Battery Charging

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

1. Shore power will keep the battery from discharging (trickle charge), but is not meant to recharge a low or dead battery. You need to fully charge them with a proper charger, then they should stay topped off when on 120v

2. I would either contact the dealer and have them check/replace or simply take them to a battery shop and have them test. These may be bad batteries from the dealer and you would need to work this out with them.

3. Batteries have a point (usually 50%) where if you drain them below that minimum charge, you dramatically lower the lifespan (and will eventually need to replace them if continued).
4. Depending on how discharged they are, it may take 24hrs (or more) to fully charge your batteries. 
I would charge the batteries individually (not as connected to the trailer). Again, this is using a proper battery charger. 
I use a NOCO Genius:
http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-UltraSafe-Battery-Charger/dp/B004LX3AS6/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1456341536&sr=1-12&keywords=battery+tender
(but you can use pretty much any brand you like).

5. If your batteries are connected to your trailer, there will always be a "phantom" drain from the CO2 detector etc. but should not drain your "fully" charged batteries in a couple of days if all other things are off. Also, one bad or low battery may drain the other when connected in series or parallel.

Im sure others will chime in and correct anything I have misrepresented......

Happy Camping!

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
johnmaci Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Topic: Battery Charging Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 2:21pm
	1. Shore power will keep the battery from discharging (trickle charge), but is not meant to recharge a low or dead battery. You need to fully charge them with a proper charger, then they should stay topped off when on 120v 2. I would either contact the dealer and have them check/replace or simply take them to a battery shop and have them test. These may be bad batteries from the dealer and you would need to work this out with them. 3. Batteries have a point (usually 50%) where if you drain them below that minimum charge, you dramatically lower the lifespan (and will eventually need to replace them if continued). 4. Depending on how discharged they are, it may take 24hrs (or more) to fully charge your batteries. I would charge the batteries individually (not as connected to the trailer). Again, this is using a proper battery charger. I use a NOCO Genius: http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-UltraSafe-Battery-Charger/dp/B004LX3AS6/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1456341536&sr=1-12&keywords=battery+tender (but you can use pretty much any brand you like). 5. If your batteries are connected to your trailer, there will always be a "phantom" drain from the CO2 detector etc. but should not drain your "fully" charged batteries in a couple of days if all other things are off. Also, one bad or low battery may drain the other when connected in series or parallel. Im sure others will chime in and correct anything I have misrepresented...... Happy Camping!

Pete Brayton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 29 Jul 2015 Location: Parker, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 130	Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 1:41pm
	The propane detector is always drawing power but, I don't think it would drain two batteries in a few days. I don't think the tank/battery monitor is a very good determiner of battery charge state or water levels for that matter from what I've read on this forum. Also, you might check to make sure all other power using devices are turned off like the tv antenna. I've placed an ammeter between the positive terminal of the battery and the disconnected positive battery cable to determine how much and if there is a current draw from various electrical devices on the camper, you could try that to see if something is still using power when everything else appears to be turned off. You might also get the batteries checked to see if they're still good. Have you placed a voltmeter across one of your batteries while your camper is plugged in to see if your converter is actually getting power to the batteries? Just a few suggestions that I hope might help. Hopefully others will provide some more ideas. Good luck!

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4519	Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 12:26pm
	Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 178! There are several folks on the forum that run dual batteries. They should be able to assist you.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 Previously owner 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Bret Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2016 Location: Boulder Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 12:06pm
	Hi - I just purchased a 2015 r pod 178 which came with dual batteries. Does any know how long the batteries need to charge when you use the electrical cable plugged in to the 120 V AC? I have charged the batteries for 12 hours and achieved a 2/3 charge, but after the trailer sits for a couple of days, with no electrical draw on the battery, the batteries are almost drained. Thanks, Bret