So on my new trailer (2015 Creek Side 20fq)that has all the little red and blue lights on things like the refer, carbon monoxide sensor, entertainment center etc. I go out there tonight and the batteries are dead, and I mean flat. Since I have had the trailer, starting in April the Solar has kept the batteries(two new interstate 6v) up and fat. What I think the issue is that is has been cloudy and rainy. Essentially no sunshine for nearly two weeks. I am thinking all them little lights and the carbon monoxide sensor killed them. Likely that is why the factory puts a disconnect for the batteries.......Thoughts?

Recharge the batteries fully, to 14.8V and then use that disconnect switch.

You said the key words 'cloudy' and 'rainy' that why I don't have full confidence in solar energy. You need a backup with a generator and/or direct plug-in electricity. Don't think plugging to the TV will charge the battery in a short time it will take quite a long time to recharge.

Just be aware that most batteries don't survive going all the way discharged very well. Most of the time they have to be replaced. Charge them back up to full right away and exerise them through a few cycles of 50% to 90% charge states.It is a good idea to place some sort of DC MONITOR that alerts you when the batteries get to their 50% charge state which is around 12.0VDC.I watch my batteries like a hawk here as I can't afford to replace them every time they go flat. My DC VOLTs monitor is manual however. I also check the battery fluids on a somewhat schedule... This is the first sign they are not going to survive for you when the fluid levels start boiling out...My original battery bank was four batteries and I lost one right away in 2008 because I did not have a good smart mode charging system connected. The remaining three batteries have done me well since 2009... I just checked them a couple of days ago as they are still sitting in battery boxes on the trailer tongue completely disconnected. Two are reading 12.4-5VDC and one is reading 12.2-3VDC. This lower one was damaged back in the beginning and has always been the first one to start dropping back. I will wait another week or so and then do a full 100% charge of three disconnected batteries either by running my 2KW generator for several hours (around 12 hours) or running an extension cord out to the parked off-road trailer... Your other comment about the solar panel not keeping up is a problem here as well. I have a small less than 10WATT model sitting in my truck windshield plugged into an always "hot" 12VDC socket. It does not keep with all of the truck parasitic drains for truck electronics. Works great for about a week topping off my start battery when not using my truck and then starts allowing the battery to start a slow discharge. I have to drive the truck a couple of times about every week or so... My 2KW honda generator lives secured in the truck bed which is covered and locked bed cover and is a great plan B to power up a 10AMP smart mode battery charger if I can't get the truck started sometimes. Also very useful for the sweet old lady standing by her car in the Walmart parking lots too... We are usually the last ones leaving a campground setup and almost everytime someone has run down down their truck with all the doors open for a couple of hours loading up for travel back home. I can't count the number of rescues we done here with the 2KW generator haha... We get to visit and drink a cup of coffee while my portable 10 AMP smart mode charger is bringing their battery back up enough to start their truck. Nice to have plan BsRoy Ken

If you don't have a hand held meter, make it a Christmas present to yourself. An RV has two electrical systems and a meter will tell you the state of health of both. The lights are not that accurate.

By "hand held meter" he is referring to a multimeter, aka VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) or DVM (Digital Volt Meter).They are cheap enough that I have about 6 of them scattered around in different places.

Battery went dead | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 27, 2015
Thanks for the Head's Up R.J. :)

LPG burning RICH will set off a CO alarm. A stove burner with flame tips with too much "yellow" will do the same. Older rigs used to come with a Coleman lantern like LPG lantern on the wall. Small campers. For the life of me I cannot recall reading about mass extinction of RV camper owners due to the use of these lanterns. HOWEVER I did read about complaints of humidity increases. It's obvious!

The laws of physics change, as time passes. CO alarms LIE when they do not shreik when a cat heater is in operation. Imagine the payoffs to suppress news of thousands dying from unvented cat heater use. Must rank right up there with using a hibachi in the house when power goes off during a blizzard.

A week ago or so I DID read about a family of five dying when their VENTED heater malfunctioned. No CO detectors. Talk about one uneducated DUMB society! Sheesh!
NinerBikes
Explorer
Dec 27, 2015
dougrainer wrote:
The most COMMON item that causes the OP's problem-----The TV antenna BOOSTER is left on. Out of sight and out of mind. Doug

Yes, this can be problematic, but I turn off the booster first, then unplug the inverter, to turn off the TV. Saves the battery, every time.
dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 27, 2015
The most COMMON item that causes the OP's problem-----The TV antenna BOOSTER is left on. Out of sight and out of mind. Doug
RJsfishin
Explorer
Dec 26, 2015
Quote:
The heater has its own low oxygen shutdown.
----------------------------------------------
Very few Olycat heaters have oxy sensor shutdown. They discontinued them years ago because they didn't like hi altitude.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 26, 2015
Put a CO alarm next to meaning alongside ANY heater heat outlet and another in the bedroom. If tested according to instructions it will be IMPOSSIBLE to get carbon monoxide poisoning. The heater has its own low oxygen shutdown.

FAR. FAR FAR (is that enpugh far's?)
More people die from vented heater malfunction than from cat heater malfunction. Firebox burnout. I will not stay in a rig that does not have a CO alarm in the bedroom.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 26, 2015
I've seen it charge as high as 14.4 volts and when it's charging that high it's usually charging something like 56 amps or more. Never seen 14.8 charging or 16 volts as a full battery though.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Dec 25, 2015
Vintage465 wrote:
smkettner wrote:
If you are relying on solar while in storage it is best for all loads to be disconnected.
How many watts solar do you have? I recommend 100w minimum for the effort.

300w of solar. I will get that dude charged up and switch the disconnect off.

300W of solar on a 20 ft TT? Just wow... I am running a 150W that I run portable and aim / chase the sun with it a few time a day. Of course, I am only running a 150 AH AGM battery also.

I hope you can set your charge controller to 14.8V to get those batteries semi charged up, you may need to do a manual desulphation recharge to a full 16V to get them fully cleaned up.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 25, 2015
smkettner wrote:
If you are relying on solar while in storage it is best for all loads to be disconnected.
How many watts solar do you have? I recommend 100w minimum for the effort.

300w of solar. I will get that dude charged up and switch the disconnect off.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 25, 2015
RJsfishin wrote:
Were you living in this trailer ?
If you were, it seems like dim lites when water pump ran would have given a fair warning a while before going completely dead.
If not, you must install an inexpensive led digital voltmeter that is easily seen......thru a window ?? etc.

We weren't living in the trailer, it was parked in front of the garage waiting for the next outing. I just happened to go out to the trailer on Christmas Eve to get something....don't even remember what now. Went into a very dark trailer. Wasn't til today that I went out and plugged in the trailer and snooped around and found the cargo lite on under the queen bed.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 25, 2015
NinerBikes wrote:
Fan powered furnace is a big battery sucking hog... get an Oly 3 or Oly 6 Catalytic heater, and always crack a vent and a window, and save your batteries.

My wife really is uncomfortable with catalytic heaters. Not sure why, Ive tried to explain the bit about leaving a window cracked, be she is having no part of it. For the better anyway, I don't want a free standing unit and there is not much "wall real estate" for a permanent mounted unit.

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Battery went dead

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