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Zeppe807's avatar
Zeppe807
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015

RV Land Power at Permanent Camping Site - Battery Issues

RV Land Power at Permanent Camping Site - Battery Issues

So My family has a Permanent Camping site at a lake from April through October, and we bring the trailer up and set it up each year and move it each October for other camping while the lake is closed. After last year we noticed the batteries were no good for boondocking over the weekend. They would not hold a charge enough for running the heater even half the night.

I am wondering if having it plugged in month after month is not good for the batteries. Is there a better converter/charger that would be better for this type of use, or is there a different solution?

(this is my parents trailer, not my trailer)

Thank You,
Joe
  • Zeppe807's avatar
    Zeppe807
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    Was the battery ever run low on water?... below the plates?
    Was the battery ever allowed to go below 10.5 volts?

    These are two of the biggest battery killers.


    The water levels have always been good. I have not seen the the voltage drop that low while I have camped with my parents off the shore power.

    westend wrote:
    Are the batteries removed or disconnected while the trailer is stored or is power available 24/7/365?

    Most owners of solar battery tenders have a very small panel, usually under 20 Watts. Those small modules may not keep batteries charged if there is any load on the batteries.

    Really not enough information to make an exact diagnosis but, all things considered, it sounds like the batteries may have sulphated from not being charged correctly.

    Has anyone checked electrolyte levels, put a meter on them, or done an equalization charge?


    The batteries are only disconnected from the trailer (not the solar) when in storage at home. And the little charger is like 18 watts. And we have put a load tester on them and they tested fine, but we have not tested the electrolytes.

    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Without voltage readings and machinery model numbers this one is pure guesswork.


    I will see about getting the model next time we're up there.

    bgum wrote:
    Some what related: How does one close a lake?


    The private campground closes.



    Thanks,
    Joe
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Zeppe807 wrote:

    ...Is there a better converter/charger that would be better for this type of use, or is there a different solution....


    Better than what? We don't know what converter you have now.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 20, 2015
    Was the battery ever run low on water?... below the plates?
    Was the battery ever allowed to go below 10.5 volts?

    These are two of the biggest battery killers.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 20, 2015
    Hi,

    It sounds as though the converter is not one of the three stage type.

    Do you know the make and model?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Are the batteries removed or disconnected while the trailer is stored or is power available 24/7/365?

    Most owners of solar battery tenders have a very small panel, usually under 20 Watts. Those small modules may not keep batteries charged if there is any load on the batteries.

    Really not enough information to make an exact diagnosis but, all things considered, it sounds like the batteries may have sulphated from not being charged correctly.

    Has anyone checked electrolyte levels, put a meter on them, or done an equalization charge?
  • Zeppe807's avatar
    Zeppe807
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    If you wish to have great battery life a three stage converter may be useful. Even better is a modest solar system, because it is possible to have temperature compensated charging.

    How old are the batteries and how often have they been taken below 12.2 volts?


    Because the trailer is plugged in during 98% of it's use, it is only brought down that low a couple times when it gets used off season.

    The batteries are 1.5 years old. Napa Batteries.

    It has a solar battery tender.

    Thanks,
    Joe
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 20, 2015
    Hi,

    If you wish to have great battery life a three stage converter may be useful. Even better is a modest solar system, because it is possible to have temperature compensated charging.

    How old are the batteries and how often have they been taken below 12.2 volts?

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