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nomad2013's avatar
nomad2013
Explorer
Aug 26, 2018

auxiliary battery problem

Took RV out of storage where it had been only three weeks since going out on short outing. Came to state RV park and plugged into shore power. Aux battery indicator showed 0,added distilled water to one of the 12 volt batteries, indicator only went to half. Have been on shore power for two days, still at half. On last trip had generator repaired with new fuel pump. No problem then, but it won't start now. House batteries are only two years old.

8 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 26, 2018
    YOu said you had to add water to the cells in ONE of the batteries. Very good chance the batteries need replacement. Letting fluid (It ain't water folks) get below the top of the plates is NOT GOOD for the batteries.. O perhasps 1/16" is ok but if you can't see the fluid (it is dilute sulfuric acid) you are in trouble.

    Distilled water is what you add however. ONLY DISTILLED. never tap.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2018
    nomad2013 wrote:
    On last trip had generator repaired with new fuel pump. No problem then, but it won't start now.

    Remove the air cleaner and out about 1 teaspoon of gasoline or spray carb cleaner down the throat of the carb and try to start it. If it starts and stalls, you have dirt inside the carb, which might have been your original problem.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2018
    So when you dropped the rig a battery needed water and three weeks later you filled it? Were all loads shut off? That battery is toast. A solar system would have kept it charged.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2018
    20 demerits for being on here for 5 years and posting in this forum.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2018
    Aux battery? What kind of RV do you have? Normally there are chassis batteries and coach (house) batteries.

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