Got a new walmart MAXX24dc a year ago. It was free under warranty, it's the one in the trailer when I bought it.It was only 1 year old. Now the replacement is about a year old and doesn't seem right. It stays plugged in all the time at home, and we don't boondock at all. I do occasionally unplug it and let it run down to about 12.2 volts, then re-plug.Now it seems after weeks of being plugged in, if I unplug it's down to 12.2 volts the next morning, with just normal parasitic drain.I don't have a hygrometer. I have cleaned battery terminals and recharged, no change.This doesn't seem right to me. How about you?Thanks in advance for the advice.

Have you checked the voltage level with it disconnected? Have you checked the fluid levels?

Fluid levels are fine. When plugged in I don't see charging bubbles but voltage jumps right up to 13.6.Just seems it shouldn't be down to 12.2 overnight with everything turned off. It's supposed to have 92 amp hrs.I would expect to get a couple days. Maybe I'm just being overly nervous.I know I have seen "state of charge" charts etc. Just wondering if this is discharging too fast.If it is I may change to duals. I figured, using it the way we do, this battery would be fine.

Here's an older posting for a "Maxx" 24 DC from Walmart. It indicates that the Maxx is only 73 amp hours, meaning the one you have is even lower. I see that you have edited your original posting & you do have a "Maxx"Older RV Net posting

Tag on the battery states 92 amp hr. Actually it says at 1 amp draw 92 hrs.I'm just wondering if this is not holding charge correctly?Good info on the link, thank you.

dockmasterdave wrote:Tag on the battery states 92 amp hr. Actually it says at 1 amp draw 92 hrs.I'm just wondering if this is not holding charge correctly?Good info on the link, thank you.1 amp draw at 92 hrs. is not the same as conventional amp hour rating of 20 amp rate for 92 hrs. This is a scam marketing tool done with an assumption that the average person doesn't know the difference between the rating protocols. Your year old Grp 24 Walmart battery is probably not even 76 AH at present. As the battery is used and abused it becomes sulfated and will not have the same capacity as new. BTW, if you don't have one, a battery disconnect switch will prolong your battery life and is easy to use. Just turn the switch to off when the battery is not being used or charged.

Battery drain | Good Sam Community

mda
Explorer
Nov 13, 2014
Take it back to Walmart for testing. It might have a shorted cell. In any case, they usually will replace it if is still within warranty.
tenbear
Explorer
Nov 12, 2014
Without knowing how much current is being drawn from the battery when it is not being charged, it is hard to say if this is normal or not. If you have not disconnected the battery there is probably some current being drawn.
wintersun
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2014
Temperature is another factor if the battery is "outside". While being charged it is generating its own heat to a degree, but take it off the charger and it will cool down and the voltage may drop.

All it takes is one failing cell in a battery to cause problems. One of the drawbacks to using two 6 volt batteries in an RV instead of two 12 volt ones.
westend
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
All lead acid batteries are best treated by a charge ASAP after discharge. Leaving a FLA battery in a partly discharged state will shorten it's life and remove capacity.
dockmasterdave
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
My thinking was that this battery was more similar to a car battery than a true deep cycle.
If that is true wouldn't it be made to be fully charged all the time, rather that cycled?
Thanks for the input. I will repeat the test with the battery disconnected.
I will also pick up a hydrometer. Sorry about the original mis spelling.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
dockmasterdave wrote:
Do these things normally have a 1 year life span when treated well?
Or is this normal after 1 year, and it's not bad enough to worry about YET?

I count on a minimum of seven years performance from batteries.

We have no idea what may be drawing power from your battery.

Repeat your test with the battery disconnected.

BTW, a hygrometer would be of no use to you, a hydrometer is used to test battery specific gravity.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2014
Maybe keeping a constant charge going to it without drain is an issue. I have a full disconnect switch on mine and it has been in storage for two months, and I have run the slides out three or four times, just on the battery. It is down just a bit, next time will likely need to connect to the truck for a charge.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
Dave,
Battery manufactures (more accurately the sales group) hates the 20hr ampere rating because it is a hard and fast specification that allows little wiggle room.
But, a day of none use should not have brought the battery to 12.2.
If you have little better, go cheap. Solder two wires with alligator clips to a small light bulb. Disconnect one of the battery leads and put your new test light there.
If it shows nothing, you may have a bad battery there....
If it shows anything at all, you have a drain. Start turning off breakers or pulling fuses until it goes out.

Matt
dockmasterdave
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
Do these things normally have a 1 year life span when treated well?
Or is this normal after 1 year, and it's not bad enough to worry about YET?
westend
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
dockmasterdave wrote:
Tag on the battery states 92 amp hr. Actually it says at 1 amp draw 92 hrs.
I'm just wondering if this is not holding charge correctly?
Good info on the link, thank you.
1 amp draw at 92 hrs. is not the same as conventional amp hour rating of 20 amp rate for 92 hrs. This is a scam marketing tool done with an assumption that the average person doesn't know the difference between the rating protocols.

Your year old Grp 24 Walmart battery is probably not even 76 AH at present. As the battery is used and abused it becomes sulfated and will not have the same capacity as new. BTW, if you don't have one, a battery disconnect switch will prolong your battery life and is easy to use. Just turn the switch to off when the battery is not being used or charged.

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