Low voltage when hydraulic leveler activated

[Randy E]

Can anyone explain a voltage issue I had today. I was removing from my 2017 3791-RD from indoor storage today and the landing legs stopped and the display said low voltage. I looked inside the RV at the battery indicator and it says fully charged. The RV was plugged into shore power all winter, and was still plugged in during the low voltage message on my lippert display panel. I scrolled thru the menu on the lippert screen to where it showed voltage. It was at 11.5 volts when it faulted out. I let it sit a few min and it would lift the landing legs a few inches at a time. Then fault out again. It was 49 degrees outside. I know thick cold oil moves slow. But low voltage should be a different issue. Has anyone had this issue.
Thanks in advance. Randy.

[PNW Fireguy]

Battery voltage drops as large loads are applied to them. This is specifically true of LA anbd AGM batteries. As the batteries get older the drop is more prevalent. Your levelor hydraulic pump may be pulling close to 70-80 amps. If the battery is weak from storage or perhaps needing water these can all contribute to the significant voltage drop.

[Randy E]

Thank you for the quick reply. I did not check the water in the batteries. I’ll go do that. They are LA 3 year old batteries. They might be nearing end of life. Thanks for the help.

[jeffba]

Just got my camper back from a 4 month trip to the factory. yup batteries dead. It is about the 4th time the batteries have been taken to their knees. Always at the dealer. wouldn't be such a stick in the craw if it weren't for the battery disconnect I installed.

Every time that happens the life if the battery is shortened. That may apply to you.

[ChuckS]

I’d remove the battery terminal ends and clean them and the post connectors. I’m guessing your might have some green oxidation on terminals or they might be loose.

Either will cause the voltage to drop once you out a load on the battery from pump motor

[rohrmann]

This problem is very likely a bad auto reset breaker which is also likely to be needing to be upgraded from a 50 amp to an 80 amp breaker.

[PeteandJoan]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

This problem is very likely a bad auto reset breaker which is also likely to be needing to be upgraded from a 50 amp to an 80 amp breaker.

What Bob said is most likely, but whatever is causing your issue today it would be best if the breaker is replaced to 80 amp.

[paulinbaja]

Cold and sitting for a while not exercised could contribute to this issue. The 50 vs 80 amp circuit breaker often contributes to this issue.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

This problem is very likely a bad auto reset breaker which is also likely to be needing to be upgraded from a 50 amp to an 80 amp breaker.

👆This is spot on

[davemitchell59]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

This problem is very likely a bad auto reset breaker which is also likely to be needing to be upgraded from a 50 amp to an 80 amp breaker.

Yep … what Bob said.

[JABURKHOLDER]

While the breaker is a known issue, I believe your batteries are the issue.
Firstly, when you are checking battery voltage at the lippert panel and your status panel at the RV’s control panel while plugged into shore power, you are reading the voltage coming from your converter, not the batteries. To read battery voltage, you must turn off shore power.
Secondly, even while you are connected to shore power, you must have good batteries installed. The batteries are what “absorbs” the power preventing damage to your converter.
Take your batteries to an auto parts store and have them tested.

[laverdur]

For Randy E: Assuming that you have 12 volt deep cycle batteries, if you have to replace them and want to stay with 12 volts, try to find Centennial batteries. They are true "sealed" LA batteries that never need water, even when kept on a multi-stage converter any time the rig is parked. I got 7 years out of my last set of Centennials and never had to add water once. My take when I inspected the batteries is that the battery will be destroyed if one tries to find a way to add water.