Good Sam Community

vjswhippet · ‎May-11-2019

My sprinter motor home came with a solar panel and 2 batteries. I’ve never seen the charging light come on even on the sunniest days. My husband pulled one of the batteries and tested it and then the second one. Both say they have a short in them. Then realized they are both golf cart batteries. Is this ok ? I thought for trailers, campers, motor homes you used marine batteries!

Vickie Smith
Kansas City area
2020 Coachmen Leprechaun 260DS

Lwiddis · ‎May-11-2019

You and DH might find some reading on RV electricity, batteries, charging etc. helpful.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

2oldman · ‎May-11-2019

Are these batteries 17 years old?

"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

CA_Traveler · ‎May-11-2019

Did DH realize the GC batteries are 6V and test correctly? ie Test as 6V or connect in series and test as 12V.

Marine deep cycle are just slightly better than starting batteries. GC batteries are generally much better for RV house batteries. He'll need a voltmeter to determine if the solar is charging.

2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob

pianotuna · ‎May-11-2019

Many folks use Golf cart batteries wired in series for the "house" loads.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Good Sam Community

Batteries?