Similar question- what have we done?

[Jude]

Sue, we feel your pain.

We are getting ready for our next trip and just went out to our 2018 Spirit D. to get it ready.
No lights or fan.

How did the battery run down and how can we avoid this again?

Most importantly, how do we get it charged?
Once again, asking for you guys to save us.
Thanks.

[thrifty bill]

Batteries run down. How long has your trailer been in storage? If you are leaving your trailer on a storage lot, its better to pull the battery and keep it on a battery tender. I keep everything that has a battery and doesn't get daily use on the tender: Miata, motorcycle, riding mower.

On our Escape, its parked at home, and the battery is in the front storage box, so its really easy to just keep it on a tender.

[Mike Magee]

Plugging the Casita's electric cord into your house outlet (30A to 20A adapter may be needed) should allow the converter to recharge the battery. Or you can use a common automotive battery charger on the trailer's 12V battery, just attach the alligator clips onto the battery posts.


Not only do batteries discharge slowly all by themselves, they also can get bled dry by a light or water pump or fan left on, or by always-on, low-power items in the trailer you may not be consciously aware of... such as propane or carbon monoxide detectors. Or there could be an electrical short. Or maybe your battery is on its last legs and needs to be replaced; after a full charge and a rest period, check the voltage which should be around 12.8V on a fairly new battery but 12.2V or less on one that's about had it.


If your storage place has no electric hookup, you can dismount the battery and take it home with you so you can keep it on a battery minder (trickle charger) or give it a monthly recharge with some other type of charger (if you can remember!). Or to charge the battery on the stored trailer, you could get a solar panel and controller.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Jude

Sue, we feel your pain.

We are getting ready for our next trip and just went out to our 2018 Spirit D. to get it ready.
No lights or fan.

How did the battery run down and how can we avoid this again?

Most importantly, how do we get it charged?
Once again, asking for you guys to save us.
Thanks.

I stuck some suggestions on your "Camping in the Driveway" thread.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Plugging the Casita's electric cord into your house outlet (30A to 20A adapter may be needed) should allow the converter to recharge the battery. Or you can use a common automotive battery charger on the trailer's 12V battery, just attach the alligator clips onto the battery posts.


Not only do batteries discharge slowly all by themselves, they also can get bled dry by a light or water pump or fan left on, or by always-on, low-power items in the trailer you may not be consciously aware of... such as propane or carbon monoxide detectors. Or there could be an electrical short. Or maybe your battery is on its last legs and needs to be replaced; after a full charge and a rest period, check the voltage which should be around 12.8V on a fairly new battery but 12.2V or less on one that's about had it.


If your storage place has no electric hookup, you can dismount the battery and take it home with you so you can keep it on a battery minder (trickle charger) or give it a monthly recharge with some other type of charger (if you can remember!). Or to charge the battery on the stored trailer, you could get a solar panel and controller.

Thanks Kindly

[Jude]

Thank you kindly!

[Jude]

Thank you. We're on it! (Or so we think)

[Jude]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

Batteries run down. How long has your trailer been in storage? If you are leaving your trailer on a storage lot, its better to pull the battery and keep it on a battery tender. I keep everything that has a battery and doesn't get daily use on the tender: Miata, motorcycle, riding mower.

On our Escape, its parked at home, and the battery is in the front storage box, so its really easy to just keep it on a tender.

Our Casita has been sitting in the driveway for about 4 weeks.
We will try charging the battery.
Once we head out on Thursday, the TV should take care if it needs further charging - correct?

[Mary F]

How old is your battery?

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by Jude

Our Casita has been sitting in the driveway for about 4 weeks.
We will try charging the battery.
Once we head out on Thursday, the TV should take care if it needs further charging - correct?

Unless the battery was drained too far. Explained better on your other thread, RV batteries don’t tolerate being drained below 50%. Since it is so new hopefully you will be ok.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by Mary F

How old is your battery?

2 months old. 2018 Casita SD

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Jude

2 months old. 2018 Casita SD

Hey Jude...

Read this, especially the Care of Batteries section. And...

Remember to keep your battery charged,
Then you can start to make it better.

And anytime you feel the drain, hey Jude, refrain...
Don't let your battery get too discharged or get corroded.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Hey Jude...



Read this, especially the Care of Batteries section. And...



Remember to keep your battery charged,

Then you can start to make it better.



And anytime you feel the drain, hey Jude, refrain...

Don't let your battery get too discharged or get corroded.

Excellent-just watched James Corden & Paul M in karaoke carpool!
Thanks for the info and the laughs.

[Lynn Eberhardt]

I keep our '06 Scamp plugged in year round at home to keep the battery up. That way, even if you happen to leave a light on, you're OK. You can even leave your fridge on (mine has beer in it in the summer) so you're ready to go any time.

[Jude]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eberhardt

I keep our '06 Scamp plugged in year round at home to keep the battery up. That way, even if you happen to leave a light on, you're OK. You can even leave your fridge on (mine has beer in it in the summer) so you're ready to go any time.

Thank you! Good to know.

[Wayne Collins]

If it is easy to get at, you can simply disconnect the wire from the negative (-) post of the battery when in storage; to keep those parasitic loads away.
Why do batteries "self discharge"? Dirt and moisture on top will create a path for electrons to pass from one terminal to the other. So, keep the battery clean and dry.
Or, you can add a master disconnect switch.

[Kai in Seattle]

Gordon 2:

need more verses--well done!

Kai

[AD5SX]

Hi Jude,

Do you know if your 12V battery is a flooded battery or AGM battery?

Thanks and good luck,
Paul

[imacd]

I leave mine on a timeclock so it goes on once a day for an hour. Keeps the battery charged and runs a dehumidifier that keeps it fresh and dry.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I recommend getting an inexpensive battery monitor you can plug into the cigar plug on the trailer. remember to only 'trust' its reading when all loads are shut off...

trailer just sitting there, no solar, no AC charging going on, ideally 12.6V or so, if its 12.1V thats about as discharged as I like to let the battery get.

AC plugged in so the charger is running, while its actively charging, it coudl read as high as 14.4V or more, but once the battery is fully charged, the maintenance voltage should be around 13.2-13.6V... if it stays much above 13.6V for more than a full day, you have an old 'stupid' charger, and it should be unplugged for long term storage, maybe plugged in for 24 hours once a month.

I use this cheap one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVWDU0

it draws /very/ little current, so you can leave it plugged in pretty much all the time, or just plug it in when you want to take a reading.