If the RV is parked, and no power to it, the battery can discharge in about 4 days. The CO meter will be on all the time, and using a slight amount of power every day. The Propane detector can be shut off, and will draw about 20 amp hours daily to energize the solenoid that keeps propane flowing when the detector is not in alarm mode.
I installed a large solar system to keep my batteries full all the time. It also has the side benefit of not making the alternator work hard, and thus it lasts much longer.
SunELec.com will sell panels with frames for about $1 - $2 per rated watt. 300 watts is enough for most people.
Your alternator should be connected directly to the engine battery, and with a solenoid to the coach batteries, and that would only be energized while driving the coach. Many have a 'emergency start' switch to turn on that solenoid while starting the RV, and used all the batteries to jump start the RV. Some even have a device, so that when the measured voltage to the coach is over 13 volts (like it is plugged in) and the engine battery is less than say 12.4 volts (and needs to be charged) it will energize the solenoid, and allow charging the engine battery for a few hours.
When you buy a replacement alternator it will come with a sticker on it that says 'warranty void if you do not charge your car battery before installing this alternator' In other words the company that rebuilt all these alternators gets them back under warranty problems due to people trying to recharge dead batteries with the alternator, and the alternator is overloaded for a long time.
While it is difficult to overload a 190 amp alternator, with 4 batteries to recharge, it is not impossible!. I would suggest that you charge all your batteries before replacing the alternator. A portable 15 - 20 amp model for cars will work, but will take about 10 hours for each 220 amp hour battery. The built in 45 - 65 amp converter/ charger might be bad, or it should be keeping the battery full. Check it. Plugged in your battery voltage gauge should go from 1/4 (or less) to 1/2 full in a hour and to full in about 3-4 hours after plugging in the RV.
IF you have storage without 110 volt power, then solar panels are the way to go, and keep all those valuable batteries full all the time. They should be lasting 6 years if they are kept full, but will short out internally if left discharged - even for a short time, and require yearly replacement if abused, and not refilled with water.
Good luck,
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a
Porsche or Country Coach!
If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!
I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.
Kangen.com Alkaline waterEscapees.com
