So we recently (June) purchased abused 04 Winnebago adventurer and have been running into issues (blown head gasket) most recently my house batteries which are brand new and are 6V. Well now they are showing 0 volts in the cabin. Can't start generator, refrigerator, lights on the inside. What could possibily be the issues and how would I go about recharging the house batteries? What in the RV charges the house batteries? I guess I should also mention that the RV sat for several month while getting repaired. The volt meter inside does not give a reading just stays blank. Or do I just need to replace the house batteries?

Yes, replacing batteries is where to start. Then plug into shore power or start generator and VERIFY that voltage at the batteries goes up.Charging from either 120 VAC source will be from either a CONVERTER or, if you have one, an INVERTER/CHARGER. Which do you have?You also need to verify that chassis as well as house batteries are charged from 120 VAC or make alternate arrangements for them to be charged.

The 6v house batteries should be ok once properly charged up again. The engine alternator should charge both engine and house batteries but there is a solenoid between the two that might be defective where one side discharches from the other.When plugged in the rv has a converter/ charger which may be faulty. You will have to get the batteries charged before doing checking anything else.

Wait! ...Are you SURE they are dead? You mention the on board volt meter, and the way you describe all this sounds like you have the house main disconnect Off. Have you looked AT the batteries with a DVM ?Also, that switch is located by the door IIRC. I have a persnickety switch in the same place because of the door being open when at the beach where it simply doesn't work until it's exercised several times. If the batteries really are dead they will never be "OK" after being 100% discharged.

Ava wrote:The 6v house batteries should be ok once properly charged up again. Not likely if they actually read ZERO volts at the battery.Possible but not likely.Two things should have been done:Both charging sources should have been tested the last time the batteries were replaced.....both shore power charging and gen charging.Assuming that it was left at an RV shop for repair, they should have been cautioned that if they let the batteries go stone cold dead you would expect THEM to provide new batteries.BUT.....the most likely possibility is that the shop did it right and turned the battery disconnect switch OFF before you got it back. Find that switch and be sure it is ON. Then buy a multi-meter to have on hand.

Winnebago RV house batteries | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

SCVJeff
Explorer
Dec 03, 2016
Wait! ...
Are you SURE they are dead? You mention the on board volt meter, and the way you describe all this sounds like you have the house main disconnect Off. Have you looked AT the batteries with a DVM ?

Also, that switch is located by the door IIRC. I have a persnickety switch in the same place because of the door being open when at the beach where it simply doesn't work until it's exercised several times.

If the batteries really are dead they will never be "OK" after being 100% discharged.
Ava
Explorer
Dec 03, 2016
The 6v house batteries should be ok once properly charged up again. The engine alternator should charge both engine and house batteries but there is a solenoid between the two that might be defective where one side discharches from the other.
When plugged in the rv has a converter/ charger which may be faulty. You will have to get the batteries charged before doing checking anything else.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 03, 2016
Yes, replacing batteries is where to start. Then plug into shore power or start generator and VERIFY that voltage at the batteries goes up.

Charging from either 120 VAC source will be from either a CONVERTER or, if you have one, an INVERTER/CHARGER. Which do you have?

You also need to verify that chassis as well as house batteries are charged from 120 VAC or make alternate arrangements for them to be charged.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2016
Batteries are toast. Replace.

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Winnebago RV house batteries

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