Hi EveryoneLast week in Oregon, our 5'ver batteries started to fail. They were almost 5 years old (2008) and were only 450 CCA each. Fortunately our Honda generator kept us camping. The voltage was dropping to almost 10 volts overnight with nothing but the normal drain from things like the gas and fire detectors.What are the ramifications as the voltage drops? What all quits? I know the fridge quits at some point as well as the furnace. Ours refused to start at 8.2 volts. I believe there is an automatic gas shutoff valve that cuts in at some point. What exactly is that point? What happens if the voltage drops real low while towing?Regards and Thanks for your time.Bill

If the voltage drops off that fast, then the batteries are shot. Other than the inconvenience of having to run the generator to get your lights brighter, etc. you have a potential safety issue. If the batteries do not have sufficent voltage when you're going down the road, your trailer brakes will not stop the coach if you had an emergency and the trailer disconnected from the TV.

The on-board systems should be fine while driving down the road since your Chevy should be charging the trailer battery while it's running. If it's not then you need to install the fuse and jumper wire indicated in your manual.

Why test it when you can just get a new battery?Otherwise the power from the tow vehicle should keep stuff running.10.5 volts is officially dead for a battery so anything less is subject to cut-off.

the sail valve for the furnace will not open below 10.5 due to lack of air to the burner caused by the slow fan. I learned this the hard way in cold weather. The exact voltage ? 10.5 is what I was told by a tech @ the rv dealer.

DC VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTSThe operational range of the unit is a minimum of 9.6V DC to a maximum of 22V DC, the unit will automatically shut down until voltage has decreased to 18V DC. The refrigerator requires at least 9.6V DC for proper operation; however the panel lights will continue to illuminate until voltage has dropped to 4V DC or below.AC VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTSProper Operating Range is 100 to 132 Volts. If voltage drops below 100 volts, cooling efficiency will decrease with voltage decrease. The refrigerator will not switch to another mode of operation until all AC power is lost.Landing gear motors need the proper DC voltage too - as voltage goes down the current draw goes up to provide the same power to the motor - too low of a voltage and you could damage the motor - but will probably blow fuses first.

Weak Battery Happenings | Good Sam Community

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2013
the sail valve for the furnace will not open below 10.5 due to lack of air to the burner caused by the slow fan. I learned this the hard way in cold weather. The exact voltage ? 10.5 is what I was told by a tech @ the rv dealer.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 11, 2013
Why test it when you can just get a new battery?
Otherwise the power from the tow vehicle should keep stuff running.
10.5 volts is officially dead for a battery so anything less is subject to cut-off.
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 11, 2013
The on-board systems should be fine while driving down the road since your Chevy should be charging the trailer battery while it's running. If it's not then you need to install the fuse and jumper wire indicated in your manual.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2013
If the voltage drops off that fast, then the batteries are shot. Other than the inconvenience of having to run the generator to get your lights brighter, etc. you have a potential safety issue. If the batteries do not have sufficent voltage when you're going down the road, your trailer brakes will not stop the coach if you had an emergency and the trailer disconnected from the TV.

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