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jato
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3227
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Topic: Battery Issue Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 12:16pm |
What did you find out, was one of the cells really low or was a load test given and just shown the battery to have failed the test?
With proper maintenance batteries can last quite a long time. I have a pair of group size 24 Interstates that were built 12/2010 and 3/2011 and get used a lot - we usually boondock. Big thing for us is not to draw down below 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v before charging again as well as keeping an eye on electrolyte levels and fill with distilled water when getting low.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Ben Herman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
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Posts: 355
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Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 12:10pm |
Battery was toast, picked up a new one and should be good to go. Thanks all for your help.
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Ben Herman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 355
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Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 10:53am |
I disconnected shore power then used the battery to open the slider, voltage immediately dropped to 10 or less. So I've pulled the battery and will take it for a load test. I did this before seeing your most recent message, thanks for responding so quickly!
I got my dates mixed up, this battery actually was put into service in 2016 so its not inconceivable that it would be gasping for breath...
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 10:49am |
13.7 means your converter is working. Leave the battery disconnected for a couple hours so there’s no stray load on it then check the voltage again.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Ben Herman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
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Posts: 355
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Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 9:23am |
Offgrid, on shore power the battery reads 13.7 V. I just pulled the shore power, I'll see what the battery reads in a few hours. Its not hard to pull the battery so I'll take it down for a load test and see if that's the problem.
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 6:46am |
If you were on shore power for 4 days and your 12v stuff was fine then the converter (it’s not an inverter, which changes dc to ac) is probably ok. Doesn’t hurt to remove the battery and see if it will run the 12v loads without it though. What is the battery voltage while on shore power?
I agree with podwerkz, sounds like a shorted battery cell, each cell is providing about 2V so one being shorted would bring you down from around 12 to 10V. Very common failure mode. Either have someone load test it or if that’s not convenient put it on your charger. Voltage should go up to 13.5 or a bit higher. Leave it for a couple of days and then disconnect the charger. If it drops back to around 10V after a couple of hours the battery is toast.
If the charger won’t take it up to 13.5 or higher that could also indicate a bad cell but it could be the charger too. Try the charger on another battery to be sure it actually works. What current (amp) rating does it have?
Sometimes it happens, a typical deep cycle battery lifetime is around 5 years, but they can fail sooner. You might had a little prorated warranty left on it you could recover.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Ben Herman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 355
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Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:27pm |
Not sure podwerks - its a pretty inexpensive Harbor Freight unit, so I don't think its old school but probably not top tier either. I'm thinking that I'll pull the battery and see if shore power will run the 12v stuff in the trailer. If it wont power it, then I'm thinking it is probably the power converter. But I'm no 12v electrical genius, so I will have the battery tested also.
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podwerkz
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Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
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Posts: 966
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Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:23pm |
Initial thought is that you may have a shorted cell in the battery.
Was your 'trickle charger' an old school trickle charger or was it a modern 'smart charger' or maintenance charger?
I would take the battery to an auto parts store and have them load test it.
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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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Ben Herman
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 355
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Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:08pm |
Thx Jato this is helpful and a good start. I will check tomorrow and see if I hear any fan noise from the inverter. Is that the only litmus test to see if a unit is working?
I have a battery tester around somewhere and will see if the cells are all testing ok.
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jato
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3227
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Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 8:15pm |
Do you hear the fan on the converter running when plugged into shore power? If not I would suspect the converter may be toast. Also, check the plug going into the emergency brake box located on your a-frame. If that has pulled out it will draw your battery down rather quickly.
Are you able to individually check the specific gravity of each cell? That would also be a good indicator as to whether it is a battery or trailer issue.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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