Battery Issue

[buffaloKev]

Had a battery problem this weekend. After about a 4 hour trip and arriving to campground close to 10pm, when I plugged in the shore power to my Coachmen Freedom Express, got nothing. Changed sites thinking it may be the shore power, but still nothing. Started checking fuses, made a trip to walmart few miles away to see if they had new power cord in stock, basically trying anything. At this point its midnight, wife and kids are asleep in truck and I noticed a bad smell and smoke coming from 12v battery. After a quick google, didn't take long to find out the battery was done. I unhooked the battery, plugged in shore power and everything was good. Couple of things, (for my ongoing learning about these beautiful creatures) why would the shore power not work because of the bad 12v battery? What likely caused the problem with the battery? I bought the TT in March new, maybe just a bad battery? Thanks for any input

[theoldwizard1]

The only way you are going to "smoke" a flooded lead acid battery is to run it dry and try to charge it or charge it at a very high rate.

When you install your new battery, check the charging voltage from your converter/charger.

[ScottG]

Sounds like at least part of your problem is a shorted battery. When they do that they're junk and cant be charged or even jumped.

[Lwiddis]

"when I plugged in the shore power to my Coachmen Freedom Express, got nothing. Changed sites..."

So I gather you don't check anything...anythng before plugging in? No wonder you have issues.

[2oldman]

Or get AGM batteries. Zero maintenance. Twice the cost.

[westend]

buffaloKev wrote:
Yeah I replaced the battery the next morning and worked well over the next 2 days. Never had a battery dry out on me, especially after 4 months of little use. Baseball and softball kept us grounded at home this spring and some of the summer. Thanks for the replies

This assumes it was full of electrolyte when installed on your trailer. If you don't pull the caps, you won't know.

Here's what I'd suggest: Buy an inexpensive hand held meter and an inexpensive hydrometer. Learn how to use them. There are many posts about battery maintenance on this Forum. You can also use these two sites for learning: 12 Volt side of life----Battery University . The price of the two measuring tools will be less than a new shore cord or less than the loss of another battery due to low maintenance.

[myredracer]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the converter/charger isn't working properly, especially if a WFCO and you may want to keep an eye on it with a voltmeter.

The first battery in our current TT lasted only a few months into the first season. Replaced it with the identical brand/type. Then that one died in the 2nd season of use plus the converter died at the same time (smelled of burning plastic + breaker tripped). Upgraded to an AGM and a Progressive Dynamics (retrofit) converter/charger. I have to think the converter was killing the batteries all along. From the very beginning, the battery never seemed to hold a charge properly and just put it down to phantom loads draining it (always made sure cells were topped up too).

[myredracer]

The first battery in our current TT lasted less than one season. Replaced it with the identical brand/type. Then that one died in the 2nd season of use plus the converter died at the same time (smelled of burning plastic + breaker tripped). Upgraded to an AGM and a Progressive Dynamics (retrofit) converter/charger. I have to think the converter was killing the batteries all along. From the very beginning, the battery never seemed to hold a charge properly (always made sure cells were topped up too).

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the converter/charger isn't working properly, especially if a WFCO.

[Sam_Spade]

Too bad things like that have to happen away from home.

Likely a cell or two shorted inside the battery, dragging down the charging voltage too.

Being only 5 months old, it should have been covered under warranty......unless it really was run dry.

[buffaloKev]

Yeah I replaced the battery the next morning and worked well over the next 2 days. Never had a battery dry out on me, especially after 4 months of little use. Baseball and softball kept us grounded at home this spring and some of the summer. Thanks for the replies

[w8lpn]

Sounds like the charging system was working a little overtime to compensate for dead battery. If unhooking the battery worked then I would put money on that that was the issue. Time for a new battery.

[2oldman]

Don't know about the power situation, but perhaps your battery got dry of water.