R V Battery Problem??

[HSpiering]

I bought a battery minder (mod 12117 from vdc electronics) to help save my RV batteries when they sit for couple years, The battery I have on it is only 4 years old. The lights that flash on the minder indicate that it is charged an working. The battery has been on the minder for 3 years. I took the battery off and let it sit for 24 hr as instructions say. I tested it at 12. 6 v. I let it sit for 3 day’s and put it in the trailer. Checked the system and found the battery was low. 12. 0v. I have an 8 year old battery that I charge a couple times a year that will last 3-4 for months to run the lights when needed. So I guess the question is this battery shorted out? Any way to tell? And if so maybe the battery minder is not such a good thing after all?? First time I every tried to use one of these and not to happy.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I was having the same kind of problem as you then started reading about batteries. They Self Discharge and at pretty good rate I tried to find it but could not. When I read how much and how fast I was pretty taken back by the info. I dont use the same battery minder as you I use Battery Tender is there a difference? I dont know but I have one on our tractor our 2 trucks I dont drive them as much and thought it would be a wise investment batteries are not cheap also had one on our TT until we sold it. JMO I dont know what kind of batteries you have but it seems you get what you pay for in them. Just working with our solar power system I have seen that all batteries ARE NOT THE SAME problems can occur with any of them but some seem to get used up pretty fast especially in the cold.


http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-faq2.aspx#40
The discharge rate will be at the very top of the link

BIG

 

[Newt]

You don't say what RV you have. It probably has an old style converter in it. A Progressive Dynamics converter w/Charge Wizard would be a wise replacement. Best Converters sells some systems to convert old style converters.

http://www.bestconverter.com/

Newt

 

[HSpiering]

Nothing to do with the RV. Battery was never used. Went from the store to the Battery minder for storage. Took it off the minder (jolts battery 1 amp every sec or so to keep from sulfating). Minder said it was good, hydromeder floats all the balls. Three four day's latter before using it down to 12V.

 

[jelag]

my best guess is that the batteries are now scrap... I've been in the HD end of things most of my life... I'm now retired and can't think of anything that will hold a battery without working it for that long... load test the battery... its should hold 3x's the ah rate or 1/2 the CCA for a 15 sec load test... during this load test the battery voltage shouldn't drop below 9. 6v... .

Now if it fails the above test... put a battery charger on the batteries set at 40 amps... let it run for 3 minutes. . don't change the charging rate... put a digital volt meter across the battery... if the voltage is over 15. 5 volts with the charger running the battery is scrap...

This is called a 3 minute charge test... its good on all lead acid batteries...

Hope this helps...

 

[MLee]

On one of thoses sites, Battery tender or the Battery minder, there was examples of bringing back a dead battery to life but it took a while and patients. Some batteries, like the 6 volts your supposed to discharge them heavy for the first times you use them. Supossedly this make them stronger and they take a better charge.

The Progressive Dynamic converters with the Charge wizard monitors the battery charge and through the Micro processor mantains your battery.

 

[Newt]

Nothing to do with the RV. Battery was never used. Went from the store to the Battery minder for storage. Took it off the minder (jolts battery 1 amp every sec or so to keep from sulfating). Minder said it was good, hydromeder floats all the balls. Three four day's latter before using it down to 12V.

Then, you don't know if they were any good to start with.

Newt

 

[BIGNASTY]

On one of thoses sites, Battery tender or the Battery minder, there was examples of bringing back a dead battery to life but it took a while and patients. Some batteries, like the 6 volts your supposed to discharge them heavy for the first times you use them. Supossedly this make them stronger and they take a better charge.
The Progressive Dynamic converters with the Charge wizard monitors the battery charge and through the Micro processor mantains your battery.

MLee

You could be right about the 6V batts in an RV I have no idea other than what I was told but to deeply discharge and recharge is hard on Batts. On our Solar batts the gen set automatically kicks on at a pre set discharge above half of battery charge just for that reason. If the batteries cycle TO DEEPLEY to many times it will reduce the battery life allot. Seems to work our system has been in operation for 3 years full time use and no battery problems but I do check them every week to make sure that they are in good shape.

 

[Road Dog]

A good lead acid battery will self-discharge around 1% per month. The only way to test a battery is to load test it. Most auto supply or battery shops will test it for free. Lead acid batteries degrade if they're not kept fully charged (by sulfation or sulfur buildup on the plates). Build quality matters too. Some batteries fail even if you do everything right.