Thanks again for the help. The batteries I charged with an external charger days ago have held the charge nicely.

The 40 amp fuses had not blown, but with the negative battery lead to the camper disconnected, and shore power connected I had AC but zero DC in the Rpod. The WFCO troubleshooting tree indicated I needed to replace a defective converter. and the tech guy I spoke to there confirmed that as well. 

So a replacement is on the way 

Still unclear to me why the battery voltage level would drop so far, so fast, after returning home and plugging into shore power after a boondocking trip where we had ample power and having almost zero DC load going on in the camper. But I'll wait and see if a non-defective converter solves it. Probably have to wait till Spring, cause we're about due for winterizing here in VT.

Thanks again.

Ken

Thanks for the pointers. It'll take me a day or so to follow up. I'll report back what I find out. Appreciate the guidance!!

ken

Ken

Before going that route give them each a 2 amp trickle charge for 24 hours and take a reading of each.  They both should read a minimum of 12.72 volts.  Wait 4-6 hours and read each again.  They should read 12.7 volts or close to that if they are good.  Take another reading a day later.  If they continue to fall in voltage, they are probably ready for retirement, however if they read the same as they did after your 4-6 hour reading I would let them live. 

Make sure your electrolyte levels are full before charging, add distilled water if low.

I wonder about the health of my batteries after being drawn down so far 3-4 times this summer. Both are Interstate 24M-RD 400CCA batteries. One came with the used R180 fall 2020 (maybe the original battery ? -- no date stickers removed to clue me) and I went the cheap route and added a matching battery that fall 10/20. Maybe need to start with two fresh?!

Ken

Ken

Agree with GG.  Also I would think your batteries on on their way out if they are only reading 12.04 even if you have been boondocking for 2-4 days.  Have you kept the electrolyte levels full with distilled water?

I have a pair of group size 24 Interstate deep cycles that have performed very well; we usually boondock.  We expect 3 days/battery when night temps are in the 40's and the furnace runs a lot.  Even after 3 days the battery will be 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v - at that point we switch batteries.  We run separate, not parallel, since one is from 12/2010 and the other is 4/2011.

I must confess at this point, the older one from 2010 was just 'retired' as of yesterday.  After 1 day of use it drops to 12.14v and after trickle charging with a 2 amp charger for 24 hours and letting it rest for another 4 hours before reading it only reads 12.3 volts.

So, I just purchased a 12v. Trojan golf cart battery T-1275, 150 ah, weight is 85 lbs.  I am glad for the extra tongue weight as I have had to add 3 used rotors from my F-150 and they sit in the front stow area of my 177 (taking up valuable storage space) so that I can keep my tongue weight at 11% - tongue weight with the old setup was 325 lbs with a fully loaded FW tank which is located behind the axle.  With the additional 45 lbs on the a-frame I will now be able to pitch the rotors and gain some extra storage.

I have two 12v batteries hooked in parallel.