Hello, I am new to this forum. I have a problem that I cannot figure out and need some advice. I have a 2007 Springdale rv 30'TT. Sort of a long story but I want to give the whole story.After I winterized it last November I pulled out the battery and stored it in the basement on some wood shelves. This spring I re-installed the battery and plugged the rv into 110 shore power and left it be for a week. After a week I was doing some cleaning and noticed a acid smell coming form the battery and it was hot. I assumed my battery was shot and bought a new one. I installed the new one and did more cleaning then left it unplugged form shore for another week. When I went back I realized I left the bathroom light on that whole time. I plugged the rv in figuring the battery needed charged even though it read 12v on my multimeter. After plugging it in I can hear the converter fan kick on and off in about 30 second intervals when it does this I also hear a click at the same time as the on and off cycle at the battery area. Here's where my questions come:1. Is this normal for the converter to cycle and click at the battery area, I haven't noticed this before?2. Is a 12v reading accurate to tell the charge of a battery?I am nervous about keeping it plugged in so I don't fry a new battery.Any help would be great!Dan Dueker

djbadcat wrote:Hello, I am new to this forum. I have a problem that I cannot figure out and need some advice. I have a 2007 Springdale rv 30'TT. Sort of a long story but I want to give the whole story.After I winterized it last November I pulled out the battery and stored it in the basement on some wood shelves. This spring I re-installed the battery and plugged the rv into 110 shore power and left it be for a week. After a week I was doing some cleaning and noticed a acid smell coming form the battery and it was hot. I assumed my battery was shot and bought a new one. I installed the new one and did more cleaning then left it unplugged form shore for another week. When I went back I realized I left the bathroom light on that whole time. I plugged the rv in figuring the battery needed charged even though it read 12v on my multimeter. After plugging it in I can hear the converter fan kick on and off in about 30 second intervals when it does this I also hear a click at the same time as the on and off cycle at the battery area. Here's where my questions come:1. Is this normal for the converter to cycle and click at the battery area, I haven't noticed this before?2. Is a 12v reading accurate to tell the charge of a battery?I am nervous about keeping it plugged in so I don't fry a new battery.Any help would be great!Dan Dueker If you left a light on for a week then the battery is very low. Its likely the clicking is a self reseting circuit breaker being overwhelmed by the high amp output of the converter. It common for the manufacturer to undersize thiese circuit breakers. I would look into this. This is causing the converter to cycle. Do you have a battery charger?

You need to determine the output of your converter to see if it will fry the battery. Disconnect the battery (take both battery cables off of the battery), plug the TT in, read the output voltage of the converter at the battery cables. Should be something like 13.5 to 14 volts. If its to high it will fry the battery (not sure how high it can be without damaging the battery). If it's too high you have to replace the converter.

Yes I do have a trickle charger. That crossed my mind as well. I checked the battery terminals with the multimeter, as it was cycling on and off was 12v off and 14v on. As for the circuit breaker, wouldn't it trip once then I would have to manually reset it? Thanks again for the info.Dan

djbadcat wrote:Yes I do have a trickle charger. That crossed my mind as well. I checked the battery terminals with the multimeter, as it was cycling on and off was 12v off and 14v on. As for the circuit breaker, wouldn't it trip once then I would have to manually reset it? Thanks again for the info.Dan The circuit breaker is self reseting. 14 volts means that the converter is in bulk mode (due to the low battery) Put your trickle charger on it for several days then plug it in. If no noises. I would then investigate the circuit breaker. Before you charge it,try to find the circuit breaker using the clicking noise. Its VERY likey that it needs to be replaced. Its a small rectangular metal box with two wires. It is likely that it is a WFCO 55 amp converter and the breaker is 30 amp. If this is the case find at least a 50 amp (60 would be better) breaker and replace it.

Senor Dan,Unless your RV jumps from power pedestal to power pedestal you need to plan on installing a real battery monitoring panel.meter. knowing for a fact voltage and amperage numbers, is crucial.To be able to stroll up to a wall mounted panel, give it a glance and say "Ah Hah!" Is worth it's weight in gold. There are lots of experienced purchasers, installers, and users on this forum.

Battery Issue | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

wing_zealot
Explorer
May 05, 2015
You need to determine the output of your converter to see if it will fry the battery. Disconnect the battery (take both battery cables off of the battery), plug the TT in, read the output voltage of the converter at the battery cables. Should be something like 13.5 to 14 volts. If its to high it will fry the battery (not sure how high it can be without damaging the battery). If it's too high you have to replace the converter.
grizzzman
Explorer
May 05, 2015
djbadcat wrote:
Hello,
I am new to this forum. I have a problem that I cannot figure out and need some advice. I have a 2007 Springdale rv 30'TT. Sort of a long story but I want to give the whole story.

After I winterized it last November I pulled out the battery and stored it in the basement on some wood shelves. This spring I re-installed the battery and plugged the rv into 110 shore power and left it be for a week. After a week I was doing some cleaning and noticed a acid smell coming form the battery and it was hot. I assumed my battery was shot and bought a new one. I installed the new one and did more cleaning then left it unplugged form shore for another week.

When I went back I realized I left the bathroom light on that whole time. I plugged the rv in figuring the battery needed charged even though it read 12v on my multimeter. After plugging it in I can hear the converter fan kick on and off in about 30 second intervals when it does this I also hear a click at the same time as the on and off cycle at the battery area. Here's where my questions come:

1. Is this normal for the converter to cycle and click at the battery area, I haven't noticed this before?

2. Is a 12v reading accurate to tell the charge of a battery?

I am nervous about keeping it plugged in so I don't fry a new battery.

Any help would be great!
Dan Dueker

If you left a light on for a week then the battery is very low. Its likely the clicking is a self reseting circuit breaker being overwhelmed by the high amp output of the converter. It common for the manufacturer to undersize thiese circuit breakers. I would look into this. This is causing the converter to cycle. Do you have a battery charger?

Forum Discussion

Battery Issue

12 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

AG battery switchover

Battery Issue?

Battery issues

Electrical/Battery issue.

12 Volt Power Issue