House Battery Dies Quickly

[paulgreenwood1]

I own a 2004 Coachmen Mirada class A. Last year I replaced the house battery. Now my battery won't run my lights for more than a couple of hours before dying. As I live in Florida, I figured maybe the heat was killing the battery, but, after further reading, I'm not so sure. Can anyone suggest why my battery dies so quickly? Is there a way that I can check if it is being charged sufficiently when rv engine is on? I do alot of boondocking, so my HB is usually only being charged when I drive. I have noticed, however, that when I camp and am plugged in, the battery also does not last long after disconnecting from shore power.When the rv is not in use, I make sure to push the battery disconnect, so it is not in use when sitting for long times idle.Maybe just a bad battery? It is deep cycle marine battery. I also read that completely discharging the hb will cut down the life. In future, should I turn lights off when battery reads 1/3?

[paulgreenwood1]

Sorry, guess I forgot to turn on the brain switch this morning. Let me rephrase....battery does not run lights for a few hours before dying. Even after using generator for air conditioning for a couple of hours, my battery dies quickly when generator is off and battery is powering lights/fridge.I figured a few hours with the generator on would have charged the house battery fairly sufficiently...

[CA_Traveler]

Doubtful that an air conditioner would run or even start on a marine battery.

First step is to have the battery load tested at a auto store for free. Next you need to determine your usage. A DC clamp on ammeter or battery monitor would be helpful.

Also a marine battery is slightly better than a starting battery but it's not a true deep cycle battery regardless of what you read on the label.

[Dick_B]

I guess the battery is powering the inverter that is running the air conditioner. Right?
I have trouble believing that the battery would last very long under these conditions.
To be sure I would take the battery to someone for a load test; not just testing voltage at the terminals.
Even new batteries can be bad too soon.
Where to buy? Try Batteries Plus.

[paulgreenwood1]

Air conditioner.

[2oldman]

Ac is what?