12 Volt problem

[Bettye]

We have a 1984 31' Excella. Yesterday our refrigerator started going off intermittently. We kept turning the switch off then on again, but it wouldn't stay on long. Then we noticed the sound system was not working. Took the batteries out and checked with a voltage meter. One of them was not producing sufficiently. Removed battery and replaced with another smaller battery because that was all we had at the campsite. Everything came back on. Thought the problem was solved. This morning, everything 12 volt is dead. Does that sound like the converter? Any suggestions?

[Bettye]

Nevermind. Problem solved. Cost us $50.00 to have someone discover that we accidently flipped a switch that turned off the 12 system. Live and learn.

[Bill M.]

You are not the only one that has found that switch by accident. Been there, done that.

[HowieE]

If you now have 2 dissimilar sized and aged batteries in there you will soon develop the same condition again. One battery will draw against the other and pull itself down. I would remove the small battery and just work off one till you can replace both. Yes BOTH because batteries have to be balanced.