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Urnie-Medie · 06-27-2019, 00:14

Hopefully some one can help. My engine batteries are bad after less than two years. They said they are burnt up - hot and smell like rotten eggs. I talked with the battery company and the batteries had a 18 month warranty and they failed in a little less than two years. They asked if I keep the motorhome plugged in all the time and I told them yes. Several on this forum have told me that this is the best way to get the maximum use out of the batteries. They said this is a common mistake and when not in use the batteries should only be plugged in about one week out of four months of storage. I was also tole to keep the switch on that ties the coach and engine batteries tied together.

Please let me know if I am doing something wrong. I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks

Gregg · 06-27-2019, 07:44

Urnie,
What type of Battery charger do you have and is it matched to your battery type, ie flooded, gel, etc.

I keep my charger on and banks tied together, but it is a smart charger not the old boiler type. No unusual problems.

Gregg

Urnie-Medie · 06-27-2019, 11:11

Hi Greg

I just keep the coach plugged in - using the coaches charging system. Is that a problem?

Thanks

Urnie

***Arcticdude*** · (06-27-2019)

Urnie,

I think you're doing the right thing. I would start looking at the chargers to ensure they're not cooking the batteries. I've had a charger fail in such a way that when both chargers were on, one would sometimes start putting out 16V. I just happened to catch it doing it one time and shut it down. Now I just use one charger, even though I've replaced that unit. Mine stays plugged in unless I'm driving it, just like yours (and probably most everybody else's). I've had 1 start battery fail and replaced the other 2 for piece of mind about 5 or 6 years ago. Those were about 5 years old at the time. And those batteries were the set that took on the 16V charging and they survived.

Urnie-Medie · 06-27-2019, 15:15

Thanks. Can I just measure the output with a volt meter?

Urnie

***Arcticdude*** · (06-27-2019)

Most definitely, but you should also just sit and watch the 12V meter in the dash when you're plugged in. You need to ensure that it's constant and not varying much, as mine was. Also watch your 12V ammeter (dash and/or upper one), as you should see it start out higher when first plugged in and slowly tapering down as the batteries reach full charge. I found mine did not taper much when the battery failed. The charger never saw a full charge, so it kept trying to charge and never quit. Then I realized that I could hear the charger working fairly hard, so now I'm always listening to the noises stuff is making. I still look at the gauges when ever I get inside, though.

Urnie-Medie · 06-27-2019, 17:40

Thanks John.

Good information. I just took it yesterday to have the windshields replaced. When I got to the storage unit I thought I smelled natural gas. I checked all the natural gas fittings in the building and also around the coach. The smell was like rotten eggs. After getting the coach out I was walking around checking before I left just to make sure I didn't forget anything. When I got to the rear I smelled and realized the problem was probably with the coach.

When I get it back I will be checking more closely. Needless to say I will need to replace the batteries. Always a nice expense.

Thanks

Urnie

***Arcticdude*** · (06-28-2019)

Battery failure can occur at any time. I feel like I’ve been really lucky so far with mine. I think there definitely is a difference in battery quality, even though everybody says there’s only a couple of manufacturers out there. But I’ve had some of my vehicle batteries fail at what seemed to be a pretty young age.

I’d recommend disconnecting your chassis batteries, pulling them out and getting them tested. That way you’ll truly know what’s going on. Leaving a bad battery in place (especially if the house and chassis banks are merged), you really run the risk of destroying the rest of them by overcharging them. You can sometimes tell a bad battery by feeling each one. The hotter one(s) are likely the problem(s).

Gregg · (06-28-2019)

Hey Urnie,
I had the two charger set up that I think was standard with my coach, the High switch just turned on the second charger 110 plug. The non-smart chargers can ruin batteries. With the cost of batteries, I would invest in a smart charger if you don't have one. I traded them out for one smart charger and have not had any problems.
Follow John's advise because any battery can go bad, even with a smart charger, and it will ruin the others. Harbor Freight has a cheap battery load tester which is worth buying to confirm any suspected bad batteries without having to remove them.
Whenever I get a low voltage reading, I immediately look for a bad battery since I am plugged in all the time.
Also, depending on how you use your coach, battery quality can be important.
Gregg

Urnie-Medie · 06-28-2019, 23:29

Hi

I am almost ashamed to ask this - I thought the inverter was also the charger? Is that correct? If the charger is a different unit where is it located.

It looks like the "Green" inverters are in great shape and all the right lights seem to be on.

Is there a simple way to make sure they are working correctly.

Thanks

Urnie

Thank

Urnie