Forum Discussion

Explorer

Jun 14, 2013

TRAVEL TRAILER BATTERY ISSUES

On our last trip after setting up our low battery indicator started beeping at us within a few hours of setting up. We only dry camp and can normally go about 3 days without the battery needing a recharge via the genny. After coming home i charged the battery by pluggin the travel trailer cord into an extension cord with adapter from the house and left in plugged into the shore power for a week. I then unplugged it and turned on the lights and radio just to see how quick the battery would drain. The battery went from reading full to empty in 1 hour, and the lights were extremely dim. My question is does this sound like just a bad battery not holding a charge, or is there other issues ? The battery is a single 12v Interstate RV battery thats only 2 years old. I am hoping to get some advice, i am mechanically inclined but lack knowledge of the charging system in travel trailers etc. Thanks in advance.

13 Replies

mbopp
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
Do you have a voltmeter? What's the battery voltage under charge? What's the voltage after it sits for 3 days disconnected?
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
You will find some good battery info ere: hhttp://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

Sounds like a battery dying.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
If you can check the fluid level make sure all cells are topped off.

Batteries today can go bad quickly. The plates are very thin and can break from road vibration or a bad bump. I always feel lucky when I can get more than 3 years out of a battery. Our roads have gotten really bad in California. The other day the wife was following and I hit a bad bump on I-15 she said all four tires came off of the ground on our 5th wheel. That's 15000lbs flying for a 1/2 second...almost as good as the Spruce Goose.

If the fluid is not low or it's a maintenance free, I would have an interstate dealer test it and give an adjustment on a new one.