Engine Batteries - loss of charge

Question

I have a 2008 Fleetwood Expedition that began having engine battery charge problems this past summer.  I have the roof top solar trickle charger and am a full timer.  The batteries have always kept a good charge with the solar charger until this past summer.  I had the 2 batteries replaced in November thinking that they were in need, but the 2 new batteries are still discharging regardless of whether the battery switch is on or off.  I'm using a portable charger once per week to restore a full charge to the batteries while on a volunteer assignment parked in one location for 5 months.  I've never had to do this before.  The charge indicator is on for the solar charger and I cannot find anything that is on to cause the batteries to drain.  Any suggestions?  Any help or advice is much appreciated.  Larry

mrwizard · Answer

house battery disconnect' does Not disconnect engine batteries
install a manual disconnect on the engine batteries
the little light 'might' be on , but i'm guessing your solar trickle panel is bad
or the connection between it and the batteries is bad
make sure you didn't leave a 'wire' off the batteries when you put the new ones in
it happens an awful lot

lanerd · Answer

You gotta be careful of using a battery charger every week... unless it is a three stage charger and if it is then you just need to leave it on all the time. Not good to discharge and recharge often.

You need to find out if the batteries are being charged by the solar panels and you can do this easily with a volt (multi) meter. If they are not, then you need to back track the circuit and find out why. Could be just a bad connection or something could have failed.

BTW, a trickle charger will not charge up a fully discharged battery...not enough amperage.

Good luck

Ron

onaquest · Answer

If you are constantly plugged into shore power, with house battery disconnect not activated, and your house batteries are staying charged, then your chassis battery should also be charging through your aux start/isolator relay.

If this is not happening then you have BCC problem. I could help with that.

mscamping · Answer

First is your coach suppose to charge both banks when you're on shore power?? What kind/how big is your inverter??  Most coaches do not charge both banks.. You'll need to install a charger between the banks that will take the charge to the engine batteries when you're on shore power.. It sounds like the solar panels aren't keeping up with the amount of discharge you have.. Mike Mathews..

rgatijnet1 · Answer

It is Winter, was the mirror heat switch left on?

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Engine Batteries - loss of charge

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