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Old 02-21-2017, 06:21 PM   #1
cattntitans
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Battery question from a newbie

This has probably been asked a hundred times but here goes again. Apologize for boring you in advance. We have just gotten our High Country 305RL...2016 model. Can we overcharge our no maintenance sealed battery while connected to electric power? When should we use the battery bypass in the off position?
 
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Old 02-21-2017, 06:47 PM   #2
K0LCB
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If your converter is working properly you should be safe. I've never turned my battery disconnect off. We've lived in this rig for 2 1/2 years
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Old 02-22-2017, 04:41 AM   #3
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Battery disconnect should be off when in storage. If long term storage, disconnect the battery as well as there is still a draw even with the battery disconnect off. On our 2015, there is a blinking charging light on the converter that will signal when the converter goes to a maintenance charge. We have never had an issue with battery charge.
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:33 AM   #4
speedster100
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With the new inverters there is no issue with leaving it plugged in all the time, I have done it on the last 2 trailers and about once a year I top up the batteries with a small amount of demin water.

Just checked mine this week and no requirement for water to be added, its been plugged in for 5 months straight.

Hope that helps....
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Old 02-22-2017, 09:18 AM   #5
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Since we have been full timing we haven't used the battery disconnect in 6 years.
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Old 03-14-2018, 12:02 PM   #6
holbrook2
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We just left FL headed for GA. We stopped to use the bathroom in the coach and my husband says the batteries are dead and do not appear to be charging. We had no problem when hooked onto shore power. This is a 2018 Montana. Any ideas why it is not charging?
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Old 03-14-2018, 12:23 PM   #7
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You need to check the voltage across the batteries when hooked up to the truck - is it showing over 13 volts? If not you need to check at your 7 pin connector and then troubleshoot from there. The batteries should not be run down if it has recently been on shore power unless you have an inverter for a residential fridge which has run them down.
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Old 03-14-2018, 02:35 PM   #8
Carl n Susan
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Check the battery disconnect switch in the convenience center.
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Old 03-14-2018, 02:48 PM   #9
jeffba
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Which Montana do you have?
how long did it take to go down?
Batteries have water?
do you know if the batteries were good to start with?
What all was turned on/off?
battery voltage plugged into truck?
battery voltage, truck unplugged?
connections all look good?
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Old 03-14-2018, 09:35 PM   #10
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I have not experienced any issues with leaving my unit plugged into shore power for extended time periods. My older units would boil the fluid out of the batteries but not my 2016 3160, I have not had to add fluid since I bought it.

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Old 03-14-2018, 10:42 PM   #11
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Some trucks have a fuse that isn't installed from the factory for the trailer connection. Also, by 'sealed' battery, you don't mean those new type AGM (?) batteries do you. The standard convertor won't work with them.
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Old 03-14-2018, 11:45 PM   #12
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Can we get back to the questions in the original post by cattntitans?

holbrook2-- It would be better to post your question/s on a separate post or thread to get more answers.
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Old 03-15-2018, 03:51 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twindman View Post
Some trucks have a fuse that isn't installed from the factory for the trailer connection. Also, by 'sealed' battery, you don't mean those new type AGM (?) batteries do you. The standard convertor won't work with them.
I am glad I didn't know this before I put a new AGM in 2 years ago!

Also glad I didn't know when I put the half dozen or so in the heavy equipment I oversee 3 years ago!

I am still not having problems with the AGM battery.

They are a lead acid battery you smart charger installed in your Montana will handle an AGM battery without any problem.

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Old 03-15-2018, 10:58 AM   #14
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Sorry if I mispoke. I thought I read that on here about AGM batteries.
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Old 03-15-2018, 07:13 PM   #15
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Our truck is 2015 Silverado 2500HD, could not figure out why the truck was not charging the batteries while driving, then another chevy owner told me to check the fuses under the hood. Sure enough the 30 amp fuse that said trailer battery was blown. After replacing that no more problems.
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Old 03-16-2018, 06:50 AM   #16
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Cat you did not tell us which Montana you you have. If you have an HC with the LCI ground control, it has the 12V voltage level displayed. You can check the voltage there. Compare the voltages with the truck running. Unplugged should be lower than plugged in.
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Old 03-16-2018, 08:39 AM   #17
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Sorry if I mispoke. I thought I read that on here about AGM batteries.
Please excuse my sarcastic humor.

It is a common misconception.

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Old 03-22-2018, 11:47 AM   #18
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Since this seems to be a battery thread looks like a good place ask as well. My 2018 3720rl might not be charging the battery. Even though the CP shows full battery and all lights green. However when I go to put the slides out...nothing. We got the rig last fall and had no issues. I hooked up to truck and still no slides. Rig is plugged in house power as well. Any ideas? Should be a new battery that came with rig.
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Old 03-22-2018, 02:58 PM   #19
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Sounds like to me you are not getting any power to the slides. Maybe the breaker needs replacing if it is not a resettable one. What about your cutoff switch? Is it on the "on" position?
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Old 03-22-2018, 03:30 PM   #20
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Sounds like to me you are not getting any power to the slides. Maybe the breaker needs replacing if it is not a resettable one. What about your cutoff switch? Is it on the "on" position?
Complete moron. I must have turned the cut off switch to the off position last time I was playing with...turn it on and bingo slides work just fine. (hanging head down) lol thanks for the response Lenny.
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