Dead Battery

[BamaBelle]

We just brought home a new to us 2018 Kodiak Cub ultralite 176rd. Electric tongue was iffy while out & had to use manual jack. Then it worked again & we got home. Been dead ever since, won't charge, took it to auto parts for testing, it's dead. We must buy new deep cell battery. What steps do we need to follow to not kill the new battery?

 

[persistent]

The biggest issue with lead acid batteries is their need to be fully charged during storage. Keeping water levels up to mark and not over is the next biggest issue.

Fully charge 14 to 18 hours before storage. It does not mater what state of charge they were at, charge for a long time. This is needed to get all the lead sulfate off the plates before storage.

Next, recharge for 10 hours before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts.

RV batteries may be stored for short periods before needing recharge. You may get 3 days or 3 weeks before needing charge. Monitor battery terminal voltage until you know how long your RV will last.

For longer periods, disconnect the battery bank after the initial 18 hour charge. AGM lead acid batteries can last up to 12 months disconnected.
Flooded lead acid batteries can last up to 6 months disconnected.

For most RV's, disconnect the negative battery cable. If you have a Magnum inverter/charger, first pull the high capacity Magnum fuse or circuit breaker. See Magnum owner's manual.

I installed a battery disconnect switch in the battery positive cable to easily disconnect.

 

[BamaBelle]

Thank you. Do your recommendations apply to a deep cell marine battery also? I'm real green at all this as I'm sure you can tell.

 

[persistent]

Please post make and model of Marine battery in question. I don't know what a deep cell marine battery is.

I recommend AGM Marine batteries.
I have no knowledge about flooded cell marine batteries.

AGM is Absorbed Glass Mat. The electrolyte is absorbed into pads between the plates. The limited amount of electrolyte cause them to stop discharging when electrolyte runs out, before damage to plates is done.

Because of limited electrolyte, plates don't have to be so thick. Marine AGM have more thin plates with pads between. This allows faster charge and discharge.

 

[arlittle@shaw.ca]

Hi;

I had a similar issue, I replaced the battery with a "Gel' Optima "Blue Top", I installed a Battery Isolation switch on the top of the Battery Box cover, then found that there was another issue, the actual power jack had a short in it (water ingress), so I got a cover for the head, so far no recurring issues.

Andy

 

[BamaBelle]

Hi;

I had a similar issue, I replaced the battery with a "Gel' Optima "Blue Top", I installed a Battery Isolation switch on the top of the Battery Box cover, then found that there was another issue, the actual power jack had a short in it (water ingress), so I got a cover for the head, so far no recurring issues.

Andy

Thank you

 

[BamaBelle]

Thank you

 

[capeharj]

We just brought home a new to us 2018 Kodiak Cub ultralite 176rd. Electric tongue was iffy while out & had to use manual jack. Then it worked again & we got home. Been dead ever since, won't charge, took it to auto parts for testing, it's dead. We must buy new deep cell battery. What steps do we need to follow to not kill the new battery?

Like was said in your other post, put in a battery disconnect or unhook the battery when not in use. You have a propane sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor that will completely discharge the battery in a day if it's not plugged in. So, disconnect the battery, then no problem. Also, the charge line built into the trailer will boil all the water out of the battery if your trailer is left plugged in and ruin the battery.

 

[persistent]

Likely the OP has a WFCO converter charger. It will not boil a flooded cell lead acid battery dry even if left "ON" for a year.

Left to its own devices, the WFCO will drop battery terminal voltage fro 13.6 to 13.2 volt after it is left unoccupied for 4 days.

 

[Kroy]

We just put in a new battery as the other battery would not keep charge. This new battery is already has no power. What should I do
Thanks
Kroy

 

[Franktafl]

Batteries will go dead because of the amount of “vampire” taps that drain it and because you leave the breakers on, and because you leave,the battery switch on (if you have one) and because the converter stays on trying to run things. My RV, unless,the converter switch is pushed, will attempt to run the fridge and there is no a breaker for it. I have a solar panel hooked up that continually charges the battery (it has a charge controller built in). Or, you can leave your rv plugged into shore power or disconnect the battery when not in use. Remember, anything with a stand by battery will also go dead.

 

[persistent]

We just put in a new battery as the other battery would not keep charge. This new battery is already has no power. What should I do
Thanks
Kroy

Feel free to start your own thread.

How much power do you use?
How do you charge your battery?
How long do you charge your battery?

Storing lead acid batteries
Lead acid batteries will hold a charge for 6 months if disconnected.
Fully charge 14 to 18 hours. This cleans lead sulfate off the plates.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery terminal.
Fully recharge for 10 hours before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. This keeps lead sulfate from crystalizing on battery plates.
See my post above answering this question.

Using lead acid batteries
Batteries need to be charged in order to provide power.
Charge lead acid batteries for 14 to 18 hours for a full 100% charge. Use a high quality charger like the one installed in your RV. (Plug into shore power.)
Charging for 4 hours can supply an 80% charge. Battery won't last as long as if charged to 100%.

Battery does not last long enough even when charged
Add additional battery capacity.
Cut back on how much 12 volt power is used.
Turn things "OFF" when not in use.

• Lights
• Refrigerator running on propane
• Water heater running on propane
• Inverter supplying 120 volt AC power to appliances
• Furnace fan

Use an inverter generator for additional power. A 1000 watt generator is enough to charge batteries. A 2000 watt generator is enough to run a coffee pot or microwave. A 3000 watt generator can run an air conditioner and a lot more.

Use a solar panel. 100 to 400 watts of solar would help charge a battery or keep a battery charged.

 

[Franktafl]

Feel free to start your own thread.

How much power do you use?
How do you charge your battery?
How long do you charge your battery?

Storing lead acid batteries
Lead acid batteries will hold a charge for 6 months if disconnected.
Fully charge 14 to 18 hours. This cleans lead sulfate off the plates.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery terminal.
Fully recharge for 10 hours before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. This keeps lead sulfate from crystalizing on battery plates.
See my post above answering this question.

Using lead acid batteries
Batteries need to be charged in order to provide power.
Charge lead acid batteries for 14 to 18 hours for a full 100% charge. Use a high quality charger like the one installed in your RV. (Plug into shore power.)
Charging for 4 hours can supply an 80% charge. Battery won't last as long as if charged to 100%.

Battery does not last long enough even when charged
Add additional battery capacity.
Cut back on how much 12 volt power is used.
Turn things "OFF" when not in use.

• Lights
• Refrigerator running on propane
• Water heater running on propane
• Inverter supplying 120 volt AC power to appliances
• Furnace fan

Use an inverter generator for additional power. A 1000 watt generator is enough to charge batteries. A 2000 watt generator is enough to run a coffee pot or microwave. A 3000 watt generator can run an air conditioner and a lot more.

Use a solar panel. 100 to 400 watts of solar would help charge a battery or keep a battery charged.

Well said Paul…

 

[Kroy]

I went to test my water heater this am. Does not start on electricity . started on gas ran for a little bit then shut of ?? what am I doing wrong. This year nothing is going right

 

[Franktafl]

Here in the south, we have dirt dobbers that build their nests in the intake tubes or exhaust tubes and cause the heater or furnace to run for a few seconds then shut off. They usually build the nests way up in there so you have to take the tube apart or use flexible cleaners to root them out. Another critter that gets in there and causes issues are spiders. Lastly, a mechanical issue is called a “sail” switch. It tests the amount of air going through the heater or furnace and if it doesn’t fit the parameters, it shuts the gas off.