Forum Discussion

campermama's avatar
campermama
Explorer II
Jan 05, 2014

Would these symptoms......

mean the batteries are bad?

They show charging when:
plugged into shore power
the truck is running or
on solar power

Lights on controller and camper show green, but as soon as I turn on a light or run the water pump the lights go to red, light dims and water pump slows down.

Batteries are interstate group 27, about 3+ yrs old.

Any ideas? Thanks!!
  • either the cells are dry or the ground wire is not making contact. wouldn't hurt to check the positive wire also.
  • You could try putting the battery on a charger overnight, and see if it comes back to a full charge.

    From what you describe it sounds like it could be at the end of it's time, but perhaps it just isn't getting a good strong charge, or it's not being charged long enough.
  • Check negative cable (ground) for a tight clean connection to frame. And that battery cables are clean/tight on battery posts.
    Check each battery cell with a hydrometer. Readings less than 1.210 Specific Gravity put a portable charger on them and then retest. Readings greater than 30 points between cells.....replace battery
    Check battery water levels...top off with distilled water if low
  • campermama wrote:
    Buzzcut1 wrote:
    wet cell or AGM out of curiosity?


    They are not sealed if that is what you mean


    That would be wet cells then, although their are no maint. wet cells.

    AGMs are a whole different breed of battery.
  • Buzzcut1 wrote:
    wet cell or AGM out of curiosity?


    They are not sealed if that is what you mean
  • Well i had the same symptoms in early summer and they ended up being dead batteries. I tried to recover them but ended up just replacing them. Mine were also about 3.5yr old interstate group 29.