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Old 12-10-2008, 08:06 PM   #1
David and Teresa
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Default Battery Equalization Question

Well, this is my first official post asking for help. My house batteries don't seem to be holding a charge for very long. I checked fluid levels this morning, added distilled water in a few cells, checked all the connections. I found a loose connection on one cable. After everything was checked and tightened, I started the Equalization. The yellow 'bulk' lights started flashing, just as the manual said. After a few minutes the system switched back to Auto, as it should when equalization is complete. This should take an hour or two, right? What am I doing wrong?

I'm running 6 Exide 8D house batteries with 2 Trace inverters.

David
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Old 12-10-2008, 08:13 PM   #2
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I would try to charge them with the normal cycle and then equalize. I seem to remember my manual saying not to try to equalize low batts. The other possibility is that one of your batts has a dead cell. That would explain not holding a charge and the aborted equalization cycle
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Old 12-10-2008, 08:19 PM   #3
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So I guess a load test on each battery is needed?

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Old 12-10-2008, 09:55 PM   #4
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Well that's one way and the surest way is to load test each battery.

You could also check the hydrometer readings in each cell after charging, that's another way.

Or you could charge them all up, then disconnect all of them from each other so there is no current drain and no connection between the batteries. Check the charge level in a few days. You might ID your bad one that way.
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Old 12-10-2008, 09:58 PM   #5
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Thanks. I'll try that next.

David
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Old 12-10-2008, 09:58 PM   #6
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I reread your post. So you haven't got any data on how long they stay charged after tightening the loose connection?

Can you define "not holding a charge very long" . Is that with the disconnect switch on or off? There can be many parasitic loads on the house batts with them left in the on position but not using the coach.
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Old 12-10-2008, 10:02 PM   #7
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I'm talking about 15 minutes with just some of the 12v lights on. I haven't unplugged from the shore and tested since today's discoveries. I'll do that tomorrow.

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Old 12-11-2008, 12:41 PM   #8
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Whoa, 15 minutes with a few lights on is a BIG problem, then again, that's what you said to begin with, eh?

You have at least one completely dysfunctional battery. You should be able to find it by disconnecting the cables to isolate each battery.
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Old 12-11-2008, 02:55 PM   #9
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While the coach is plugged in put your hand on each battery to check to see if one is really hot, or much hotter than the others by comparison. Typically when one of my 8d batteries has gone bad (sulfating) it gets very hot when being charged, and the entire system discharges quickly. By disconnecting the offending battery the others begin charging normally again. This is a quick way of isolating a bad battery that is sulfating. If you just have a bad cell, or two, then Richard's suggestion will get you there....it will just take a little longer.
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Old 12-11-2008, 09:53 PM   #10
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Ok, I checked the temp on all the batteries while charging. They all were warm, none hot, and all seemed about the same. Then I unplugged the shore line and waited. With all the 12v lights and TV on I ran the coach for an hour. I ran out of daylight and plugged back in. So, maybe it was the loose connections and water. Does anyone know how long you should be able to power the coach like this? Anyway, thanks everyone. One problem solved. Next, the AquaHot!

David
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