Community Forums

Shotokan · 01-10-2022, 10:46 AM

We just took delivery of a 2022 Bay Star 3014 at the end of November. We spent a few nights with full hookups at a campground nearby, so I assume that the house batteries were fully charged when we departed the campground. At home, I went out to the coach 4-5 days later and the battery level registered 11.8 volts (on both the level meter display and the Xantrex inverter panel meter display).

I did not have it plugged into shore power during this period, but we weren't running anything that would draw the batteries down that much. We have an RV refrigerator (not residential), and I shut it off within a few hours of returning home. I ran the slides (bedroom and full-wall) a few times, but always with the generator running (as recommended by Newmar). I think the only things that should have been drawing power is the microwave clock and the inverter.

So, I decided to test it. I connected shore power until the Xantrex panel indicated that it had achieved float charging. I disconnected shore power and started monitoring voltage. The Xantrex panel indicated no draw (0 amps) at all times. Here are the results (hours after full charge / voltage):
0 hrs / 13.2V
1 hr / 13.0V
3 hrs / 12.9V
5 hrs / 12.8V
10 hrs / 12.6V
13 hrs / 12.5V
26 hrs / 12.5V
38 hrs / 12.4V

Both the level meter and the Xantrex meter agreed on the voltage except for the final reading at 38 hours, the Xantrex showed 12.3 while the level meter showed 12.4. I understand that it takes a while after charging to get an accurate state of charge, explaining the drop in the first 10 hours, but is the drop from 12.6V to 12.4V (or 12.3V) to be expected over a period of 28 hours under the conditions that I describe?

Thanks in advance for your help.
-Bob

"007" · 01-10-2022, 12:00 PM

You have many items that will drain your batteries, and to avoid this is to plug your shore line into a 120 or 11o outlet and keep your battery cut off, BCO switch on at all times when driving coach or able to connect your shore line.
This link will explain your battery charging system and lots to read about it and your new owners guide will also.
If the batteries were never recharged by dealer or water levels checked that maybe a problem also.

Congratulations 0n your new coach and being a member now on the Newmar forum.

The link I gave you will cover many situations about your batteries and many other items to read after the charging problem is resolved, which maybe just have your coach plugged in to fully charge the batteries.

Steve-W · 01-10-2022, 12:06 PM

With the house battery disconnect on and the inverter (power to the inverter does not go through the house battery disconnect, it is directly wired to the battery bank) on there will be a load on the batteries. This will be the case if no other loads are on, this is what is called parasitic loads. Even with the battery disconnect & inverter off a few things will draw down the batteries.

For long term storage without shore power it is best to disconnect the negative leads from the battery bank.

Bay Star's can have 3 different battery configurations, that will also determine how long it takes to deplete the batteries. Which battery configuration do you have?
Which inverter 1000 or 2000 watt?

Stevegd007 · 01-10-2022, 12:07 PM

Lots of gremlins robbing power. Too many to chase.
Ditto what "007" posted.

jl.kauai · 01-10-2022, 12:21 PM

You might want to have the batteries tested by a competent business since your coach is probably on a warranty. Batteries are probably warranties by whoever made them. If you have a dead short in one of them it could be an issue. I would start there before you troubleshoot your system. Good luck, Travato John

Shotokan · 01-10-2022, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-W

Bay Star's can have 3 different battery configurations, that will also determine how long it takes to deplete the batteries. Which battery configuration do you have?
Which inverter 1000 or 2000 watt?

Hi Steve, we have a 2000W Xantrex Freedom inverter and six 6-volt 225Ah batteries (4 on the battery tray in the battery compartment and 2 in the engine compartment).

BTW, the voltage just fell to 12.3 (44 hours after a full charge).

77Travco · 01-10-2022, 02:03 PM

Keep it plugged in or disconnect the batt bank.

Shotokan · 01-10-2022, 02:05 PM

Thanks to 007 and others. I'll check the battery fluid levels although I took delivery within a few weeks of production, so it seems unlikely that they are low. Right now, I'm just trying to figure out whether it's a problem at all. If the voltage loss I'm observing is typical parasitic drain then the batteries are probably okay and I'll just have to manage them accordingly.

Shotokan · 01-10-2022, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Travco

Keep it plugged in or disconnect the batt bank.

Thanks for the advice. At this point, I'm also trying to figure out how often (and for how long) I can expect to run the generator while boondocking.

Steve-W · 01-10-2022, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotokan

Hi Steve, we have a 2000W Xantrex Freedom inverter and six 6-volt 225Ah batteries (4 on the battery tray in the battery compartment and 2 in the engine compartment).

BTW, the voltage just fell to 12.3 (44 hours after a full charge).

That is the same configuration that I have. With the inverter on and the other phantom loads that is about what I would expect. Your TV’s also consume a bit when in standby.

If you disconnect the battery negatives for storage there will be three cables to remove on the front battery pair. 2 cables on the rear batteries one one each post of the 2 pairs.

ArtJoyce · 01-10-2022, 04:21 PM

There is a lot of things that draw power off the batteries. The big one are Propane/CO detectors, others include radio preset, tv antenna amplifier, wifi gear, monitor systems, etc...

Best rule is turn off the master switch.

But you could have some poor batteries. Charge them for 24 hours. Disconnect the primary ground. Check voltage it should have like 13.xv across the battery bank. A week later check the voltage it should be about 12.7 to 12.8 that's good.

Shotokan · 01-10-2022, 04:51 PM

Everyone, thanks for the help and advice. It sounds like my battery system is operating more or less in the normal range. I will just have to start up the generator a little more often than I hoped to do while boondocking.

77Travco · 01-11-2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotokan

Everyone, thanks for the help and advice. It sounds like my battery system is operating more or less in the normal range. I will just have to start up the generator a little more often than I hoped to do while boondocking.

We do a lot of motorcycle rallies with no shore power. I usually run our gen-set for 90 minutes every 12 hours when boondocking to help keep the batts topped off. I like to add a load like an AC or heat pump so as not to run the gen-set unloaded.