I bought a new battery for my 2013 Forest River PUP last fall and stored it in the garage, giving it a full charge every month and disconnecting the charger (NOCO G1100) between charge cycles.When I went to use the trailer this spring, I found that the A/C unit and the lift mechanism had died over the winter, had them both replaced, to the tune of $2K.I got the rig home from the shop this week, took the battery into the garage and hooked up the charger. I was surprised to see the charger initially indicate only a 25% charge, and left it connected overnight. Today, it's still showing only 25% charge, and I'm concerned that I've had another battery die on me. Water levels look fine.I assumed that the one hour drive home from the repair shop would top off the battery charge, is that reasonable? It sat at the repair shop for two months. Tomorrow, I'm leaving town for a couple of weeks, but will leave the charger connected for another 24 hours and see if things improve.I'm in sunny Texas, FWIW.Any thoughts from battery experts will be appreciated!

I would verify that the constant 12v power in your tow vehicles 7way is good (1 o'clock position) may have a blown fuse

I assume your charger bases its state of charge percentage on voltage. If that is the case your resting voltage is around 11.7v, and that's after your tow vehicle did some charging on the way home. No bueno.If the battery was charged when you took it in, and being only a year or so old I would guess that someone at the shop left something on in the trailer and killed the battery.

take it to an auto zone, they will charge and test it.How long would a 1A charger take to fully charge it?

Often the long wires from the alternator to the battery are inadequate to charge a battery due to the voltage drop.It's very common for batteries to become discharged at a dealer and that can be a battery killer.Have the battery load tested at any auto store for free. Also a 25 percent charge suggests idiot lights, is that correct? They are only good for the salesman to sell you the rig. Start researching your charger, wiring and battery. Low quality chargers often don't adequately/correctly charge batteries. Above all else buy a voltmeter with which you'll know a lot more about your battery charge and condition. $20 tops and the free HF ones are acceptable. A good hydrometer is the best device for checking a battery and more involved than a voltmeter.

Several members have a noco chargerIIRC it won't charge a really low battery, You need to use a different charger, to bring it up to where the noco will do it's maintainance thing

12V battery issues | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2017
Often the long wires from the alternator to the battery are inadequate to charge a battery due to the voltage drop.

It's very common for batteries to become discharged at a dealer and that can be a battery killer.

Have the battery load tested at any auto store for free.

Also a 25 percent charge suggests idiot lights, is that correct? They are only good for the salesman to sell you the rig. Start researching your charger, wiring and battery. Low quality chargers often don't adequately/correctly charge batteries.

Above all else buy a voltmeter with which you'll know a lot more about your battery charge and condition. $20 tops and the free HF ones are acceptable. A good hydrometer is the best device for checking a battery and more involved than a voltmeter.
red31
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
take it to an auto zone, they will charge and test it.

How long would a 1A charger take to fully charge it?
Flyfasteddie
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
I assume your charger bases its state of charge percentage on voltage. If that is the case your resting voltage is around 11.7v, and that's after your tow vehicle did some charging on the way home. No bueno.

If the battery was charged when you took it in, and being only a year or so old I would guess that someone at the shop left something on in the trailer and killed the battery.
Flattop1
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
I would verify that the constant 12v power in your tow vehicles 7way is good (1 o'clock position) may have a blown fuse

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