Forum Discussion

buffaloKev's avatar
buffaloKev
Explorer
Aug 08, 2017

Battery Issue

Had a battery problem this weekend. After about a 4 hour trip and arriving to campground close to 10pm, when I plugged in the shore power to my Coachmen Freedom Express, got nothing. Changed sites thinking it may be the shore power, but still nothing. Started checking fuses, made a trip to walmart few miles away to see if they had new power cord in stock, basically trying anything. At this point its midnight, wife and kids are asleep in truck and I noticed a bad smell and smoke coming from 12v battery. After a quick google, didn't take long to find out the battery was done. I unhooked the battery, plugged in shore power and everything was good. Couple of things, (for my ongoing learning about these beautiful creatures) why would the shore power not work because of the bad 12v battery? What likely caused the problem with the battery? I bought the TT in March new, maybe just a bad battery? Thanks for any input
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Aug 09, 2017
    The only way you are going to "smoke" a flooded lead acid battery is to run it dry and try to charge it or charge it at a very high rate.

    When you install your new battery, check the charging voltage from your converter/charger.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 08, 2017
    Sounds like at least part of your problem is a shorted battery. When they do that they're junk and cant be charged or even jumped.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2017
    "when I plugged in the shore power to my Coachmen Freedom Express, got nothing. Changed sites..."

    So I gather you don't check anything...anythng before plugging in? No wonder you have issues.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2017
    Or get AGM batteries. Zero maintenance. Twice the cost.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2017
    buffaloKev wrote:
    Yeah I replaced the battery the next morning and worked well over the next 2 days. Never had a battery dry out on me, especially after 4 months of little use. Baseball and softball kept us grounded at home this spring and some of the summer. Thanks for the replies
    This assumes it was full of electrolyte when installed on your trailer. If you don't pull the caps, you won't know.

    Here's what I'd suggest: Buy an inexpensive hand held meter and an inexpensive hydrometer. Learn how to use them. There are many posts about battery maintenance on this Forum. You can also use these two sites for learning: 12 Volt side of life----Battery University . The price of the two measuring tools will be less than a new shore cord or less than the loss of another battery due to low maintenance.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2017
    I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the converter/charger isn't working properly, especially if a WFCO and you may want to keep an eye on it with a voltmeter.

    The first battery in our current TT lasted only a few months into the first season. Replaced it with the identical brand/type. Then that one died in the 2nd season of use plus the converter died at the same time (smelled of burning plastic + breaker tripped). Upgraded to an AGM and a Progressive Dynamics (retrofit) converter/charger. I have to think the converter was killing the batteries all along. From the very beginning, the battery never seemed to hold a charge properly and just put it down to phantom loads draining it (always made sure cells were topped up too).
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2017
    The first battery in our current TT lasted less than one season. Replaced it with the identical brand/type. Then that one died in the 2nd season of use plus the converter died at the same time (smelled of burning plastic + breaker tripped). Upgraded to an AGM and a Progressive Dynamics (retrofit) converter/charger. I have to think the converter was killing the batteries all along. From the very beginning, the battery never seemed to hold a charge properly (always made sure cells were topped up too).

    I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the converter/charger isn't working properly, especially if a WFCO.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2017
    Too bad things like that have to happen away from home.

    Likely a cell or two shorted inside the battery, dragging down the charging voltage too.

    Being only 5 months old, it should have been covered under warranty......unless it really was run dry.
  • buffaloKev's avatar
    buffaloKev
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2017
    Yeah I replaced the battery the next morning and worked well over the next 2 days. Never had a battery dry out on me, especially after 4 months of little use. Baseball and softball kept us grounded at home this spring and some of the summer. Thanks for the replies
  • w8lpn's avatar
    w8lpn
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2017
    Sounds like the charging system was working a little overtime to compensate for dead battery. If unhooking the battery worked then I would put money on that that was the issue. Time for a new battery.

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