I went out to the storage area to try to install a TV behind the doors in the bedroom of our Bullet 247BHSWE. Sadly that didn't work out (TV is about .3 inches too thick at 1.9 inches with a .6 inch mount). I also found out that the batteries were completely dead.Possibly pertinent details: Purchased last year. It's a 2017. The batteries were included and LOOK relatively new. They are deep cycle batteries, but I forget the details.We took the trailer out at Thanksgiving after it sitting for about a month. Afterwards, I put the batteries on two battery tenders.At one point I filled the battery with distilled water. I may have overfilled, but not to the point it ever overflowed during charging.We took the trailer out again at the beginning of April with no issues.Afterward we returned it to storage. I checked to make sure we turned off the fridge and all lights. I'm not aware of anything left on aside from a plugged in surge protector (might have a light) and I think the radio might draw some power.I went back to the trailer about a week or two later and the meter showed 2/3 full battery. I was surprised, but I just figured the meter was inaccurate.Any suggestions how to find out what happened?

oyarsa wrote:I went out to the storage area to try to install a TV behind the doors in the bedroom of our Bullet 247BHSWE. Sadly that didn't work out (TV is about .3 inches too thick at 1.9 inches with a .6 inch mount). I also found out that the batteries were completely dead.Possibly pertinent details: Purchased last year. It's a 2017. The batteries were included and LOOK relatively new. They are deep cycle batteries, but I forget the details.We took the trailer out at Thanksgiving after it sitting for about a month. Afterwards, I put the batteries on two battery tenders.At one point I filled the battery with distilled water. I may have overfilled, but not to the point it ever overflowed during charging.We took the trailer out again at the beginning of April with no issues.Afterward we returned it to storage. I checked to make sure we turned off the fridge and all lights. I'm not aware of anything left on aside from a plugged in surge protector (might have a light) and I think the radio might draw some power.I went back to the trailer about a week or two later and the meter showed 2/3 full battery. I was surprised, but I just figured the meter was inaccurate.Any suggestions how to find out what happened?You need to disconnect the battery whenever the trailer is not connected to power. Power can be described as a 120 volt outlet, your running tow vehicle or a battery charger. You can install a switch or remove a battery cable.

Parasitic drains will completely drain a RV battery in a couple of weeks. Like the above poster suggested either discount the battery or install a battery cutoff when not in use or not plugged in.Not just the radio, you have refrigerator circuit board, gas detector and possible other draws to discharge the battery.

I knew there would be parasitic drains, but really did not expect it to drain so quickly! So a month is not an usual amount of time to go dry?I have the batteries on a battery tender now. Will those be sufficient to charge the batteries, or should I get a battery charger?

If you have power plug the trailer in and it will charge the batteries. If your batteries are charged a battery maintainer will keep them that way but will take several days to recharge a discharged battery. A single new battery will discharge in about two weeks +/- depending on capacity and drains.I don't understand why all trailers don't have a battery disconnect switch, some do but most don't.

A 1.25 amp Battery Tender will take days to charge, the smaller one will take almost forever. A larger 3 or 4 stage quality charger would be a good thing. The converter in the trailer will do a good job as well if you can plug in for a day or two.

Dead batteries | Good Sam Community

Lynnmor
Explorer
May 04, 2018
oyarsa wrote:
I went out to the storage area to try to install a TV behind the doors in the bedroom of our Bullet 247BHSWE. Sadly that didn't work out (TV is about .3 inches too thick at 1.9 inches with a .6 inch mount). I also found out that the batteries were completely dead.

Possibly pertinent details: Purchased last year. It's a 2017. The batteries were included and LOOK relatively new. They are deep cycle batteries, but I forget the details.

We took the trailer out at Thanksgiving after it sitting for about a month. Afterwards, I put the batteries on two battery tenders.

At one point I filled the battery with distilled water. I may have overfilled, but not to the point it ever overflowed during charging.

We took the trailer out again at the beginning of April with no issues.

Afterward we returned it to storage. I checked to make sure we turned off the fridge and all lights. I'm not aware of anything left on aside from a plugged in surge protector (might have a light) and I think the radio might draw some power.

I went back to the trailer about a week or two later and the meter showed 2/3 full battery. I was surprised, but I just figured the meter was inaccurate.

Any suggestions how to find out what happened?

You need to disconnect the battery whenever the trailer is not connected to power. Power can be described as a 120 volt outlet, your running tow vehicle or a battery charger. You can install a switch or remove a battery cable.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 04, 2018
Parasitic drains will completely drain a RV battery in a couple of weeks. Like the above poster suggested either discount the battery or install a battery cutoff when not in use or not plugged in.

Not just the radio, you have refrigerator circuit board, gas detector and possible other draws to discharge the battery.
oyarsa
Explorer
May 04, 2018
I knew there would be parasitic drains, but really did not expect it to drain so quickly! So a month is not an usual amount of time to go dry?

I have the batteries on a battery tender now. Will those be sufficient to charge the batteries, or should I get a battery charger?
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 04, 2018
If you have power plug the trailer in and it will charge the batteries. If your batteries are charged a battery maintainer will keep them that way but will take several days to recharge a discharged battery.

A single new battery will discharge in about two weeks +/- depending on capacity and drains.

I don't understand why all trailers don't have a battery disconnect switch, some do but most don't.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 04, 2018
A 1.25 amp Battery Tender will take days to charge, the smaller one will take almost forever. A larger 3 or 4 stage quality charger would be a good thing. The converter in the trailer will do a good job as well if you can plug in for a day or two.
oyarsa
Explorer
May 05, 2018
Good to know. Hopefully putting the batteries on the tender will charge it enough to use the tongue jack. I assume there's still a way to use the jack manually, though...
jerseyjim
Explorer
May 05, 2018
When new, my RV batteies went "dead" in 2-3 weeks. (Storage). Found the 2 sensors (Smoke and Carbon monoxide) were the culprits. Ran one toggle switch to both. Turned them off when in storage, on at a cg. Problem solved.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 05, 2018
oyarsa wrote:
Good to know. Hopefully putting the batteries on the tender will charge it enough to use the tongue jack. I assume there's still a way to use the jack manually, though...
If the trailer is plugged into the truck it will power the electric jack if the battery is low. None of my electric jacks have a manual override although some do have a hand crank.
garyemunson
Explorer II
May 05, 2018
Battery tenders are not designed to 'charge' batteries. Their purpose is to zero out the battery's normal self-discharging and any minor parasitic draws. Even that can overwhelm the BT if too many things are drawing current.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 05, 2018
garyemunson wrote:
Battery tenders are not designed to 'charge' batteries. Their purpose is to zero out the battery's normal self-discharging and any minor parasitic draws. Even that can overwhelm the BT if too many things are drawing current.

You need to differentiate between a trickle charger, often called a battery tender and a battery charger with the brand name Battery Tender.

From the Battery Tender website:

The Battery Tender® Plus is a 1.25 amp battery charger designed to fully charge a battery and maintain it at proper storage voltage without the damaging effects caused by trickle chargers. Included is a quick connect ring terminal harness for hard to reach areas and alligator clips for an alternate connection.

Temperature compensated to ensure optimum charge voltage according to ambient temperature.
Automatically switches from full charge to float charging mode.
Reverse Polarity Protection to ensure user safety. Red & Green Lights Alternately Flash in this condition.
Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float Mode).
Perfect for all lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell).

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