mikeleblanc413
Sour Lake, Texas
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RE: 2000 Winnebago Winnie, V10
I recently had the propane tank filled for the first time (we bought in December) and found out there is a gauge on the tank and the tank gauge was showing much more than on the panel above the stove. That brings me to this question.
What do I need and how would I do it to verify the charge level of house batteries. The panel above the stove is showing full and I am having no problems. The previous owner told me the batteries were new and I have no reason not to believe him. I am interested in getting "a second opinion" on the charge level of my house batteries (I have two).
Thanks.
Mike LeBlanc, "The Digital Guy"
Professional Photographer, Retired Art Educator
Sour Lake, Texas
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Digital volt meter is one way. The best way is with a hydrometer. Take a reading of each cell. That will tell you the condition of each cell. Next option is a load test. But that requires some specialized equipment.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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NewsW
US
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To get an accurate check (if you are that concerned), the battery need to be fully charged, then left to stand for 12 hrs or so disconnected from any load.
Then you can measure voltage, individual cell specific gravity, etc.
Yes, load test is best..
The point is... do you need to be that accurate?
Why not just use it until it doesn't work --- then worry about it.
As long as there are no unusual issues (e.g. overcharging, etc.) checking the electrolyte level once a year is all that is really needed.
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Easiest way is a digital volt meter. Measure battery voltage with no or minimal load on batteries. Do not discharge batteries below the 50% level.
For wet cell batteries:
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered.
Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Read The 12 Volt Side of Life. Very good info on batteries.
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tatest
Oklahoma Green Country
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The panel above the stove will always show "full" for battery charge, when you are plugged in, because it is seeing the voltage from the converter/charger, not the voltage from the batteries. That's just the way Winnebago wired it.
If you also measure voltage at the battery terminals when plugged in, you will be measuring charger voltage, not battery voltage. If you measure with the engine running, you should get the voltage from the engine alternator, slightly reduced by the transfer switch.
I disconnect my batteries to measure voltage for state of charge. If you have two, disconnect them from each other, they may be in different condition, and you can't tell the condition and charge state of either when two are wired in parallel.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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mikeleblanc413
Sour Lake, Texas
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tatest wrote, "The panel above the stove will always show "full" for battery charge, when you are plugged in, because it is seeing the voltage from the converter/charger, not the voltage from the batteries. That's just the way Winnebago wired it".
If I am getting a "full" charge indication when not plugged in...then I can assume the batteries are indeed fully charged. Right? or not.
THANKS to all who have responded. This is what makes this forum awesome!
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NewsW
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mikeleblanc413 wrote:
If I am getting a "full" charge indication when not plugged in...then I can assume the batteries are indeed fully charged. Right? or not.
Engine not running.
Nope.
Batteries can show fully charged, but run down real quick (will not hold a charge).
Consistent with being sulfated.
Replace if that is the case.
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oldtrucker63
Harlan Kentucky
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Yes a good Digital volt meter you can pick one up off E-bay and they also have them with AMPs reading too, I done mine like this, And it can be hooked anywhere to any 12 volt hot/ground as long as the wires that it is hooked to are powered by the house battery's.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's
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Coach-man
Florida
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All good suggestions, but also you should periodically check the water level in the batteries by removing the caps and looking to see if the level is up to the "ring" inside. (Use eye protection, and wash your hands and/or use rubber gloves as what is in the battery is acid!). If you need to add water use only DISTILLED water, not tap water or just any old bottled water, DISTILLED water. If your charging equipment is up to date and operating correctly, the battery will be charged, and will not use much water. If the battery uses to much water then you are overcharging it! This will shorten its life. Have the charger checked, on some chargers you can change the type of charge depending on what type of battery you have.
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