unable or not comfortable doing it, she needs to ask if there is someone that can help her. We can post suggestions all day, but if she cannot to the checks all the suggestions in the world are useless.

Chuck

McRvnut · 12-10-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chboone

Yes, I agree. However, she needs to verify what the battery voltage is. If she is unable or not comfortable doing it, she needs to ask if there is someone that can help her. We can post suggestions all day, but if she cannot to the checks all the suggestions in the world are useless.

Chuck

well she sure needs to verify something before any of us can help her because as it stands there may not be any problems?? How in the world would she be able to live in the MH if the batterys were dead and charger not working?
surely the Christ she would notice no fridge,(if lpg) no lites and no furnace etc