Community Forums

RayK · 06-24-2007, 09:05 AM

First time this has happened. Getting prepared to pull out I was going through my check list and noticed that the battery to my tag along was dry. I filled the cells up and checked the charge. It was fine. However about an hour later I heard it boiling! I'm thinking after 2 summers I never had a problem. Always had a 120 line plugged into camper. I disconnected the battery until we were ready to pull out. We got to our first destination and the battery was boiling again and had very little power inside camper. After we arrived to our campsite I again disconnected the battery and hooked up to 120 for the next 5 nights. When we were ready to leave I could not get the refrig to switch over to gas and had no 12 volt system. Any suggestions?

RayK · 06-24-2007, 09:05 AM

First time this has happened. Getting prepared to pull out I was going through my check list and noticed that the battery to my tag along was dry. I filled the cells up and checked the charge. It was fine. However about an hour later I heard it boiling! I'm thinking after 2 summers I never had a problem. Always had a 120 line plugged into camper. I disconnected the battery until we were ready to pull out. We got to our first destination and the battery was boiling again and had very little power inside camper. After we arrived to our campsite I again disconnected the battery and hooked up to 120 for the next 5 nights. When we were ready to leave I could not get the refrig to switch over to gas and had no 12 volt system. Any suggestions?

Sunny · 06-24-2007, 12:09 PM

Two years is about avg for a RV battery and once you run one dry you might as well replace it. I don't know kind of converter you have but some are know to over charge the battery this is why you need to check the water often. The Refrig needs 12 volts to run on gas.

Tom

RayK · 06-24-2007, 03:16 PM

The converter is a WFCO 3 stage converter.

Jeff_in_The_Dalles · 06-24-2007, 11:59 PM

One of the cells may be shorted, causing the other cells to overcharge?

In any case, the battery needs replaced. It would also be a good idea to take some voltage readings to make sure the charger is operating as designed.

2 years to me seems like a pretty short life.

Bob Shelton · 06-25-2007, 08:59 AM

Two years how about 2 trips. Just unhooked from power supply at the house on Friday taking a weekend trip to the races and found that the rv has no power at all unless hooked up. Brand new Cherokee 285b+ got it a month ago. So I was interested when I came on the forum to ask a question and the first discussion is on my exact problem. I will check water in batteries tomorrow but I know they are working because they were able to power up and down my electric Jacks. But wont even light the green light on the propane safety indicator in the rig. When plugged in the batteries show full charge so I am not sure what to check next other than the water level which I think is ok. Please help.

Bob Shelton · 06-25-2007, 09:05 AM

Also should have mentioned that I have the double 6v system perhaps there is a problem with the connections between batteries. but a direct connection to the power jacks??

allendp · 06-25-2007, 10:54 AM

I am not being a wisecracker here but if it were me and it was that new it would be sitting at the dealer for him to solve the problem

Sunny · 06-25-2007, 01:34 PM

Bob
You may have a battery disconect switch. The power jacks are not wired to it.
Tom

Bob Shelton · 06-25-2007, 01:37 PM

Dealer in Mich. Im in Maryland. Have a warranty but need the camper 3 out of the next 4 weekends and haven't even looked for the local dealer yet. Obviously if it is something I cant fix then it will go in for work but I like to learn as much as I can about my rig.

RustyJC · 06-26-2007, 04:32 AM

My 12VDC disconnect switch is unmarked and in the same lockable cubby with the front and rear jack switches. I'd look for a disconnect switch as step #1.

Rusty

Bob Shelton · 06-28-2007, 10:07 AM

My problem solved. Breaker at batteries was tripped. Located under a little rubber flap behind battery box. Guess it can trip when batteries are run down pretty far. Will know to look here if the problem ever reoccurs.