Batteries going bad?

[brettbernier]

I have two Interstate batteries (2016 purchased)in my 5th wheel. Recently, my slides are really reticent to extend or retract while on battery power only. Not too much better when hooked up to the tow vehicle. They work fine when hooked into shore power. Is it the batteries or the charger/inverter?

[Bob_C]

Load check the batteries....

[arcaguy]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Load check the batteries....

Or buy one of these and do it yourself:
https://www.harborfreight.com/100a-6...ter-61747.html


https://www.harborfreight.com/500-am...ter-91129.html


For the Harbor Freight haters, I know it's not the best equipment but it's good enough to get the job done.



The $20 one will probably work but the other one will be able to check a pretty large alternator. Good luck.

[Arch Hoagland]

Have you measured your battery voltage?

[brettbernier]

I did have the batteries load checked. They were good. Just as an aside, after driving for 4 hours and arriving home, the batteries indicated only 75% charged. I have had them on a trickle charger now for over 5 hours and it is still in the red. Possible inverter/charger problem?

[Lt Dan]

Unless you were running a generator it's not a converter problem. Does your fiver have a charge line from the truck? If so have you checked it for power.

[Arch Hoagland]

You need to put a voltmeter on your battery terminals, measure the voltage and then start the engine.

You should see the voltage go up to about 14.2 volts or so.

And when I say terminals I mean measure directly on the post, not the cable connector part.