Community Forums

ThorEvo1029 · 06-26-2014, 11:03 PM

Does anyone know if RV house batteries come fully charged? I just had two new ones installed and after very little use they show only 2/3's charged on the LED battery control center. I will be looking to buy a voltmeter to test them but was wondering if this is just due to them being new batteries in need of a full charge.

gruelens · 06-27-2014, 12:17 AM

I would not concern myself with any readings from the factory "idiot" lights. Get a digital voltmeter. Fully charge your new batteries. Then check voltage of batts at rest before and after use. If you get voltage readings that disagree with usage, then I would be concerned.

RV Wizard · 06-27-2014, 03:51 AM

If you are plugged in or have the generator running, check to verify the charging system in the coach is working properly. You should have 13.2 - 14.5 vdc at the battery post. Make sure the battery disconnect is on.

Snomas1 · 06-27-2014, 06:22 AM

They may or may not come fully charged. Do as they say above and you will know their status.

Robar · 06-27-2014, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

......... Make sure the battery disconnect is on.

If the battery disconnect is on, battery disconnected, will the charging circuit from the smart charger work? I would think not.

So, leaving the MH for the winter with it plugged in and a smart charger, the BDS should be left on, right?

mchero · 06-27-2014, 06:47 AM

DONT DISCHARGE THOSE BATTERIES! Worst thing you can do with them!
As the others have posted, make sure your converter is charging. Properly maintained W/o ANY deep discharges you should get 8 to 10 years of life.

I bought 4 Sams Club golf cart 6VDC batteries bacj in 05 and they are still going strong.

Upgraded to an 07 discover & I believe I'll be replacing the batteries soon. Will head to Sams Club for the new batts

golfpgb · 06-27-2014, 07:24 AM

I purchased two 6V batteries from Sams and the voltage on them measured 6.2VDC.

The original batteries in our, new to us, Bounder were almost dead. Voltage measured 5.8VDC. I took them to Interstate battery to recharge them. It took two days to charge the batteries to full charge. The batteries were good but had lost their charge.

Found out a fuse was blown on the converter and would not charge the batteries. The previous owner installed the new batteries two months ago.
Not sure if the previous dead batteries blew the fuse trying to charge them from a dead state.

As mentioned earlier do not let the batteries go completely dead. If you do remove them and charge them from another source. I do not believe the inverter is capable of charging the batteries from a dead state.

Robar · 06-27-2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robar

If the battery disconnect is on, battery disconnected, will the charging circuit from the smart charger work? I would think not.

So, leaving the MH for the winter with it plugged in and a smart charger, the BDS should be left on, right?

Meant to say:If the battery disconnect is OFF, battery disconnected, will the charging circuit from the smart charger work? I would think not.

wa8yxm · 06-27-2014, 04:37 PM

First: Any battery not connected to a charger system is NOT fully charged, the very instant you disconnect, the state of charge starts to go down.. VERY VERY SLOWLY on new batteries but it is going down. So technically the answer to teh O/P's question is NO.

That said some stores do maintain batteries on a charger, epically if you call ahead, and in that case they might well be 99.999999 percent full when you pick 'em up.

Most stores do not.