Battery/electrical issues

**Paknut61** · 11-29-2020, 07:33 PM

Hi All, We could really use some help!! We have a 2019 Solitude, purchased in October 2018. Outside of the first month we had it, we have had major issues keeping the battery charged. We are on our fourth battery since purchasing this RV. We replaced this last battery 2 months ago and kept it plugged in until we made this trip we are currently on. The problem is the battery won’t hold a charge. It does fine for a couple days and then suddenly we start getting low voltage signals. We have been plugged into a 50 amp the entire time we’ve been here at our campsite (since last night) and now we have nothing. We plugged a jumper charger into the battery and that has now run dead but never got us over about 11.4 amps. The converter fuses appear to be good but could it be the converter?! We are so frustrated and don’t know what to do!! We’re traveling with our dog and cat which limits us with respect to being able to just check into a hotel. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

**jkwilson** · 11-29-2020, 08:46 PM

Sounds like your converter isn’t doing the job. Fuses, breaker, wiring all could cause it. Do you hear the converter fan?

**SolarPoweredRV** · 11-29-2020, 09:35 PM

You need a Volt Meter to check your voltages.

Have you checked the water level in your battery? Constantly charging a battery can "boil off" the water inside the cells (only use distilled water to fill your battery).

You don't say which Solitude you have, but We had a similar problem with our 310GK, the electrical demands from these campers is too much for a single 12v battery. At the very least I would have a pair of 6v, Deep Cycle batteries and I would install a battery disconnect right at the battery to prevent any "phantom" drain.

With you having the rig plugged in, I am guessing that your Converter is not doing it's job, either it is flat out broken, or it is not producing the correct voltage to fully charge your battery. Consequently, everyday on your trip, your battery voltage has gotten lower and lower till now your battery is totally dead.

Once you fix your current issue, I would recommend installing a pair of Lithium batteries (if your pocketbook allows) and a voltage gauge to avoid future problems.

Lead Acid batteries are weird, you would think keeping them plugged in would be good for them, in reality, keeping them constantly charged can be just as bad for them as letting them go completely dead. If you want to keep your batteries always charged, you need a maintenance type charger like a "Battery Tender" that is designed to maintain a battery's charge, your Converter is not designed to maintain the health of your battery(ies).

**powerscol** · 11-29-2020, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Paknut61

Hi All, We could really use some help!! We have a 2019 Solitude, purchased in October 2018. Outside of the first month we had it, we have had major issues keeping the battery charged. We are on our fourth battery since purchasing this RV. We replaced this last battery 2 months ago and kept it plugged in until we made this trip we are currently on. The problem is the battery won’t hold a charge. It does fine for a couple days and then suddenly we start getting low voltage signals. We have been plugged into a 50 amp the entire time we’ve been here at our campsite (since last night) and now we have nothing. We plugged a jumper charger into the battery and that has now run dead but never got us over about 11.4 amps. The converter fuses appear to be good but could it be the converter?! We are so frustrated and don’t know what to do!! We’re traveling with our dog and cat which limits us with respect to being able to just check into a hotel. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Is you battery disconnect switch in the ON position (key cannot be removed). You battery will only charge in the on position, otherwise there are parasitic poser drains from sensors etc.. To completely isolate your battery for storage and times trailer is not used is to disconnect the positive cable. Otherwise leave the disconnect switch in the ON position all the time.
Hope this helps