Second issue we could use some help with. We are brand new to RV'ing and have a 2003 Winnebago Itasca Sunova. We were noticing issues with the house batteries staying charged, so we replaced them with brand new ones as it had sat for awhile and we suspected they might be bad. We took it out for the first time, and while driving for about 7 hours, we lost all power in the house and from our levels check looked like the house batteries were dead, leading us to believe the alternator on the engine is not charging the house batteries. With the generator running, we started to get some charge back on them but thought with that long of a trip the alternator would also be charging the house batteries. I feel like this may be a simple fix and be due to lack of knowledge on our part of how things work, but any insight as to what could be the issue would be appreciated.

You, or someone qualified to check your charging system needs to do just that.Failure points could be:Alternator and wiring to it (sense wire? excite wire? if so fit)Wiring from alternator to battery isolatorBattery isolatorWiring from isolator to house battery bank.The battery isolator is a good place to check using a digital voltmeter.

It is a very simple check. Check your battery voltage after the charging has stopped say 4 hrs after. Your batteries should read 12.5 volts or higher if your batteries are good and you have nothing on to drain the batteries. Start the engine and check the batteries again with engine running you should read 13.8 to 14.2 volts. If you do your alternator is working as it should. Do you have a volt meter or muti meter?

I would either combine your two posts or perhaps see if a moderator can do that for you. I believe your two issues are related. The fridge needs 12VDC whether it's on propane or electric. When you installed the new batteries everything went well while they were charged. As they discharged your fridge alerted you they were dead. Do you have a meter and know how to use it?....Dennis

My husband has a multi meter, he can do this test when he gets home and I will report back.

Your new batteries will also "go bad" if you don't keep them charged, if you don't recharge fully daily when in use etc. Do some basic RV electric reading.

Issue with house batteries | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2020
Your new batteries will also "go bad" if you don't keep them charged, if you don't recharge fully daily when in use etc. Do some basic RV electric reading.
bgosden
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
My husband has a multi meter, he can do this test when he gets home and I will report back.
Executive45
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2020
I would either combine your two posts or perhaps see if a moderator can do that for you. I believe your two issues are related. The fridge needs 12VDC whether it's on propane or electric. When you installed the new batteries everything went well while they were charged. As they discharged your fridge alerted you they were dead. Do you have a meter and know how to use it?....Dennis
Gjac
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2020
It is a very simple check. Check your battery voltage after the charging has stopped say 4 hrs after. Your batteries should read 12.5 volts or higher if your batteries are good and you have nothing on to drain the batteries. Start the engine and check the batteries again with engine running you should read 13.8 to 14.2 volts. If you do your alternator is working as it should. Do you have a volt meter or muti meter?
wolfe10
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
You, or someone qualified to check your charging system needs to do just that.

Failure points could be:

Alternator and wiring to it (sense wire? excite wire? if so fit)
Wiring from alternator to battery isolator
Battery isolator
Wiring from isolator to house battery bank.

The battery isolator is a good place to check using a digital voltmeter.

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Issue with house batteries

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