DD716TED
Washington State
Senior Member
Joined: 10/27/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
We are camping and I noticed something that I had never noticed in the 11 years we have owned the trailer.. We are plugged into pedestal power. When nothing that requires 12 volts is on, the 12v power monitor meter reads 13.7 volts dc.. However when the refrigerator is on (not on gas), the dc power drops to 12.6 vdc AND when the furnace cycles on with refrigerator on, lights dim and 12 v power monitor meter drops to 11.7 volts dc.. Don't ever remember seeing this in the past..ARE MY BATTERYS FAILING? Help please.. easier to find new batteries on Saturday than Sunday when camping..
|
Lwiddis
Southern California :(
Senior Member
Joined: 08/12/2016
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Could be. Have them tested IMO. How old are the batteries? 11 years is a great life for a wet battery.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
|
BFL13
Victoria, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2006
View Profile
|
It appears the converter is is working to supply that 13.7 to the monitor somehow, but that the fridge and furnace are on battery.
Something is blown so the converter's 13.7v is not reaching the fridge and furnace and also note the battery is getting lower with use, as indicated by the voltage drop when the furnace comes on.
You can keep going that way until the battery bank gets too low and then you will need a battery charger, or else get the converter back on line.
You don't need new batteries now, just a battery charger.
BTW the fridge on 120v does use a little 12v for its controls
1. 1991 Oakland 28DB Class C
on Ford E350-460-7.5 Gas EFI
Photo in Profile
2. 1991 Bighorn 9.5ft Truck Camper on 2003 Chev 2500HD 6.0 Gas
See Profile for Electronic set-ups for 1. and 2.
|
DD716TED
Washington State
Senior Member
Joined: 10/27/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
BFL13 wrote:It appears the converter is is working to supply that 13.7 to the monitor somehow, but that the fridge and furnace are on battery.
Something is blown so the converter's 13.7v is not reaching the fridge and furnace and also note the battery is getting lower with use, as indicated by the voltage drop when the furnace comes on.
You can keep going that way until the battery bank gets too low and then you will need a battery charger, or else get the converter back on line.
You don't need new batteries now, just a battery charger.
BTW the fridge on 120v does use a little 12v for its controls
|
DD716TED
Washington State
Senior Member
Joined: 10/27/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
when pedestal power is disconnected, fridge still works and furnace still runs.. but for how long?? didn't want to find out..
|
|
|
BFL13
Victoria, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2006
View Profile
|
DD716TED wrote:when pedestal power is disconnected, fridge still works and furnace still runs.. but for how long?? didn't want to find out..
To be sure they will not get so low that you can't run 12v things, you need to recharge the batts. They are low now, so you could get a simple auto battery charger today and leave it clamped on the batts since you have 120v to run it.
If you got new batts today, they will just get run down too with no battery charging. You could get new batts and a battery charger. Depends how old the batts are in there now.
You need a working battery for the trailer when it is on the road in case of a breakaway.
I am confused about the 12v monitor showing that 13.7v and then also showing the lower figures when 12v loads come on.
|
IB853347201
Eastern Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
How old are your batteries? From what you describe, I would say they are toast.
2010 Suncruiser
|
CA Traveler
The Western States
Senior Member
Joined: 01/03/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
First step is free battery load test at most auto stores.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
|
lenr
Indianapolis, IN
Senior Member
Joined: 04/12/2008
View Profile
|
It's hard to tell the difference between battery problems and charger problems. Because RV converters (chargers) are strong enough to run the trailer when the battery is discharged, my bet is on the charger especially if it is a WFCO. Progressive Dynamics makes a great converter for replacement when using lead acid batteries.
|
lenr
Indianapolis, IN
Senior Member
Joined: 04/12/2008
View Profile
|
Oh, and bad converters have been known to boil out batteries ruining them--so, both converter and battery could be bad.
|
|
|
