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04-11-2021, 06:47 PM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Northwest Territories
Posts: 42
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Deep cycle battery issues
I have a 2015 Maple Country TT. Last year I noticed in the spring that my new battery(bought the previous May) would not charge. It had spent the winter in my house, so it never had a chance to freeze. It was replaced under warranty and the only visual sign that something was wrong was that the sides were sucked in. So, I got the new battery and it worked fine last summer,; however, we did not use the camper as much as usual due to Travel restrictions.
Yesterday, I took the battery out of storage to charge it up and noticed the sides of this one have started to bow in as well and it will not charge.
Has anyone experienced this before? I am wondering if there is something wrong with the charging system in the camper. I am not even sure where it is located.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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04-11-2021, 08:05 PM
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#2
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: GA
Posts: 274
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I gave up on the traditional 12v deep cycle battery years ago after replacing one after another yearly.
I went to dual 6v Golf Cart batteries and never looked back. Much better performance and they can take more abuse.
First thing I did when I bought my 2015 Sunset Trail this spring was to ditch the single 12v battery.
__________________
2015 Crossroads Sunset Trail Reserve ST33FR
2007 Ford F350 King Ranch Crew Cab LWB Dually w/ Bulletproofed 6.0 Powerstroke.
Currently located between Georgia and Insanity.
007matman AKA Matt
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04-12-2021, 05:58 AM
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#3
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New Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: MA
Posts: 5
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batterys
Hi I had a battery explode in the camper. It was 4 years old and when we got back from a trip the top of the battery was broken. It was a deep cell Interstate. Has any one else had this problem?
Don
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04-12-2021, 08:37 PM
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#4
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Northwest Territories
Posts: 42
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Do any of you leave your deep cycle on a battery maintainer over the winter?
__________________
Andrew
Maple Country 270BH
2009 Dodge RAM, Hemi
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04-12-2021, 09:02 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: mo
Posts: 2,093
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That's strange - i have seen batteries bowed out but not bowed in.
__________________
2009 Seville VF32KS
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Crew Cab Denali.
6.6 Diesel standard box.
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04-12-2021, 09:25 PM
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#6
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SK
Posts: 179
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I've seen bowed in at top. It means very hot and most likely dry. Happens from poor chargers that don't stop charging.
__________________
2014 29MK
Victron Energy inverter/charger, 1240w solar
550ah LifePo4, Microair Easy Start,RVLocks (keyless)
Airborne Elite Sidewinder pin, Maxx air 7500 Fan
2015 GMC LTZ,6.2 Gas, Short Box, Firestone F3 air ride.
Bilstein Shocks
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04-13-2021, 06:34 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akaustin
Do any of you leave your deep cycle on a battery maintainer over the winter?
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I have been using a battery minder for quite a few years now. In fact I have 3 of them that are used in different applications.
When I put the camper away for the winter, I hook the battery minder up to the two 6V deep cycle batteries. They have always been good in the spring.
No more dragging them out and storing in the garage, and no more worry about freezing and breaking either.
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04-13-2021, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 315
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Also hooked up all winter with no problems in the spring.
__________________
Retired U.S. Navy Engineer
2020 Ram 2500 Bighorn 6.7 Diesel
2014 Zinger 27RL (Traded)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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04-13-2021, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 391
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akaustin, you should check your charging system.
I think that every RV owner should have a multimeter, and learn how to use it to check and troubleshoot the electrical systems in their RV.
Get a voltmeter, and check your battery, unloaded and disconnected. You should have well over 12 volts, charged.
Connect it to your RV, and when connected, the converter should be charging or maintaining it. Across the battery terminals, you should get over 13 volts. If you have a bad battery, these voltages will differ.
Your RV should have a 3 step convertor. I would find the model and get the manual. I have a 2015 with a WFCO 8955, and the manual is available on the web site, and it is a nice manual.
I would check the convertor with a known good battery. A battery that is caved in can mean it has been cooked by an overcharge, or low/dry cells. When fully charged, your 3 step convertor should be in 'float or maintenance mode', charging at about 13.2 volts.
I am among those that have gone to 2) 6 volts GC2 golf cart type batteries. They are 105aH each, in series, 210aH. Over triple the amps of the typical deep cycle, and they work flawlessly. Costco, less than $100 each. I even found a nice battery box that fits in the original battery area behind the LP tanks.
I live in Minnesota, we saw 25 below a few days this winter, and my batteries do just fine left on the camper, with my RV plugged in. I look at the water once every 6-8 weeks. as long as I'm not discharging the batteries, they never need water (I still check).
__________________
Doug and Patience and Shelby the mutt
2015 Crossroads Sunset Trail Reserve ST26RB
2013 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost XLT Supercab 4x4
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03-27-2022, 09:54 PM
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#10
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Northwest Territories
Posts: 42
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Are the 6 volt gold batteries deep cycle as well?
__________________
Andrew
Maple Country 270BH
2009 Dodge RAM, Hemi
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03-27-2022, 10:44 PM
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#11
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 391
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akaustin
Are the 6 volt gold batteries deep cycle as well?
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I assume that you meant 6 volt golf cart batteries. They are lead acid, and yes, they are considered one of the true deep cycle batteries. They are designed for repeated discharge and charge cycles. Unlike a 'marine' type battery, which is a multi-purpose battery.
These days, the lithium batteries are becoming more affordable, and have many advantages over lead acid batteries.
__________________
Doug and Patience and Shelby the mutt
2015 Crossroads Sunset Trail Reserve ST26RB
2013 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost XLT Supercab 4x4
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03-28-2022, 01:12 PM
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#12
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,406
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The original post was made in April of 2021.
__________________
*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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03-28-2022, 02:36 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,151
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Yes, that is correct, but, the OP posted again with a follow up post.
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