New RV Batteries Only Last 4 Hours

Question: We bought 4 new batteries for our 200 Cardinal fifth wheel. We are camping in the park and the batteries are only lasting 4 hours. What can we look for?

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Robbie: Remember the golden rule: It takes 72 hours to charge a deep cycle battery.

If you are dry camping and left your house with the batteries low (not fully charged) you could have caused the problem before you even started camping. Your batteries need to be plugged in for at least 72 hours to fully charge them. Keep in mind after the first 24 hours of charging, your batteries will still have a good 12 volt charge, but will only be 1/3 the capacity they are capable of holding. If you do not believe this is the problem do the following tests:

1. After the first 24 hours feel the batteries to see if they are hot (be sure your water levels are up before charging). If the batteries are hot you need to replace them.



2. Using a hydrometer (only six or seven dollars at a car parts store) check each cell individually to see if each cell is charging evenly. If any one cell is not the same as the others, replace that battery.



3. If you do not want to go through the trouble of checking your batteries yourself, drop them off at an RV repair center and they will do it for you.

If you have hook-ups and are plugged in check your battery monitor. If your batteries are not showing that they are being charged on the monitor you have a problem with your converter. If you think you have a problem with your converter let me know and I will help you through fixing that issue.

Hope this helps,
Robbie

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