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Rugger · 12-22-2012, 06:58 PM

On a cross country trip this past summer I noticed that as the sun rose in the morning I heard a clicking noise until the sun rose completely. The clicking sounded similar to (or was) the battery storage switch. Now my batteries are completely drained and my battery storage switch refuses to switch to "storage". My Airstream is stored indoors and receives no sun light to power the solar panels. I do have a trickle charger hooked up to the batteries, but they apparently cant keep pace with the power drain. Where do I start to look for the problem?

RUMSHIP · 12-22-2012, 07:50 PM

How old are the battery's ?

dwightdi · 12-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Recharge the batteries and install an amp meter from the batteries to the rest of the trailer and then disconnect the fuses one at a time to find where the current is going. It might be within the charging system or any one of the many circuits within the trailer or solar system.

Aage · 12-22-2012, 08:32 PM

What 120VAC to 12VDC converter do you have? The right one will take care of your batteries and allow them to last many years.

The wrong one will kill them a lot quicker (and I don't think I would use a trickle charger).

RUMSHIP · 12-22-2012, 08:33 PM

Not everyone is an electrician who have meters for such. Start easy, how old are the battery's. if they are the original and such are 4 years old, they may be toast and no longer be able to hold a charge.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 12-22-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUMSHIP

How old are the battery's ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUMSHIP

Not everyone is an electrician who have meters for such. Start easy, how old are the battery's. if they are the original and such are 4 years old, they may be toast and no longer be able to hold a charge.

Hi, my trailer is about eight years old and my batteries usually last about three years. I think you need new batteries.

Wazbro · 12-22-2012, 09:54 PM

I agree if your batteries are original they are toast wait till you are going to use the trailer to replace them.

I would prefer a float charger to a trickle charger but to use either one it would be best to disconnect the batteries and use 1 charger on each battery.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-23-2012, 06:56 AM

You can probably forget the "clicking", think of it.......the AS is snoring as the sun warms the skin. Our 63 did it and so does the Classic.

As noted....start with new batteries.

Our choices, (other's will differ), Lifeline grp27 AGM batts, Iota 55a DLS IQ4 three stage converter, Vector 1093a Smart charger if/when out for Winter storage.

Bob

polarlyse · 12-23-2012, 10:53 AM

For several years I removed the batteries for winter storage. Charged them up at home and kept them on a battery tender ( less amperage than a trickle charger for long term maintenance ). More recently we have hit the road in Feb. to head south for awhile so I've left the batteries in and with a multi stage convertor keep it plugged in. So far all's well but I did get new batteries when on the road last summer. So we'll see

Rugger · 12-23-2012, 11:59 AM

Batteries are the original ones, now almost 5 years old

Rugger · 12-23-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUMSHIP

Not everyone is an electrician who have meters for such. Start easy, how old are the battery's. if they are the original and such are 4 years old, they may be toast and no longer be able to hold a charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

You can probably forget the "clicking", think of it.......the AS is snoring as the sun warms the skin. Our 63 did it and so does the Classic.

As noted....start with new batteries.

Our choices, (other's will differ), Lifeline grp27 AGM batts, Iota 55a DLS IQ4 three stage converter, Vector 1093a Smart charger if/when out for Winter storage.

Bob

The clicking comes from under the front sofa, and is certainly is a switch of some sort, not the skin expanding or contracting. I will start with new batteries as these are now almost 5 years old.

Rugger · 12-23-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarlyse

For several years I removed the batteries for winter storage. Charged them up at home and kept them on a battery tender ( less amperage than a trickle charger for long term maintenance ). More recently we have hit the road in Feb. to head south for awhile so I've left the batteries in and with a multi stage convertor keep it plugged in. So far all's well but I did get new batteries when on the road last summer. So we'll see

thanks! Ive been using a battery tender charger that switched to "de-sulfate"the batteries after a while. Its worked well for several winters now, but it may not provide enough of a charge for two batteries. Meanwhile, I'll get new batteries.