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Topic: Recurring engine battery problems (Read 17 times) previous topic - next topic
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Recurring engine battery problems
Yahoo Message Number: 158180
Since last April when we left the rig for a week to visit family,  we have had problems with the battery going flat when the rig was left unused.  We decided the problem was the radio being left turned on.   In Sept we bought a new battery. We had been steadily traveling,  driving for 2-4 days then resting 1-3 days.  After the new battery was installed we continued our previous pattern until the middle of November where we settled to winter.  In December we needed to fill up with propane but had no problems.   In early January we decided arbitrarily to start the rig,  knowing we would be gone for 12 days in the middle of Jan.  The rig would not turn over.  We brought the newly purchased battery in to a garage and was told we had a dead cell in the battery.  We then took the battery back to Ford who replaced it after doing a fairly significant amount of troubleshooting.  Now back from our trip and we find the new battery is dead.
 The only link we know to check is that the guy who repaired our xm radio in April had some difficulty with the wiring.  We had no problems with the radio but wonder if that could be part of the problem.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Not sure which way to jump on this.  Also, the radio was Not left on during our absence.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Sandy KalleAnka Vt
Re: Recurring engine battery problems
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158198
I doubt that the 3rd battery would be bad ... that might be just too much bad battery luck.  So either something is draining the battery or it's not adequately charged by the alternator.   A place like Sears automotive will check your battery and also check the output from the alternator or little or no cost.  If the alternator is working and the 3rd battery is okay, then Joan's suggestion would be next on my problem-solving list.

Btw, we keep a trickle charge on the truck's battery, which is plugged into the outside of the coach with an extension cord.  We have 15 amp service in our storage.

Hope this helps.

Ed & Margee Fort Worth
Re: Recurring engine battery problems
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158202
Until you find the source of the battery drain, disconnect one of the starting battery's cable when the LD is too be parked for a few days.
Draining batteries until they are 'dead' damages them, even if they recharge and seem to be OK afterwards.

If you have a multimeter and know how to use it, here is a way to help track down the problem.
Disconnect one of the starting battery cables and, with everything turned off and doors shut (interior lights), measure the amperage between the removed battery cable end and the battery terminal. It should show a few milliamps, due to the computer's memory.  Anything much over 50-ma is a problem.
While the multimeter is set to measure the amperage flow, start pulling the chassis fuses, one by one, replacing them as you go.
Keep an eye on the multimeter, you should find one fuse that, when remove, shuts off the excess amperage flow. That is the circuit to investigate, checking the devices it powers and the circuit's wiring as well.

Sounds simple but this is a process that sometimes take experience techs hours, sometime days, to track down.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze