Motor home deep cycle battery problem?

Question

We have a 2005 Itasca Spirit that has two deep cycle batteries that don't seem to hold a charge. I have read somewhere that a deep cycle battery should last 1 day for every cycle and our batteries will not go a full 8 hours without having to be recharged with the generator. When we run them overnight the only thing drawing power off them is the refrigerator. It appears that the battery is sealed, so no water can be added to it. Since we bought the coach new and have always had this problem with the battery I tend to think that before we bought it the battery was allowed to fully discharge too often and then was not recharged properly, and of course the manufacturer's warranty does not cover batteries!
I am curious how long other RVers dry camp using only their batteries or if you need to recharge with the generator on a daily basis? Am I expecting more than is realistic with this type of setup? What can I do differently with the new batteries we are going to purchase? Thanks!

Answer 1

i have worked on an itasca before they usually hold a charge for about ten to 12 hours at the most without using the generator,they were only meant to be a part time power source,any of them will drain in 8-10 hours,your supposed to use the generator if your running the fridge or any major appliances in it,even the best of battery's will go dead in 12 hours,though the best thing you can do is only use battery power when needed,good luck on it.

Answer 2

The lifespan of a battery will vary considerably with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged, temperature, and other factors. In extreme cases, it can vary to extremes - we have seen L-16's killed in less than a year by severe overcharging, and we have a large set of surplus telephone batteries that sees only occasional (5-10 times per year) heavy service that are now over 25 years old. We have seen gelled cells destroyed in one day when overcharged with a large automotive charger. We have seen golf cart batteries destroyed without ever being used in less than a year because they were left sitting in a hot garage without being charged. Even the so-called "dry charged" (where you add acid when you need them) have a shelf life of at most 18 months, as they are not totally dry (actually, a few are, but hard to find, the vast majority are shipped with damp plates).

These are some general (minimum - maximum) typical expectations for batteries if used in deep cycle service:

Starting: 3-12 months
Marine: 1-6 years
Golf cart: 2-6 years
AGM deep cycle: 4-7 years (this can vary considerably - the large 2 volt cells can last for 20+)
Gelled deep cycle: 2-5 years
Deep cycle (L-16 type etc): 4-8 years
Rolls-Surrette premium deep cycle: 7-15 years
Industrial deep cycle (Crown and Rolls 4KS series): 10-20+ years
Telephone (used) (float): 1-20 years. These are usually special purpose "float service", but often appear on the surplus market as "deep cycle". They can vary considerably, depending on age, usage, care, and type.
NiFe (alkaline): 5-35 years
NiCad: 1-20 years

Answer 3

It would help to put an ammeter in the circuit to see what the draw is when you're running off the batteries. Perhaps there are more 12V items running than you know of, maybe smoke/gas detectors &/or furnace t-stat & fan. Deep cycle batteries are intended to go dead then recharge, but if 1 of the 2 is bad it will pull the good unit down. You are correct, you should be able to go at least 8 hours on battery.

Former Battery Co. Rep. & RV Tech

Answer 4

Depending on the climate batteries last from 2.5 to 5 years on average. In hot climates they last the least, in cold the most. You have got about 2 years, which is not fantastically good.

Have the charging circuits built into the vehicle checked. It could be that they are not putting out quite enough to fully charge the d/c batteries and run everything else as well, while you are driving the vehicle.

If you are only driving the vehicle for short distances every day, that could be the problem, as there is not sufficient time to charge the batteries.

Answer 5

i have worked on an itasca before they usually hold a charge for about ten to 12 hours at the most without using the generator,they were only meant to be a part time power source,any of them will drain in 8-10 hours,your supposed to use the generator if your running the fridge or any major appliances in it,even the best of battery's will go dead in 12 hours,though the best thing you can do is only use battery power when needed,good luck on it.

Answer 6

Your deep cycle batteries are probably shot.

If lead acid batteries are left uncharged for lengthy periods, they deteriorate. This is because the sulphuric acid electrolyte attacks the electrode plates and forms the compound lead sulphate as the battery self-discharges. This is unfortunate for two reasons: first, lead sulphate is an insulator and thus prevents current flowing between the plates, and second, the acid becomes weaker and is thus prone to freezing in cold conditions. This frequently splits the hard rubber casing of the battery rendering it useless.

To keep these batteries in good condition, they should not sit uncharged for more than six months.

Answer 7

first off, remove the batteries from the rig, charge them fully, then take them into an auto parts store like auto zone etc to be tested. It may not be the batteries. If it is, replace them. if not, you may have a bad alternator or a dirty connection which is keeping them from being fully recharged. If they check ok, your gonna have to have a mechanic check the system to find the problem.