What keeps draining my RV battery?

Sulfation, parasitic loads, self-discharging, overcharging, undercharging, and lack of maintenance are the usual suspects of battery death, but they are all relatively easy to prevent with regular attention and smart battery charging.

Why are my RV batteries draining so fast?

Why might your RV battery be draining too fast? You may have more power draw on the batteries than you think you do. Dome lights and headlights left on are two common culprits. Furthermore, you should disconnect the ground wire while it is in storage to prevent that from draining the battery when it isn't in use.

What can drain battery in motorhome?

The main causes of battery drain is a faulty leisure battery. The battery may be old, cold or just need to be replaced. A faulty piece of equipment such as the charger or anything connected to the leisure battery could cause a drain.

Why won't my RV batteries hold a charge?

If your camper trailer battery is not charging, the way to troubleshoot is to check for corrosion, battery charge health, and converter issues. Your circuit board may have blown fuses, diodes, and resistors, or the shore power may be at fault. Proper maintenance is the key to battery health.

What runs off the battery in a travel trailer?

Most RVs have one or more batteries. The batteries provide your RV with a source of power when no external power is available. The amount of power the batteries can provide on their own is fairly low — they can run the lights, water pump, and small appliances for the better part of the day, but that is about it.

5. Drained RV battery mystery solved

What runs off 12v in RV?

The 12-volt system is powered by a battery (or in some cases, multiple batteries), and it powers things such as the start-up on your water heater, furnace, and refrigerator, plus most of the lights in your RV's living space, your water pump, your carbon monoxide detector, and a number of other things.

How can I make my RV batteries last longer?

This time can be extended by adjusting power usage, conserving water (not running the pump), shutting off lights as much as possible, or simply by upgrading or adding extra batteries. "3 stage chargers are designed to vary the current and voltage to best charge the batteries and keep them at their most efficient.

Does plugging in an RV charge the battery?

Fortunately, the answer is yes; your RV house battery will charge while it is plugged into shore power. Your RV battery will charge when an external power source is connected and providing power to your RV.

Does an RV battery charge when plugged into shore power?

Many RVs do charge chassis batteries, but not all. If your rig's chassis battery (or batteries, in larger motorhomes) aren't charged by shore power, which is more common in smaller rigs, they'll only be charged by the alternator when the engine is running.

Should I disconnect my RV battery when plugged in?

Parasitic loads like gas detectors, clocks, and other small electrical devices drain power when your RV isn't in use. If the power gets too low, it can hurt battery life. Your RV should be equipped with battery disconnect switches to prevent this, so don't forget to engage them when the RV is off or in storage.

How do you keep a motorhome battery charged?

Using Solar Panels

Ensuring your motorhome's battery is charged while it is in storage is a good way to prolong its life. One way to keep the battery charged is to use solar panels. Before you think about using solar panels you will need to work out how much power is drained from the battery.

How often do you need to add water to RV battery?

I recommend checking the water level monthly and after each RV trip. If you leave the RV plugged in, constantly charging the battery, you should check the water levels bi-monthly. Next it's important to know you only add water to a fully charged battery, unless the water level is already below the plates in the cell.

Why does my RV chassis battery keep dying?

If you don't recharge your chassis and coach batteries fully, sulfation will set in and cause your batteries to die. A lack of maintenance on the chassis and coach batteries will lead to your RV's batteries needing to be replaced once a year or every 2 years.

What charges the house batteries in an RV?

Two main power sources charge your batteries: your RV's generator and shore power. The converter or inverter on your RV will use the power from your generator to recharge your house batteries while it is running.

How do I test my RV converter?

Should I leave my RV inverter on all the time?

For most installations, an RV inverter should be turned off when not in use. This is because an inverter can drain power from batteries even when there is no power being used.

How do I know if my RV battery is charging?

Your RV battery will automatically start charging when you plug into an external power source, like shore power or a generator. You can test this by checking the battery's voltage while it is being charged, which should read above 13 volts.

How long does it take an RV converter to charge battery?

Be advised that if your battery is below 50% capacity, 8 hours or more could be needed using your stock RV converter. You could upgrade to a 4-stage smart charger to charge faster — usually around 2 hours for a full recharge.

Does a 7 pin trailer plug charge battery?

Charging Trailer Battery from 7 Pin Plug

The 7 pin plug is designed to provide and pass-through for systems from the tow vehicle to your towable. Not only does it supply power for charging the house batteries in the camper or trailer, but it also does other things too.

How long do RV deep cycle batteries last?

The bottom line is a little routine maintenance and recharging a discharged battery as soon as possible will extend the life of the battery. RV batteries can and should last 5 to7 years, rather than 1 to 2 years.

How often should I charge my RV battery?

Charge the batteries as they naturally discharge. If you can gain access to your rig while in storage, ensure that you charge your battery fully once a month. Unregulated solar panels may fail to maintain a charge — or, even worse, boil off electrolyte. Check on your batteries periodically while in storage.

How long does a fully charged RV battery last?

Most batteries—when properly maintained—last at least six years. Things happen, of course, but the average RVer can expect to replace their motorhome battery (or batteries) every few years at most. You might find your batteries running out of juice within a few months or just a couple years.

How much does an RV converter cost?

If you do need to replace your converter, prices vary between $150 – $1,600. The difference in price depends on the amount of amperage you are dealing with. For your RV, be prepared to spend above $400 or more.