Table of Contents
Advertisement
Deep cycle batteries differ in size; the higher
the amp/hour capacity the larger the battery
is. Before purchase, measure your battery
tray to determine which size battery fits. Only
purchase multiple deep cycle batteries of the
same Group (for example, do not mix Group
24 and Group 27 batteries).
Dry camping
Consider the charge condition of the auxiliary
battery when dry camping. If the auxiliary
battery is not being recharged and power is
being drawn from it, it will eventually
discharge. A battery will discharge at a faster
rate as its energy level becomes depleted. It
is recommended you plan your electrical
usage accordingly. For accuracy, test the
auxiliary battery voltage using a volt-ohm
meter (customer supplied).
A fully charged deep cycle, lead acid battery
will read 12.7 volts DC and 1.265 specific
gravity at 80°F (32°C). The auxiliary battery is
considered discharged at 11.8 volts DC by
electronic standards; when voltage drops
below those levels, permanent damage may
occur.
Typically, a deep cycle battery has an amp-
hour rating of 75-100 amps. If you run the
furnace and refrigerator simultaneously, you
will be using approximately (12.0 + 3.0) 15.0
amps per hour. This does not include any 12-
volt lights, the water pump or any other 12-
volt component. In addition, if the furnace and
refrigerator
in
our
constantly, a 75 amp-hour battery would
become fully discharged in 5 hours (75ah /
15a = 5h).
The auxiliary battery should be installed in
parallel with the battery in your tow vehicle.
When the 7-way trailer plug is connected,
both batteries power the RV so it is important
not to discharge your tow vehicle battery
below the level required to start the engine.
To prevent this from occurring, disconnect the
7-way trailer plug, or purchase and install a
solid-state battery isolator to the tow vehicle's
starting system. When the tow vehicle engine
is operating with the RV connected, the tow
example
operated
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM – 50 amp
vehicle charging system will charge both
batteries.
Maintenance
The life of a battery is determined by a
number of factors, with the most important
being proper maintenance. Amount of use,
proper charging and climate are other
elements that also need to be considered. A
battery that is stored for prolonged periods of
time without use or recharging can develop
sulfation on the plates which will greatly
reduce the time a battery will perform.
Some equipment in your RV will draw small
amounts of current even when turned OFF.
To prevent the auxiliary battery from being
discharged when your RV is not connected to
shore line power, shut off the 12-volt battery
disconnect
switch
negative cable at the auxiliary battery.
During storage, it is important to check the
auxiliary battery voltage monthly and recharge
the battery(s) as needed. If you remove the
auxiliary battery from your RV, store it in a
dry, cool area (not next to a furnace or other
heat
source)
according
manufacturer's instructions. The battery's
state of charge can be tested using a
hydrometer or a voltmeter. A hydrometer will
determine
the
specific
electrolyte in each cell, while a volt-ohm-
meter will give you a voltage reading.
Do not use a fast boost charger; a slow
charge is best for a deep cycle battery.
Replacement
When it is time to replace the auxiliary battery,
replace it with an identically sized deep cycle
battery only. Do not reverse the positive and
negative battery cables; in addition to other
potential damage, doing so will blow the
reverse polarity fuses that protect your RV
converter. Contact the battery manufacturer
for further safety information.
SECTION 3
and
disconnect
the
to
the
battery
gravity
of
the
23
Advertisement
Table of Contents
