Battery Advice

[dvitale300]

OK - Bought a new Starcraft TT in February. Have always used shore power, but just discovered the batteries do not work. Bought 2 new marine batteries - and they're flat dead. Battery disconnect is on. Is there something I need to check / look at before hauling the rig down to the RV repair shop for warranty service? thanks

[westend]

Discharging the batteries won't prolong their life. A FLA battery has a finite amount of discharge-charge cycles in it's life. Keeping the battery fully charged at all possible times is the best recipe for long battery life.

BTW, if you look under your vehicle hood there will be a cap on the top of the engine embossed with 710. Turn that a bit.

[dvitale300]

So I can finally report a resolution to this problem.

I went out today and no power from the batteries. I looked at the wiring coming from the cables and saw a couple of small rubber boxes. Voila - they each contained a fuse. And one of the fuse had broken. Now, I graduated college with highest honors and am an educator - and don't think of myself as 'dim'. So - I immediately got on the web searching and calling auto parts stores to see where I could purchase an 'OE" fuse for a travel trailer. No one knew what I was talking about. So as I'm about to post on this forum for advice (would could have turned out dramatically embarrassing), I picked up the fuse to look at it and discovered, yep, you guess it, a '30' amp fuse, not an 'OE fuse.

Replaced the fuse and all is well.

I do have one more question: I've never really used the trailer just on batteries. Would it be helpful to the batteries to drain them down once in a while - or does that even matter.

Thanks!

[Nvr2loud]

The other thing you can do when not camping is keep the battery plugged into a trickle charger / battery tender.

I keep my trailer plugged into 15 amp shore power at home all summer long when not in use. The onboard charger is not good and will boil the battery if left charging for too long. I remove the onboard charger fuses and then plug a trickle charger into the 12 volt plug near the TV. Then I plug the power supply of the trickle charger into a 120 volt wall plug. It maintains my battery without compromising it while the trailer is not in use.

While camping I only use the onboard charger when the trickle charger can not keep up (that does not happen often)

[Nvr2loud]

RoyB wrote:
Keep in mind if you plan on towing your trailer over PUBLIC ROADS you are required by DOT to have a working battery for the ENERGENCY BREAKAWAY SWITCH setup that will stop your runaway trailer in the event of becoming disconnected while enroute.

Not law everywhere.

Here is a summary of States and Provinces by AAA / CAA

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/#quickjumpCanada

[westend]

New batteries discharged to 11.75 should be recoverable and usable. Keep them charged as close to full charge (12.6V) as much as you can.

Battery University

[dvitale300]

GaryWT wrote:
For me, I do not have a battery disconnect. My trailer stays plugged in while it is in the yard and while camping. Check the water levels a couple times a year. When winterizing, I move the battery to the house.

K - I'm doing the right thing, just have the terminology mixed up. Bought a battery tester and they tested at about 11.75. So - I might have fried them. Added distilled water to both batteries and opened the circuit to see if they'll charge more. If not, I have a portable charger I'll use to see if they are salvageable. Damn

[2oldman]

dvitale300 wrote:
Bought 2 new marine batteries - and they're flat dead.

Why would 2 new batteries be dead?

[wing_zealot]

That depends on what you mean by "open" and "close" the battery disconnect. My way of thinking, you got it backwards. The switch is open when the batteries are not needed and not being charged, you close the switch to charge the batteries or use the batteries for power.

[GaryWT]

For me, I do not have a battery disconnect. My trailer stays plugged in while it is in the yard and while camping. Check the water levels a couple times a year. When winterizing, I move the battery to the house.

[Dakota98]

dvitale300 wrote:
Thank You! So let me get this straight:
- I should check the water levels monthly
- Whenever I am not using the batteries I should make sure to close the battery disconnect
- I should test regularly and make sure to have them charged whenever down to 50%
- When they do need a charge, I should open the battery disconnect and let them charge up

Do I have this right?

thans

YEP !!!

[downtheroad]

Did your "new" batteries ever work?
If not check for a breaker that looks like something like one of these. It will be on the positive line probably attached to the tongue underneath or frame. Follow the positive line from the battery back into the trailer...

It may have tripped. Some are self setting and some have a reset button on them...give that a try also.

[dvitale300]

Thank You! So let me get this straight:
- I should check the water levels monthly
- Whenever I am not using the batteries I should make sure to close the battery disconnect
- I should test regularly and make sure to have them charged whenever down to 50%
- When they do need a charge, I should open the battery disconnect and let them charge up

Do I have this right?

thans

[RoyB]

Keep in mind if you plan on towing your trailer over PUBLIC ROADS you are required by DOT to have a working battery for the ENERGENCY BREAKAWAY SWITCH setup that will stop your runaway trailer in the event of becoming disconnected while enroute.

I doubt if the dealship will replace any batteries under warrenty. This is more or less your responsibility to keep the batteries operational.

We all have to learn how all of this works and not get into those circumstances. My batteries were installed in 2008 and still are performing well...

Roy Ken

[time2roll]

If the switch is on (in-use) the batteries will soon discharge and become flat dead. This method of maintenance has already damaged the batteries. Get them charged asap. Plug in the trailer and check battery voltage with an actual voltmeter.

The 12 Volt Side of Life