What's eating my batteries? (Please help:()

Alright so after two months of being parked at a rv park while my wife completed her first travel nursing assignment we decided to go do some boondocking in one of the many national forests up here in Washington. We did a decent bit of boondocking on the way out here and have made a few mods to make it more comfortable(200w solar panel and propane heater) so we were ready to go after sitting around for two months.

So we get to our spot and I check our batteries just for the hell of it(We can usually go two days without any sun) and there like half way depleted. THat was quite the surprise after two months hooked up plus 3+ hours towing, they should have been FULL. So I think, maybe the converter had stopped working and since it had been cloudy the panels couldn't keep up over maybe two days. However after only a few hours with nothing more than basically a light on, the batteries are now real low. So just used the cutoff switch and turned the 12v completely off. The next day it was still cloudy but after a few hours appeared the panels had made some juice. So I then cut the 12v on, we made some lunch, and then went for a hike. When I get back the batteries are flat although nothing was on. Today I'm back at a campground with hookups and my converter seems to be working 100%.

SO my question is, what is eating my batteries? I thought maybe the converter was bad, maybe something is drawing a heavy phantom load, or some how my batteries are bad(they are only 3 months old). I seem to have already ruled out the first one but I'm not even sure how to test the other two. We've camped before with no battery issues what so ever and the only thing I can think of that we've changed on the 12v is adding a powered TV Antenna but that's off and I can't see that taking that much power anyways. I do have a digital multimeter. So how can I check the other two? Is there something else that I'm not thinking of?

I'm going to be flying home LATE tomorrow and am putting the fifth wheel in storage for two weeks tomorrow afternoon so I'd really like to get this handled. I was counting on the solar panels and batteries to run my propane fridge while we are gone. If I can't figure something out I was thinking of pulling all the fuses but the fridge and the propane leak detector and hoping that it'll hold out. Any advice appreciated on that account too.

Thanks for the help,

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com

29 Replies

buylow12
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015
We got back last night and thankfully the batteries were nice and fully charged. Unfortunately the refrigerator was warm after all that work :(

I traced the problem to the fuse for it. I don't think it could have been more than a few days ago because it wasn't too nasty.

Anyways, we're back on the road :)

Tim Czarkowski
Totaltravelers.com
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
I wish voltage and a number would crumble into dust when describing a battery :(

Two cells, three cells, six cells. :)
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2015
Are you asking if you can replace a pair of group 27 with a pair of GC-2 assuming you have the height.

Only if you want around 30-50 more amp hours and close to double the USABLE amp hours. (in short very good idea)

Here is what you need to know:
MARINE/deep cycle batteries are first and foremost starting batteries, Running them down to 50 percent SOC does major damage.

DEEP CYCLE are desiened to run down to 50%. GC-2's are DEEP CYCLE

WIth Group 27s you can replace just one.. most of the arguments against doing that are ... not supported by observation or fact.

With GC-2's you MUST replace both of the paired batteries (if you have multiple pairs this applies only to the batteries in a pair.. NOT to the next pair)

THERE ARE NO SIX VOLT BATTERIES IN AN RV

I know, the CC-2 is a six volt battery.. But when you hook that jumper up from Battery one to battery 2, Electrical magic happens and the two of them together become a single 12 volt battery (roughly a 4D)

-Battery 1+=Jumper=-Battery 2+ 12 volts

Think of the pair as a single 12 volt battery and watch questios vanish
How do I charge them (you charge it same as you would any other 12 volt battery)
Can I replace just one (Can you replace half a 12 volt battery)

and so on.
westend
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
buylow12 wrote:
They aren't really secured yet but it's going to be in storage for two weeks while we fly home. I'm going to do something when we get back. I'm thinking just a strap over the top maybe? I'm certainly open to suggestions. Anything else I should consider?

I'm so happy I got it done in time :)

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com

There are a bunch of different commercial offerings for securing batteries. Sometimes, expediency rules over engineering for maximum safety. In a case like that, a bungee over the top would at least offer some stability.
Whatever you go with, keep it out of the way of the cell covers. You will want an easy access to check for electrolyte level when in use.

If you don't have one, a battery master disconnect switch can be mighty handy. That's about all I can think of.

Good work on the batteries, they should treat you well.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
For many years Seattle was a hotbed of small independent battery manufacturers that made excellent batteries for commercial marine. Could be you snagged a pair of independent's. If so you are in for a treat with far fewer battery problems. Gob some clear dielectric grease over the terminals and that"ll do it. The series cable you got is probably # 6 SAE which is not very big. Number four AWG welding cable would be plenty big enough.
buylow12
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
No, that's a negative post, but I still agree with you. I was thinking of capping that off or something but my wife works night shift sometimes and taking half the ac to the bedroom is not going to improve her mood :Z . That's apparently how it came from the factory. It seems to have made it twelve years without anything too exciting happening. You would think it could have been at least suspended somehow. Going through the battery compartment at all seems like a poor design to me. Not only is it a potential issue but it just plain in the way and annoying :R

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com
buylow12
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
They aren't really secured yet but it's going to be in storage for two weeks while we fly home. I'm going to do something when we get back. I'm thinking just a strap over the top maybe? I'm certainly open to suggestions. Anything else I should consider?

I'm so happy I got it done in time :)

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com
westend
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
And how are these new batteries secured to the tray?
grizzzman
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
buylow12 wrote:
Well I'm proud to say I've modified my battery compartment to take two 225 amp deep cycle golf cart batteries. I went with a local place called Pacific Power Batteries and took the set he recommended, store branded.

I went and purchased a grinder and some discs from Home Depot never having used one in my life. Of course the first one couldn't take a cutting disc so I had to go back and get a more expensive one. After about an hour of cutting and grinding I had that bad boy out finally. Then it was just a matter of throwing them in and getting them wired up. Thankfully the battery guy gave me a wiring diagram and everything seems to be in order although I think I'll get a heavier cable for connecting the batteries when I get back.

I highly recommended Pacific Power Batteries in Seattle. For most of you this project wouldn't be much but I'm quite proud of it ;) (and I got it done on short notice, lol) Now it's time to fly out!

Thanks,

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com

The Biatch itself......

My Lovely Handy Work......

Please tell me the metal ductwork is NOT close to a positive post? That pic gives me the hebie jiebies :E
buylow12
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Well I'm proud to say I've modified my battery compartment to take two 225 amp deep cycle golf cart batteries. I went with a local place called Pacific Power Batteries and took the set he recommended, store branded.

I went and purchased a grinder and some discs from Home Depot never having used one in my life. Of course the first one couldn't take a cutting disc so I had to go back and get a more expensive one. After about an hour of cutting and grinding I had that bad boy out finally. Then it was just a matter of throwing them in and getting them wired up. Thankfully the battery guy gave me a wiring diagram and everything seems to be in order although I think I'll get a heavier cable for connecting the batteries when I get back.

I highly recommended Pacific Power Batteries in Seattle. For most of you this project wouldn't be much but I'm quite proud of it ;) (and I got it done on short notice, lol) Now it's time to fly out!

Thanks,

Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com

The Biatch itself......

My Lovely Handy Work......