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Old 05-19-2019, 11:12 AM   #1
SST159
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Default Motor Home RV House batteries

What are most folks using or suggesting to use for Motor home house batteries.
I use two 12v batteries and have a 600 watt inverter and a 60 watt converter/charger.
I have been using Optima Yellow top batteries the past two years but not having much success with them.
Two of them went bad in a matter of 8 months.
although they are covered under 3 year warrantee which they did replace them,
they seem to draw down over night with only a TV on and fridge on set on Propane. (dry camping at track)
the charger in the motor home does not charge the Opitma batteries very quickly.
My thought is perhaps the Yellow top is not a good choice being it only has 120 RC (recovery minutes).
Thanks in advance any input.
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Old 05-19-2019, 02:00 PM   #2
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

No way two yellow tops should draw down that quickly, you might want to verify the charger settings are correct since lead acid, AGM and Lithium all require different settings. Does the charge rate seem to vary based on if it’s running on the Motorhome generator vs. shore power? You might also see how many AMPS are being pulled in the “overnight” mode, quite possible one or more of your inverted outlets has something pulling power besides the TV (note that old TV’s draw a lot more than newer ones). The fantastic fans in lavatory, Phone chargers, etc all add up.
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Old 05-19-2019, 03:52 PM   #3
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

Jim thanks for the reply.
when I tested the converter/charger, it was putting out 14.3 volts to the batteries which is good.
I dont think this converter has any type of settings.
two weeks ago I ran the inverter over night and it drew both batteries down to 50%.
that dropped the house voltage to 10.5 volts which when that low shuts the refridge down even set on propane.
only had the TV, phone charger and the battery charger in the trailer on.
I let the coach generator 7500 watt onan run all day and it still did not charge the yellow tops much. when I got home I put the optima charger on for a day for each battery and that brought them back to 100%.
spent the night in it this past Friday which I ran the coach gen most of the day. over night I ran my honda 2000 watt gen all night and the panel showed it only drawing 1amp. In the morning the batteries down to 11.5 volts. I did not have the inverter turn the inverter on that night. the next day I put the agm charger on the both and it took most of the day to bring them back to 100%.
Brought it home and plugged in shore power and this morning they were at 13.5 Volts at the panel. BTW I changed out both TV's long ago to newer flat panel. This has me puzzled.
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Old 05-19-2019, 08:23 PM   #4
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

I use 2 Trojan T-105 6V golf car batteries wired in series. Never had any luck with the 12V deep cycle batteries.
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Old 05-20-2019, 08:42 AM   #5
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

Well I don't own a motor home and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. However I know the Yellow Tops are good batteries.

Don't most motor homes use larger batteries?
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Old 05-20-2019, 09:43 AM   #6
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

As a 20+ year motorhome user (4 different units), there is no question that you will get a lot more longevity out of 6v golf cart batteries. You are using great quality 12v bats, but try some 6v ones that are designed for the environment you are exposing them to and you will get much better results.

Also, as stated above, make sure your power share, and battery-type settings are correct. I can't tell you how many times folks with house battery issues have been corrected simply by changing these.

Good luck - please keep us posted.
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:12 PM   #7
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

Thanks for the response.
What component would I be making any such settings?
The converter/charger in my rig does not have any setting adjustments that I am aware of.
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:28 PM   #8
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

Quote:
Originally Posted by SST159 View Post
the charger in the motor home does not charge the Opitma batteries very quickly
This could be alot of your issue. Have you been able to check the voltage before going to bed to make sure they're up to capacity?
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Old 05-20-2019, 07:00 PM   #9
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

Another issue - your RV charger will not charge optima batteries the way they are supposed to be charged (different algorithm)
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Old 05-20-2019, 07:31 PM   #10
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Default Re: Motor Home RV House batteries

A few things first make sure whatever charger you are using is set on AGM setting ---do not charge it any other setting- second fully charge the batteries BEFORE you leave the house---third charge the batteries fully when you return home- fourth disconnect the batteries to prevent phantom draw during non usage periods--- all of these will assure longer life for the batteries but generally deep cycle batteries don't have a real long lifespan- yes some may get "years " while others only get a year or two but it all depends on how you take care of the batteries-FED 387
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