Forum Discussion

Explorer

Nov 09, 2014

Batteries dead...won't start

Tried to start the RV after not using it for a while and it won't start. It was connected to shore power (30 amp) the entire time with battery switches on and the charger on. The water level on the house batteries is fine, and the chassis batteries are no maintenance batteries.When attempting to start, it gets momentary current and attempts to start. Then it stops and the entire dash display goes dark.

Tried to use auxiliary start (boost) and get power to dash display, but still will not turn over. According to the manual, chassis batteries should be charged by the charger when connected to shore power. I also ran the generator for three hours, but it didn't help.

Not sure what to do next. Any ideas?

Class A

olfarmer
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2014
Yes as stated above, clean all battery terminals and the ground to chassis. A lot of times the terminals will run the low power stuff like dash lights but when the high current draw of the starter is applied everything goes out because of high resistance. Lf the batteries are truly dead after being charged it is time to replace them.
trop-a-cal
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Probably a bad ground.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Clean all high amperage connections, report back.
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2014
Sounds like dead batteries. I suggest you put a charge on the chassis batteries. It might be your shore power may not be charging, or your chassis battery is bad. Try jump starting. That will give you a clue at the very least.
campingman55
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
on mine the house batt are charged by the shore power if your house batt are charged use jumper cables to jump from house to chassie batt