Due to medical problems we can't use RV as much as possible. Lately my battery under the hood (2003 Ford F-350) keeps getting low. I'm going to buy a battery load tester later in week. Battery is 9 years old, so probably battery. But I want to make sure. In the mean time...I don't see anything on or being used in the house part. The house battery doesn't go down, only the starting battery. I'm thinking propane alarm, but not sure as wires get lost behind wall. How do I test with volt meter if any elec is going from starting battery to anything in house part of class C?

Disconnect the positive battery terminal. Set your meter to current, and then hook the negative lead to the battery cable and the positive lead to the battery post. This is how you measure current flow.Jim

9 years old?Time for a new battery

Radio memory, engine cup, transmission electronicsSome things are always connectedLong storage non use time with old batteryReplace battery and install a battery tender, or a small solar maintainer

A good quality AGM battery can endure short cycling a lot better than any flooded conventional battery. A rational battery tester costs more than a new battery. It used to be Interstate Battery DISTRIBUTORS employed adjustable carbon pile battery load testers. Wal-Mart grade Battery Dept cheese grater load testers are worse than useless.

Hi Path1,I forget if you have solar. If so, add a Trik-L-Start or an Amp-L-Start.I have the TLS and love it.

Electric problem and question | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

westend
Explorer
Apr 20, 2017
The original Motorcraft battery in my 2003 F-250 was in service for 10 yrs, 1 mo. I babied it along for the last year of it's life. After I replaced the battery, I also had to replace the alternator. Learned a lesson there.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2017
9 Years is when my battery decided it needed to retire.. So I'd guess that's what's happped here.. I dropped (Well lifted in my case) a new DEKA battery onto the tray and ... Well.. I expect I have about 6 more years before I have to do it again (It has been actually 4 years since I replaced it)

House batteries went a few months later.
tenbear
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
You might also want to get a clamp-on ammeter to measure the current being drawn by the battery. If you do, make sure it can measure both AC and DC.
path1
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
Op here... Thanks for replies. I'll get new battery.

Thanks for replies.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 19, 2017
Do you really need to baby this thing along until it dies on the road?
With nine years of service get a new chassis battery at first sign of weakness(today).
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2017
Test it all you want, in fact a good idea, but buy a new battery....9 years!
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2017
If you don't want to replace a 9yo battery, make sure you carry jumper cables and have good ERS.
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2017
A nine year old car or truck starting battery owes you absolutely nothing. I don't think there's any need to test it as it has simply worn out with age and use. Replace it and hope the new one lasts equally as long. (By way of comparison, it would appear that the original battery lasted about half as long prior to being replaced with the current one.)
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 19, 2017
Hi Path1,

I forget if you have solar. If so, add a Trik-L-Start or an Amp-L-Start.

I have the TLS and love it.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
A good quality AGM battery can endure short cycling a lot better than any flooded conventional battery. A rational battery tester costs more than a new battery. It used to be Interstate Battery DISTRIBUTORS employed adjustable carbon pile battery load testers. Wal-Mart grade Battery Dept cheese grater load testers are worse than useless.

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