Recharge Coach Batteries???

my generator and all my friends rigs start of house battery's. Just wondering what the other posting had that would start of coach.

I'm wondering about the comment that a few cranks of the engine drained the house batteries. If so, I would be checking to see if the house batteries are connected to the engine battery. Maybe the emergency starting switch is stuck on. Disconnecting a cable from the engine battery should leave zero voltage between the two cables; if the house battery voltage appears there, there is a problem that would likely cause damage to the house batteries.

I use Costco batteries because the price is good and I heard they are quality. Kind of like Ron's argument that Walmarts are easier to find, though, and I am pleased to hear they are good, too.

Happened to me a few weeks ago, I had turned off the coach battery disconnect while filling propane, forgot to turn back on. Was plugged into 50 AMP no problems, other than my batteries weren't charging due to disconnect,, Started Coach an poof all working as they are supposed to be. How old are your batteries, check water, also check the reset on your genny.

Posted By: Bobbo on 05/04/13 06:44pm

Not on a Winnebago. Winnebago has the generator start off of the house batteries. At least my 2007 Winnebago Outlook does.

Well, that explains why the generator won't start. Thanks for the info.


Mike,

Starting batteries are built to provide LOTS of amps for a very short period of time and will only recover from a discharge a few times before the cells will cease to hold a charge. I'm sure you've experienced a fully charge battery that runs down very quickly when the engine (of any type of vehicle) won't start.

A deep cycle battery is built with larger plates so that the amperage is not necessarily has high, but will last much longer under load and will recover from discharge many times.

Hope this helps

Ron

lanerd wrote:

mikeleblanc413 wrote:
The batteries I currently have in the coach are Duralast Marine Batteries, 800 Cold Cranking Amps...I've check the fluid levels and the connections...all are well...if replacement is the answer...what is a battery you've had excellent service with?

I believe those are NOT deep cycle batteries, rather starting batteries since they are measured in CCA. Deep cycle batteries are measure in AH (amp hours).

If this is the case, that's your problem. Get rid of the starting batteries and get deep cycle ones.

Ron

What is the difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries?

As Bobbo said, its probably the batteries. If your lucky maybe just dirty battery terminals.
Had a very similar problem on the way to FL last spring. When I checked after charging the batteries, one was bubbling and showing 9 volts, the other 12.5 volts, when connected together, just enough power to make the LEDs flicker. I replaced both as they were over 6yrs old.
Yes the Winne c-class generators start of the house batteries.

Beverley and Ken

edit added: We went with the Costco RV/Marine batteries. $$$ and the fact that we don't do much boondocking. Up here they were $40-$50 each cheaper than the closest competitor.

lanerd wrote:
Need more info. When you say "coach" batteries... what batteries are you referring to? House or Chassis?

Engine and Generator should both start off of chassis batteries. So if one starts and the other doesn't...sounds like and bad connection someplace..probably ground.

Not on a Winnebago. Winnebago has the generator start off of the house batteries. At least my 2007 Winnebago Outlook does.

The problem is probably that the batteries are dead or dying. Take them to an auto parts place for a load test.

mikeleblanc413 wrote:
The batteries I currently have in the coach are Duralast Marine Batteries, 800 Cold Cranking Amps...I've check the fluid levels and the connections...all are well...if replacement is the answer...what is a battery you've had excellent service with?

I believe those are NOT deep cycle batteries, rather starting batteries since they are measured in CCA. Deep cycle batteries are measure in AH (amp hours).

If this is the case, that's your problem. Get rid of the starting batteries and get deep cycle ones.

Ron

If you have a conventional battery charger, I would charge each house battery independantly, monitoring each charge along the way. It could be that one battery is bad affecting the charge of both batteries. If one battery proves to be good, then hook up the house on the good one alone and use it to check your electrical systems. One good battery should start a generator with no trouble along with everything else as many motor homes have only one house battery.

If determined one or both batteries are bad and your house wiring is good, then be sure to replace "BOTH" batteries. Don't replace just the bad one.

As far as which battery is a good one to buy, that is a huge topic with a pile of opinions. I replaced ours with large EverStart MAXX brand RV batteries from Walmart. I figured if we have battery trouble, there is always a Walmart near by to exercise any kind of warranty. Four years so far and the Walmart MAXX are holding up beautifully. I really like the design of the tops as they vent active boiling acid nicely with no mess yet. They are bigger than our original batteries yet still fit in the battery tray. They have more reserve power which we appreciate.

We've been using 2 Diehard Platinum Marine batteries with good results for a couple of years. AGM so no need to add water. More expensive but should last longer, slower self discharge when not in use. I took a look and they are currently a few bucks off. If you go that route, to get the discount I think you have to order online and pick up in the store.