do I have a battery issue?

[late_bloomer]

Today I checked my batteries,and my house batteries had what looked like corrosion on the posts. Then my slide would not close completely. (sounded like it was losing power as it got close to closing, but didn't make it.) Lately my lights have been flickering a lot. And My Jacks won't retract all the way. Are all these things connected to the house batteries?

[J-Rooster]

kyle86 wrote:

Executive wrote:
1. Mix some water and baking soda and pour it on your batteries. Use caution as any concrete under the rig will stain. Make sure you have a pan underneath or you are over dirt.

2. Make sure ALL batteries are up to the line with water. Use distilled water to top off all batteries.

3. Remove the battery cables, ONE AT A TIME. Clean them thoroughly, put some grease on them and reinstall. You can purchase a terminal brush at any auto parts store, HD. HF, WM wherever...see pic below. Use one end to clean the terminals and the other to clean the cables.

4. Reinstall the cables, make sure you remove them ONE AT A TIME. Reinstall them after cleaning. I know this is a repeat of #3, but it should be repeated.

5. See if the problem(s) go away. If not, then you'll have to have the batteries tested UNDER LOAD. Usually an auto parts store will do this for free, but you might have to make an appointment for their convenience.

6. Check the electrolyte in the batteries to make sure it's correct.

Good Luck.....Dennis

X2 this is a good post. Sand paper can also be used to clean the terminals. Don't play with that corrosion. Handle it immediately. I have seen many cars that would not start due to corrosion on the battery. Clean the terminals and vroom!! I normally use baking soda, water, and a tooth brush. I like the aerosol can of batt terminal protector.

X-3, Very sound advice!

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Nobody answered your last question: In our rig the steps, jacks and slides are powered by the chassis battery. Probably why the manual says to have the engine running to operate the slides and extend the jacks.

[RayChez]

You probably have two batteries on the Dolphin with the workhorse chassis. 2005 figuring they have been changed out at five years, it probably needs two new batteries again. But load test them and they can tell you if the batteries are weak and need replacement.

There is no reason why anybody has corrosion problems. It is lack of maintenance on your part because everybody that owns a RV should wash the batteries at least every two months. You will never have any corrosion problems if you do that.

Sorry! I usually do not read all the posts, only the original. So I see now that you did find the problem. I am glad for you that the problem has been solved.

[tinkerer]

My coach is a 2007 and I have had to replace a quite a terminal ends as they corroded away.

[late_bloomer]

It was the batteries. After cleaning, greasing, and re-installing I had them tested at Autozone. Dead on arrival. Picked up two new ones and installed them, poof, all of my electrical gremlins are gone! Thanks everyone.

[fischer]

I had they same problem with a 2005 southwind. My converter was bad. I The next time your lights flicker try turning your converter off.
p. s. check your grounds

[kyle86]

Executive wrote:
1. Mix some water and baking soda and pour it on your batteries. Use caution as any concrete under the rig will stain. Make sure you have a pan underneath or you are over dirt.

2. Make sure ALL batteries are up to the line with water. Use distilled water to top off all batteries.

3. Remove the battery cables, ONE AT A TIME. Clean them thoroughly, put some grease on them and reinstall. You can purchase a terminal brush at any auto parts store, HD. HF, WM wherever...see pic below. Use one end to clean the terminals and the other to clean the cables.

4. Reinstall the cables, make sure you remove them ONE AT A TIME. Reinstall them after cleaning. I know this is a repeat of #3, but it should be repeated.

5. See if the problem(s) go away. If not, then you'll have to have the batteries tested UNDER LOAD. Usually an auto parts store will do this for free, but you might have to make an appointment for their convenience.

6. Check the electrolyte in the batteries to make sure it's correct.

Good Luck.....Dennis

X2 this is a good post. Sand paper can also be used to clean the terminals. Don't play with that corrosion. Handle it immediately. I have seen many cars that would not start due to corrosion on the battery. Clean the terminals and vroom!! I normally use baking soda, water, and a tooth brush. I like the aerosol can of batt terminal protector.

[Executive45]

1. Mix some water and baking soda and pour it on your batteries. Use caution as any concrete under the rig will stain. Make sure you have a pan underneath or you are over dirt.

2. Make sure ALL batteries are up to the line with water. Use distilled water to top off all batteries.

3. Remove the battery cables, ONE AT A TIME. Clean them thoroughly, put some grease on them and reinstall. You can purchase a terminal brush at any auto parts store, HD. HF, WM wherever...see pic below. Use one end to clean the terminals and the other to clean the cables.

4. Reinstall the cables, make sure you remove them ONE AT A TIME. Reinstall them after cleaning. I know this is a repeat of #3, but it should be repeated.

5. See if the problem(s) go away. If not, then you'll have to have the batteries tested UNDER LOAD. Usually an auto parts store will do this for free, but you might have to make an appointment for their convenience.

6. Check the electrolyte in the batteries to make sure it's correct.

Good Luck.....Dennis

[Artum_Snowbird]

You may have a battery issue, but it is more likely you have a corrosion issue preventing the charge from the converter to get properly to the batteries.

You need to do some voltage checks with a good meter, clean up the terminals, and possibly see what can happen when you charge the batteries from a battery charger. If the batteries are dead, it won't work. If you have connection problems, the batteries may be perfectly fine, but the current doesn't like bad connections.

[maanpaontheroad]

Are you still connected to shore power. Unplugging is the last thing I do. Good Luck.

[gbopp]

Did you remove the cables and clean the terminals?

Do that first.