New Batteries Won't hold charge

[Relentless]

2007 Safari FB SE with less than 500 miles. The batteries will charge but will be flat within 24 hours. Everything in the trailer is turned off. Battery disconnect is off. When I turn the disconnect switch to off the light "pulses" for a few seconds and than fades out.

Status light for batteries is green when I stop charging. Water is OK.

Any ideas?

Thanks;

John

[Excella CM]

Do a simple test. When batteries show full charge, physically disconnect both of them from the trailer electrical and each other. Wait and test them separately.

[silverback]

John,
First, Excella CM is right. Physically disconnect the batteries. You could have a short that could damage your trailer(not to mention the batteries). Have you called your AS dealer? If yes, what does your AS dealer say? You could also call the factory. I would disconnect the batteries and tow it to the dealers shop.
-Ken

[TIMEMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Relentless

2007 Safari FB SE with less than 500 miles. The batteries will charge but will be flat within 24 hours. Everything in the trailer is turned off. Battery disconnect is off. When I turn the disconnect switch to off the light "pulses" for a few seconds and than fades out.

Status light for batteries is green when I stop charging. Water is OK.

Any ideas?

Thanks;

John

Let me guess, you have MegaTron batteries? I have the exact same situation...won't even keep my furnace or refer working on gas overnight because of low or no voltage to the electonics in the appliances.

I am taking it in for exchange under warranty.

Time

[TitusLivy]

I've also had trouble with the batteries on my new trailer, and I suspect that's because the dealer didn't maintain them properly while the trailer was in inventory. I've heard it said that some dealers routinely let the batteries become fully discharged (not good), and in some areas of the country, the batteries then bake in the hot sun (even worse). As a result of this abuse, the batteries are unable to hold a full charge.

Here's a link that explains how to test batteries: Test a battery - Education. Many similar links can be found on the internet, so you won't have trouble finding guidance. The key recommendation is to "fully charge" your batteries (you can use your trailer's status monitor for that), and then to use a hydrometer to check the batteries' specific gravity.

Like me, you'll probably find that even when the battery is "charged" (as measured by the voltage across its terminals), its specific gravity is in the "discharged" range. Proof positive that the batteries are totally shot.

The best solution...really, the only effective one, I'm told...is to replace the batteries and then to maintain the new ones conscientiously.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Titus

[Relentless]

Thanks, everyone. I'm on my way to disconnect and then take it to someone who knows what they are doing for testing and, probably, replacement.

This unit was just built in March of this year and shipped directly to the dealer in Oregon. I picked it up 2 days after it arrived there. Can't blame the dealer on this one.

John

[Relentless]

Well, well! I started to disconnect the batteries and noticed the wire from the electric hoist. I traced it from the battery to the hoist and found that, when I took off and then replaced the cover to the propane tanks I pinched this wire to the extent that one strand of bare wire poked thru and was touching the metal cover.

I will now try to charge the batteries and see if I have completely ruined them. Why do I always learn things the hard way?

John

[silverback]

John,
Good troubleshooting work! Many folks have the squashed tongue jack wires under the propane tank cover problem including me. I padded the wires with foam packing material. Maybe I should do more before they get cut.
-KL

[Relentless]

I don't think you will cut the wire if you're careful, which I, obviously, was not. If you don't screw the tank cover down really really tight and check to make sure you can move the wire in and out a little after the tank is secured, you should be OK.

[thecatsandi]

I noticed that and wrapped those wires in sprial wrap. Available from ost Auto parts stores.