2012 Fleetwood Storm battery problem

[musikmeister]

I have a Fleetwood Storm and after trying to repair a battery drain problem for over a year Mike Thompson told me they would not fix it. All batteries are dead
after the RV is parked for about one week. I even installed a disconnect switch and still the same problem. Thanks Juergen

[CJBROWN]

Are you sure the batteries are not just puked?

Take them out of the chassis and have them tested. If they are dead multiple times they are probably toast. That may simply be why the won't hold a charge.

Mike Thompson employs monkeys. LOL.

You can also put an ammeter on the system to see what draw there is. If they're shut off and they go dead they must be just dead batteries. That does happen.

What are you using to charge them with? If you're just plugging into shorepower, what kind of converter do you have in there? I've seen some of the builders still putting junk converters in them.

[ga traveler]

I tried several ways to keep my batteries charged. I have been doing this since I bought my first motorhome in 1974. As the other poster said, If your batteries have completely run down several times, they are shot. If you have access to 120 volt power, I would replace the batteries and then keep them hooked to a battery maintainer. If 120 volts is not available I would go with solar panels. You can buy the smaller ones that just sit on the dash when in storage. just make sure they are powerful enough to keep up the batteries.

[usinvestment]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I tried several ways to keep my batteries charged. I have been doing this since I bought my first motorhome in 1974. As the other poster said, If your batteries have completely run down several times, they are shot. If you have access to 120 volt power, I would replace the batteries and then keep them hooked to a battery maintainer. If 120 volts is not available I would go with solar panels. You can buy the smaller ones that just sit on the dash when in storage. just make sure they are powerful enough to keep up the batteries.

Is this common? Is it recommended to hook up a battery monitor trickle charger. I can plug my RV to 120V. Just curious to what is the common recommendation.

Thank you

[CJBROWN]

Originally Posted by usinvestment

Is this common? Is it recommended to hook up a battery monitor trickle charger. I can plug my RV to 120V. Just curious to what is the common recommendation.

Thank you

Yes, it's common. Flooded lead-acid batteries self-discharge at a rate of about 1% per day. Higher at higher temps. So after 3 months you figure a battery will be pretty much fully discharged, and that's not taking into account any 'phantom loads' as they call them - any accessories that are wired direct that may consume minute amounts of power. Like a smoke alarm, propane sniffer, etc.

So yes, they need to be maintained with some way to keep them charged up without overcharging them or boiling the water out of the electrolyte.

Now the next issue is what to charge them with. Newer RV's seem to be getting better load centers and 'converters' of 110 to 12v and to charge batteries. Whatever is employed must charge at a voltage recommended by the battery manufacturer (14.4 for 12v deepcycle, 14.8 for 6V golf cart types) and must then taper off to a float charge of 13.2. This will fully charge a flooded wet cell without boiling the water out of it.

Some of the trickle chargers don't shut off and can overcharge. Many factory installed converters simply put out 13.4 volts all the time and never fully charge the batteries, and then boil the water out of them. That's why user manuals for many RV's say to not leave them plugged in for extended periods of time.

Solar is a whole 'nother can of worms. So first we need to figure out what kind of batteries are installed and what kind of converter/charger is in place. The recommendations can be made as to how best to remedy any deficiency.

[musikmeister]

Thanks everybody
I replaced the coach and both 6 volt house batteries.
The two house batteries are full but nothing works if I
start the RV after a minute i hear a click and everything works
while the engine is running after I turn of the engine after a couple of
minutes click and nothing works. If I plug in shore power again nothing
until I start the engine again.
Thanks Juergen P.

[wilanddij]

It sounds like you may have a problem in the Battery Control Center. On my 04 Southie, its located in the engine compartment on the right above the chassis battery. I don't know if things have changed between 04 and 12, but I have a trouble shooting guide for mine. If you send me a PM and include your email address I will send you a PDF copy.