RV batteries are discharging to quickly.

[dennis647@aol.com]

I bought a new Thor Windsport and my batteries seem to lose there charge quickly. They were dead when I looked at the coach and the dealer charged them to get the generator started.

I have made sure my battery disconnect is on and verified by making sure nothing in the coach works. I am not connected to shore power. In a 3 day time frame my multi meter said the voltage went from 12.79, after charging it with the generator for 1hour, 3 days ago, to 10.45. Is that normal? I think the batteries were bad from sitting on the lot. How fast should I lose voltage when it is not in use and battery disconnect is on. This seems to fast.

[knucklehead]

I'd have to guess that the engine alternator is not charging the coach batteries. Should be a warranty matter! Let your dealer figure it out while it's on them...

[Bob Denman]

If you want to check your batteries out a bit further: charge them up fully with your generator, and then shut down everything... and physically disconnect a terminal!
That way: there'll be no parasitic losses.
Give it s three day test; you already have an idea of how low they can get in that time-frame.
Good luck!

[TurnerFam]

even with the coach in ‘store’ switch position, there are still draws on the House batteries... your situation is not caused by ‘bad’ batteries. You will need to either add a solar power panel when stored, have the coach plugged into even a regular household outlet, or completely physically disconnect the batteries.

[16ACE27]

12.79 was artificially high; 12.6 VDC is a fully charged 12 volt lead acid battery.

10.45 VDC is a dead 12 volt battery or a fully charged 10 volt battery (i.e., a 12 volt battery with one dead cell).

Since it is standard practice to not keep up with batteries on a sales lot but just charge them when need to sell or view the coach, your batteries may have been bad when you drove off the lot. Get them charged/tested at your local auto parts place before you start troubleshooting other issues.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by dennis647@aol.com

after charging it with the generator for 1hour,

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If you want to check your batteries out a bit further: charge them up fully with your generator, and then shut down everything... and physically disconnect a terminal!
That way: there'll be no parasitic losses.
Give it s three day test; you already have an idea of how low they can get in that time-frame.
Good luck!

It takes a lot longer than 1 hour on the generator to fully charge dead batteries; at least 4 times that long.

[The Gritz Carlton]

You can buy one of these for less than $50. Charge batteries fully and load test them. It doesn't lie. Did you check water level in batteries...charging a dry battery will do no good.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-3181-Heav.../dp/B000O3U2UQ

[Bob Denman]

Gritz,
That looks like a pretty neat little gizmo: I'll have to pick one up when my golf cart gets here!

[dennis647@aol.com]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

You can buy one of these for less than $50. Charge batteries fully and load test them. It doesn't lie. Did you check water level in batteries...charging a dry battery will do no good.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-3181-Heav.../dp/B000O3U2UQ

I ordered one. That is just what I need. A way to tell if the battery is good or bad, not just the voltage level. Thanks for this.

[Lt Keefer]

Have you checked the water level in the batts?

[The Gritz Carlton]

Dennis...you will come to love it. I own so much motorized crap that batteries are always an issue. I use this all the time and it's the best tool to eliminate the batteries out front. It also tests the charging system. It only works accurately if the batteries are "FULLY CHARGED"...otherwise you will get bad readings. Caution: It gets very hot after use (normal)...make sure you place it carefully to cool off and let it cool a bit between batteries! Bob..you must have one of these!!!

[Bob Denman]

I'm on it!

[tinker3030]

Don't take it to Dixie RV, you will never get it fixed.