I once left my disconnect switch on in my TT when I was storing it, and when I came back a few weeks later, the batteries were down to a couple of lights on the control panel. I disconnected and we pulled to a full hookup campground in a couple of days.After the hour and a half drive, the batteries were reading full.My question is; did that do any permanent harm to my batteries? I haven't been dry camping since, but I'm planning such a trip. Could my duration or capacity in any way have been lessened?

That drive was a mere "surface charge", You need to remove the batteries and but them on a charger at homeFor at least a week, maybe more, Yes they are damaged but may recover some capacity

MrWizard wrote:That drive was a mere "surface charge", You need to remove the batteries and but them on a charger at homeFor at least a week, maybe more, Yes they are damaged but may recover some capacityAs soon as we got to the campground, we hooked up to 30 amps, and I'm sure I was charging those batteries for the ten days we stayed there with whatever standard converter comes with my Mini Lite TT.Did that count?

Drag out your hydrometer and measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte.That is the only way to really know the SOC of your batteries.

Have the batteries load tested, free at most auto stores. If they are deep cycle batteries then find a good battery shop.Yes you have reduced capacity but it may be very minor.

2 lights on the control panel is a very generic description of battery charge. You/we have no way of knowing the state of charge of those batteries at that point. How many lights are there? 3,4,5? Those are just idiot lights to begin with. Do you believe your tank level lights? Have the batteries tested and take it from there. There is no-one here that can tell you for sure if your batteries have been harmed.

Did this harm my batteries? | Good Sam Community

46 Replies

Rmack1
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
camperpaul wrote:
Drag out your hydrometer and measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte.

That is the only way to really know the SOC of your batteries.

Now, where did I put that darn hydrometer? Maybe the same place I put my flux capacitor. HONEY!!!!.....
pkunk
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
2 lights on the control panel is a very generic description of battery charge. You/we have no way of knowing the state of charge of those batteries at that point. How many lights are there? 3,4,5? Those are just idiot lights to begin with. Do you believe your tank level lights? Have the batteries tested and take it from there. There is no-one here that can tell you for sure if your batteries have been harmed.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2014
Have the batteries load tested, free at most auto stores. If they are deep cycle batteries then find a good battery shop.

Yes you have reduced capacity but it may be very minor.
camperpaul
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
Drag out your hydrometer and measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte.

That is the only way to really know the SOC of your batteries.
Rmack1
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
MrWizard wrote:
That drive was a mere "surface charge",
You need to remove the batteries and but them on a charger at home
For at least a week, maybe more,
Yes they are damaged but may recover some capacity

As soon as we got to the campground, we hooked up to 30 amps, and I'm sure I was charging those batteries for the ten days we stayed there with whatever standard converter comes with my Mini Lite TT.

Did that count?
MrWizard
Moderator
Jan 11, 2014
That drive was a mere "surface charge",
You need to remove the batteries and but them on a charger at home
For at least a week, maybe more,
Yes they are damaged but may recover some capacity

Forum Discussion

Did this harm my batteries?

46 Replies

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