|
|
12-04-2020, 01:05 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 21
|
Dead batteries
I have 2013 Hidden Open Road 32 footer. I have it stored in a covered facility that is not heated and there is no electricity available. I ran it for 45 minutes about ten or so days ago. I went this morning and the engine batteries barely turned the diesel over and the house batteries won't turn on an led light. Tried the assist start that uses all batteries but no luck.
It's been freezing in the 20 s at night for over a week. My questions: does this seem usual for them to weaken that quickly?
I plan to take my generator over tomorrow and charge them. Would running it through the invertor be sufficient or can I do that as well as adding a charger to the batteries or would that cause damage? I want to try and run the furnace to heat the interior up good while charging. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
12-04-2020, 01:19 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
|
With the batteries that low, the inverter/charger may not kick in. Many need to sense 8 or more volts to start charging.
Bring along a charger and charge the house batteries, while the shore power is plugged in. Once the batteries get up some, the inverter/charger will take over.
Once the house batteries are up enough, start the generator and let that run the charger. After a while, the charging should start on the chassis batteries.
If not, hook your portable charger to them.
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 03:24 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NorCal
Posts: 3,000
|
If your batteries are marginal the low ambient temps you now have will cause batteries to not hold a charge, may be time to replace them. You might want to check into a solar battery charger to help keep them up.
__________________
Outbound
2002 Monaco Executive 500 ISM
2004 GMC 2500HD 4X4
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 03:31 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,090
|
If your RV doesn't have a battery disconnect switch built-in I suggest adding one like this or one for top terminals.
https://www.amazon.com/WirthCo-20128.../dp/B000CQFWLY
That will solve the problem.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 06:20 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,593
|
Re-charge the battery banks, then disconnect the negative cables. A fully-charged lead-acid battery self-discharges at 5% per month and will not freeze until under 50% state of charge.. There is no need to run a diesel engine at low idle, it does more harm than good.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 07:50 PM
|
#6
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 21
|
think I will replace them. Any recommendations? I bought this used last year but I suppose these are the original batteries. I will be checking tomorrow.
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 07:52 PM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 21
|
is this to disconnect when stored and will it prevent power loss as fast?
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 07:54 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 21
|
my first diesel. Is it safe to let sit for months without running some? I figured every couple weeks to run it just to keep things moving.
|
|
|
12-04-2020, 07:57 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 590
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Outbound
You might want to check into a solar battery charger to help keep them up.
|
He's in covered storage.
__________________
Traveling Full Timers
Gas Motorhome
Escapees, Maintenance Freak
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 12:22 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,090
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigtoups
is this to disconnect when stored and will it prevent power loss as fast?
|
Yes your batteries will stay charged longer if all parasite drainage is removed.
I disconnect my engine battery every time I'm stored for more than a week.
You could also just remove the negative terminal on the engine batteries making sure it is wrapped in a plastic bag so no accidental shorting can occur.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 03:48 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Rendon, Texas
Posts: 1,455
|
As mentioned earlier, a battery disconnect, or removing one negative cable, will keep any parasitic draw from occurring. We use the disconnect for both the house and chassis batteries and have had great success with keeping the batteries charged enough for starting even after a couple of months sitting idle.
__________________
May your smiles be many and the miles be plenty.
Karen & Allen Van Zandt
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 06:37 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,091
|
Running the engine at idle for 45 minutes will do more harm than good. At idle the alternator will only put out a small portion of its rated power so it will not be able to fully charge the batteries. It will take close to 24 hrs to fully charge your battery bank . For storage , make sure the batteries are fully charged , the disconnect them by removing the cables.
When I put my equipment into storage , the diesels are not run for up to nine months so letting it sit will not do any harm to the engine. If you decide to run it , it has to be driven for a couple of hours to get the engine up to operating temperature and allow the moisture to be driven out.
__________________
1993 Tiffin Allegro Bay 32'
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 06:50 AM
|
#13
|
Junior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 3
|
Looks like my RV will spend this winter outside, with no shore power. Any tips on good brands of shore power and how best to set them up? I have a 2020 Tiffin Allegro RED - 6 batteries in all.
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 07:04 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,867
|
Yup, best storage advice for a diesel is to ONLY start the engine if you can drive 25+ highway miles-- enough to get the oil, not just coolant up to temperature. Anything less just adds moisture to the engine.
Also, add a BIOCIDE such as Biobar JF to the diesel and completely fill the tank to reduce condensation.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|