insights on a strange DC electric phenomenon?
a couple yrs ago, i disconnected the BIRD solenoid that allows both engine and coach batts to link for charging and emergency start. since then, i have disconnect the pos term of the fully charged ...
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bulmart wrote: "What could be going on?"
To answer your question the best I can. Every lead/acid battery I've ever seen/tested, even if sitting on a shelf connected to nothing, WILL slowly discharge over time. (that's why battery minders for rarely used batteries are a good idea) It's just the nature of the beast. As previously mentioned, you can assure yourself that if your house/chassis batteries are in the system in any way, there are some parasitic loads on them and they will slowly discharge over time. Age is another factor. Older batteries generally lose their charge faster that newer ones. When a lead/acid battery works, small lead particles of the plates slowly slough off and drop to the bottom of the battery case. Eventually the debris piles up high enough to touch the bottom of what's left of the plates and one or more of the battery cells shorts out internally. You can't see that looking at the outside of the battery. Usually, but not always, when that happens, the battery is done.
Chum lee
To answer your question the best I can. Every lead/acid battery I've ever seen/tested, even if sitting on a shelf connected to nothing, WILL slowly discharge over time. (that's why battery minders for rarely used batteries are a good idea) It's just the nature of the beast. As previously mentioned, you can assure yourself that if your house/chassis batteries are in the system in any way, there are some parasitic loads on them and they will slowly discharge over time. Age is another factor. Older batteries generally lose their charge faster that newer ones. When a lead/acid battery works, small lead particles of the plates slowly slough off and drop to the bottom of the battery case. Eventually the debris piles up high enough to touch the bottom of what's left of the plates and one or more of the battery cells shorts out internally. You can't see that looking at the outside of the battery. Usually, but not always, when that happens, the battery is done.
Chum lee
