studmuffin
west central Florida
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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This summer, I had the positive clamp rot, and break. Since I had 4 6V batteries, I lost half my battery power. Clamped it and that got me home from Canada. Dropped off the coach, at Cummins PowerSouth, in Ocala, and had a bunch of work done. I gave them a new battery end, one that had a clamp and 2 4 gauge ports, to be installed. Got the coach back, looked and the new end was installed, and every thing seemed OK.
About a week later, while checking the rig, in storage, I noticed the inverter was on, and I could not shut it off, at the remote terminal.
Went under the rig and shut the inverter off. I never use the inverter, it is always shut off. Then I noticed the battery voltage was at 36% of charge. With 2 big solar panels, the batteries were always at 100%. The remote readout, for the solar panels, shows a 4-5 amp output, in sunlight. When I put a inline ampmeter, on the charge line, I show about 1 3/4 to 2 amps. the battery voltage is 11.8, but the voltage, off the solar panel, is 13.78 volts, unhooked.
I left it charge for 2 days, and the batteries, only, got to 46% of full charge.
Are the batteries shot that quickly, or did I POP something.
Any ideas would help a lot, I will try and get a load tester, to check the batteries, but I need other ideas!!
Thanks, the undercharged Muffin Man.
The coach info is below.
Jack, with Linda, the wonder navigator
2001 Monaco Dynasty Regent 40 ft./2 slide with 370 Cummins
2008 Honda CRV , Blue Ox tow gear
2 mangey cats and a Sheltie ( Buddy, Sam, & Smokey )
Done fulltiming, nut still traveling
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Did you check the cells with Hydrometer, that would tell you right away. But I know from times past, when the terminal post rots off, it's makes the battery a good candidate for replacement. Your coach is 2001, how old are the batteries. Bill.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi studmuffin,
At 2 amps per hour and 5 peak sun hours per day you are only going to put 10 amps per day back into the batteries. You don't say what your total amp-hour capacity is--but if it is 400 amp-hours and you put back in 20 amp-hours then your system is pretty well "on track" at only 46% of fully charged. Give it about another ten days and you may be back at 100%.
The batteries may have a shorter life span--but I doubt if they are "hatched".
studmuffin wrote:This summer, I had the positive clamp rot, and break. Since I had 4 6V batteries, I lost half my battery power. Clamped it and that got me home from Canada. Dropped off the coach, at Cummins PowerSouth, in Ocala, and had a bunch of work done. I gave them a new battery end, one that had a clamp and 2 4 gauge ports, to be installed. Got the coach back, looked and the new end was installed, and every thing seemed OK.
About a week later, while checking the rig, in storage, I noticed the inverter was on, and I could not shut it off, at the remote terminal.
Went under the rig and shut the inverter off. I never use the inverter, it is always shut off. Then I noticed the battery voltage was at 36% of charge. With 2 big solar panels, the batteries were always at 100%. The remote readout, for the solar panels, shows a 4-5 amp output, in sunlight. When I put a inline ampmeter, on the charge line, I show about 1 3/4 to 2 amps. the battery voltage is 11.8, but the voltage, off the solar panel, is 13.78 volts, unhooked.
I left it charge for 2 days, and the batteries, only, got to 46% of full charge.
Are the batteries shot that quickly, or did I POP something.
Any ideas would help a lot, I will try and get a load tester, to check the batteries, but I need other ideas!!
Thanks, the undercharged Muffin Man.
The coach info is below.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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Dynasty40
Northern California
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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Yeah, I would definitely have the batteries tested, stat and under load. Did any of the additional work you had done involve the electrical system, or was the battery cable post replacement your only electrical issue? Usually there is a reason why your cable rotted. Your batteries are undoubtedly toasted......Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Dynasty Baron 40PFD
Towing a Chevy HHR W/
ReadyBrute
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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I had a starting issue and it was killing the batteries. I changed them out and put on a trickle charger and new cables and ends and new grounds and it still was an issue so I had the starter changed out and that did the trick. It was drawing way too many amps and it was hurting the batteries and the cables.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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