House battery is dead on roadtrek

[nadine]

1992--ok I am a newbee ----can not say why as I never used anything in the rv---but could not turn on the pump.  The house battery was dead, plugged into electric and I was able to turn on the pump.

This was a brand new battery.  Why did it go bad?  Do I have to install a shut off switch to turn off that battery when not in use---which is alot.

Thank you for any tips/tricks/ideas/suggestions

 

[Trebor English]

Even disconnected, just sitting unused, it will go bad.  They last longer than lettuce or carrots but they are perishable.  How long ago was it new?  A battery maintainer is a little bitty charger that replaces the internal self discharge.  In many installations there is an external load that is there even when everything appears to be off.  A disconnect can fix that.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I hate to say it Nadine, but the most obvious is cause is human error. Leaving a single light on for a few days will kill the battery, and that mistake is very simple to make.

Otherwise, as Trebor suggested, leaving a battery - even with no draw at all - for a month or two will cause it to discharge naturally. A small 10-30 watt solar panel & charger controller will remedy that, or the battery maintainer. Both are quite cheap to come by.

Most batteries have warranties. If it is not too old, bring it in to the place you purchased for a replacement or at least a discount off a new one.

 

[nadine]

Even disconnected, just sitting unused, it will go bad.  They last longer than lettuce or carrots but they are perishable.  How long ago was it new?  A battery maintainer is a little bitty charger that replaces the internal self discharge.  In many installations there is an external load that is there even when everything appears to be off.  A disconnect can fix that.

Thank you, I did not know that.  The only thing that I used was the toilet, but by that time the battery was dead.  So right now I need a new battery and a disconnect switch for that battery.

 

[nadine]

I hate to say it Nadine, but the most obvious is cause is human error. Leaving a single light on for a few days will kill the battery, and that mistake is very simple to make.

Otherwise, as Trebor suggested, leaving a battery - even with no draw at all - for a month or two will cause it to discharge naturally. A small 10-30 watt solar panel & charger controller will remedy that, or the battery maintainer. Both are quite cheap to come by.

Most batteries have warranties. If it is not too old, bring it in to the place you purchased for a replacement or at least a discount off a new one.

Thank you, as the roadtrek is not used  - what is the better option the solar panel & charger controller or the shut off switch.  The prior owner is not calling me back and I do not know where they purchased the battery.  Because I have not used only took a 2 day trip this past weekend as a test.  I need to fix everything before I attempt another small trip.

 

[Trebor English]

what is the better option the solar panel & charger controller or the shut off switch.  

Is there a plug in where the Roadtrek is parked?  An always powered charger could make up for an always on load.  

A solar battery maintainer and a disconnect switch together would work.  

Rather than a disconnect switch determining if there is a phantom load and correcting it if there is one would work.  However, a disconnect switch would continue to eliminate phantom or accidental loads in the future.

 

[nadine]

Is there a plug in where the Roadtrek is parked?  An always powered charger could make up for an always on load.  

A solar battery maintainer and a disconnect switch together would work.  

Rather than a disconnect switch determining if there is a phantom load and correcting it if there is one would work.  However, a disconnect switch would continue to eliminate phantom or accidental loads in the future.

 

[nadine]

No plug and actually I did not expect to plug in until I truly feel like I know what I am doing.  I do not have electric  to plug in.

When I brought it to have something else fixed they plugged it in and I was able to flush the toilet.

 

[Katherine]

Thank you, I did not know that.  The only thing that I used was the toilet, but by that time the battery was dead.  So right now I need a new battery and a disconnect switch for that battery.

I cannot imagine why the new batteries dead and deeply doubt about the quality. Actually we have also came across this situation before, at first we tried to contact with the supplier but with no reply. Finally we changed them into the LiFePO4 batteries, because one of my friends has told me that it can last for 7-8 years. And now it still works. 

 

[Nelda]

I suggest you join the various Roadtrek groups on Facebook. There is a wealth of information there.

 

[B and C]

Your Roadtrek should already have a battery disconnect switch in the main living area. It is on a panel where the tank levels are shown and where you turn the water pump on and off. Three switches total.

Hopefully your Roadtrek came with an owners manual. Rare for these to not be included in the sale. It will tell you where everything is and how it works.

Do not leave both tank dump valves open when parked and connected to a sewer. The black tank needs to be at least 2/3 full before emptying. Use the grey water tank contents to flush the hose.

If no manual, please find someone who has an RV that can walk you through how to use what.