battaries not holding up

[bjones3211]

I went dry camping for the first time in my new to me 2014 class c and to my surprise the batteries did not make it thru the night the next night the only thing I left on was 1 led light and the refrig. when I got up same thing batteries volts around 5.5 is this normal?

[Bordercollie]

Unless your old batteries test bad under load, I'd suspect a short or some item drawing too much current during the night. Appliance controls and alarms draw some 12 volt dc current from house batteries

If you disconnect the positive or negative cable on the house battery and connect an ammeter to the cable and battery post you may see how many amps are still being drawn with everything apparently shut off. If you are not able to test, have it tested by a trusted RV repair.

Was there a light left on in your storage compartment?
Did you have the furnace or furnace blower or ceiling fan running overnight?

[jarata1]

I hope 2 of them would get you more then one night

[CA_Traveler]

bjones3211 wrote:
thanks for all the feed back yes the refrig was running on LP. guess I need to have the batteries tested the bad side is I don't dry camp much hate to put out a lot of money just to have them go bad again.

I have 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries

If you mean marine deep cycle batteries then they are just slightly better than starting batteries and are not deep cycle batteries. But they should be OK for a night.

How did you recharge for the second night?

[klutchdust]

Switched my 12 volt car batteries for deep cycle Trojans, huge difference. I had the same issues as poster, batteries were weak.

[2oldman]

bjones3211 wrote:
guess I need to have the batteries tested the bad side is I don't dry camp much hate to put out a lot of money just to have them go bad again.

You don't have to bother testing them if they won't hold a charge. A $12 voltmeter will tell you that.

What do you mean 'have them go bad again?'. They should hold up at least 4-8 years with proper maintenance.

[bjones3211]

thanks for all the feed back yes the refrig was running on LP. guess I need to have the batteries tested the bad side is I don't dry camp much hate to put out a lot of money just to have them go bad again.

I have 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries

[pianotuna]

If you boondock without shore power, then it behooves you to maximize battery capacity.

I'm having great luck with my used Telecom batteries. I've had them in service for a year now and I push them hard.

They are taller than golf cart jars, but being AGM can be installed sideways. I'll certainly go with them again, since I can't afford my "ultimate" battery which would be six 2 volt AGM's with 900 amp-hours of capacity.

[CA_Traveler]

2oldman wrote:
Most "new to me" units come complete with dead batteries.

Good point, have the battery load tested at a auto store.

My 2 year old "new to me" rig came complete with 6 bad batteries which were replaced at the owners cost. Still going strong after 5 years with good management.

[darsben1]

Be interesting to know what is mean't by "the batteries".
Type, how many, etc.
Has the electrolyte level been checked on the batteries.

[CA_Traveler]

bjones3211 wrote:
I went dry camping for the first time in my new to me 2014 class c and to my surprise the batteries did not make it thru the night the next night the only thing I left on was 1 led light and the refrig. when I got up same thing batteries volts around 5.5 is this normal?

5.5V is dead and the battery will quickly become bad at those voltages.

How many and type of battery and what loads did your run? Seems like you need to become much more aware of and manage to your setup.

Batteries have limited power and shouldn't be discharged below 12.1V or you will be buying lots of new ones.

[2oldman]

Most "new to me" units come complete with dead batteries.

[korbe]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I assume the water heater was not on electric?
bumpy

Do they make 12-volt electric water heaters? Or an inverter issue?

[Bumpyroad]

I assume the water heater was not on electric?
bumpy

[turbojimmy]

bjones3211 wrote:
I went dry camping for the first time in my new to me 2014 class c and to my surprise the batteries did not make it thru the night the next night the only thing I left on was 1 led light and the refrig. when I got up same thing batteries volts around 5.5 is this normal?

Is the fridge on 12V or propane? If it's on 12V that's likely your problem. That heating element draws a lot of juice - run it off of propane unless the engine is running to charge the batteries. When on shore power obviously use 110V.

If the fridge is on propane and you're sure there's nothing else on to draw it down then you may need to replace the house batteries.