Trouble with Auxilary batteries
Can anybody help me with this? Problem: Auxilary batteries do not seem to be putting out energy despite the fact that they are fully charged. I am not able to start generator from auxiliary batter...
Forum Discussion
3 in the RV wrote:
So, I had the batteries load tested and they are shot.
Recommendations on what to replace them with?
Also, any thoughts about hooking up a battery maintainer while the RV is just stored or how to help the house batteries last longer than a year. I think this is all that this set lasted for.
What sort of camping do you tend to do? If you're camping without hookups for relatively long times (more than an overnight or possibly a weekend), you probably want as much battery capacity as you can reasonably get. Frequently this would be a pair of 6V GC2 batteries connected in series, assuming you have sufficient space (including height) for them.
If you only camp with hookups, a single 12V battery should be entirely sufficient.
A good multistage converter, such as a PD 92xx or 46xx series, will not destroy batteries if left connected and powered up in storage. Many RVs unfortunately don't come from the factory with a good multistage converter. A solar setup with a decent charge controller will likewise keep the batteries in good shape assuming you have light where you store the RV. A standalone charger/maintainer could also be used, though not all such devices are particularly good.
If no charger is used, the batteries must be disconnected (often the disconnect switch doesn't remove every load from the battery) and can reasonably be expected to sit without losing too much charge due to self-discharge for times varying between a week or two or three (in hot weather) to a year or more (in very cold weather). The rate of self-discharge is strongly correlated with temperature.
