Forum Discussion

BEisler's avatar
BEisler
Explorer
Mar 01, 2014

No Power - all batteries dead - Class A rig

Over the winter, every couple of weeks I have been going to my 2013 Thor Daybreak Class A while its sitting in outside storage and starting it up. I usually leave it run 30 minutes when I do this. I believe the last time was one week ago. Anyway, I went there again today and NOTHING. The chassis battery and both house batteries were dead. I tried jumping the chassis battery but couldn't get enough of a charge in it to turn the engine over. I find it strange that the chassis AND the house batteries are dead. Does a dead chassis battery cause draining of the house batteries (which I always have in the "disconnect" mode while in storage)? Although its a 2013 vehicle after such a brutal winter (Indianapolis) I assume the chassis battery could have gone bad. OR, could it be another issue? I look forward to input.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2014
    No vehicle I know of will charge the starting battery significantly while idling, certainly not enough to make up for starting draw in a mere half hour. The engine just doesn't turn fast enough. Beyond that, I'd worry about leaving the engine full of condensed water from the exhaust. A half-hour idling will barely warm up a gas engine, but leave a diesel below operating temperature. Certainly both will still have cold exhaust pipes.

    I'd suggest taking all the batteries out and putting them on battery chargers. Do check they are full of water before you charge them.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 02, 2014
    Take pictures of the wiring and take all batteries in for load testing, usually free.

    Both batteries could have small loads that cannot be turned off which is why I suggesting installing manual disconnect switches on the batteries.
  • BEisler's avatar
    BEisler
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    So it appears general consensus is that I have at least one battery to replace and that I need to consider some other options going forward including solar chargers and not starting my rig and idling it while in storage over the winter.

    Everyone agree?

    To be honest this would be good news as I was concerned that the chassis battery was dead along with the two house batteries.

    Although I have to say, I am concerned that the chassis battery AND the two house batteries went dead.

    Always great input on this site.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    If the rig had two battery switches switched to off and played possum when they were switched back on this would really be something new.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 01, 2014
    If you cannot keep it plugged in... You need a 100w solar panel to keep the house batteries up. Possibly a Trik-L-Start combiner to keep the chassis battery charged. As said unless you are going to drive 20+ minutes don't start the engine or generator. Especially in cold weather.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 01, 2014
    Takes about a half hour of decent driving to properly warm an engine, and takes much longer to properly charge batteries... Though starting batteries do re-charge fairly fast you also have house batteries slowly loosing it.

    Shore power for 24 hours if you have a bi-directrional isolator is my recommendation. And I echo the drive time comments of others.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 01, 2014
    Your running is not good for the engine. Drive it for 25 miles to get it up to temperature and the moisture out or don't start it.

    Store it fully charged with a disconnect switch directly on each battery bank and turn them off.

    The less discharged when stored then the more likely they will freeze and then they are toast.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Mar 01, 2014
    Hi,

    Unless you were running it for at least an hour every visit, you may have gradually depleted the chassis batteries.

    You might try tugging on the battery cables to see if they are both tight.

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