12 volt battery issues in TT
We have a 27' 1990 Scotty TT and we are having issues with our 12V battery. When we go to 12V it isn't anywhere near full power, only minimum. Anyone else have this problem?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Forum Discussion
- You have to get a grip on the condition of the battery and how well-fed it has been, or not. Start with the basics. MARK THE WIRES SO YOU DON'T GET THEM MIXED UP
Remove the battery take it to a BATTERY SHOP, get it charged and tested.
Return to the forum and report your findings.
You'll get help, step-by-step by various members and the info will be correct. - This is where a good inexpensive multimeter would really help answer your question.
This mulitmeter can be purchased from WALMART-LOWES-Any number of auto parts places-etc for $10-$25 and IMO all RV'er should have one in their RV TOOLBOX.
The MULTIMETER will look something like this model shown...
A 12VDC battery should read these DC VOLTAGE levels depending on its charged state. Place the multimeter on the battery terminals without shore power turned ON should show you what charge state the battery is in... A reading of 12.6VDC will represent a fully charged battery.
Measuring the same battery terminals when you are plugged into shore power connections should show an increase in DC VOLTAGE to 13.6VDC indicating the on-board converter/charger unit is operating. If you DO NOT see an increase in DC VOLTAGE on the battery terminals when plugged into shore power then you are not charging your battery as you you should be doing. There is a disconnect somewhere between the battery terminals and the two DC OUTPUT connections of the converter/charger unit. This is assuming your trailer ceiling lights works just fine when plugged into Shore Power.
In your case if the ceiling lights in your trailer is dim and the battery terminals are reading lets say 10.5VDC or lower then your battery is totally discharged and needs to be re-charged right away otherwise it will start internal destruction of its cores. What you want to happy when using just your trailer battery battery to operate the 12VDC appliances and lights is to never let it drop below 50% charge state or around 12.0VDC before re-charging right away.
Your 12VDC power to operate the trailer 12VDC Appliances and lights comes from two places. The on-board converter/charger unit and/or the on-board 12VDC Battery.
Having a multimeter around is a very useful tool in determining what is wrong with your battery system
Just my thoughts
Roy Ken - How is it being charged before you try to use it and how long? Also how old is the battery, do you disconnect it in between uses?
