two 12v dying after heater use.

J

JBL

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Ive got an older 06 Thor and can only hold 2 12's up front. I thought it was 3 year old batteries the first time a few weeks ago using the heater and waking up to low battery 10v according to solar panel control panel (I have a single 100 panel to keep them charged). Had to use jump starter to get genny started and got them back to 12.8v before bed. Went low again night 2. Went home bought 2 new marine/RV batteries fully charged before Christmas trip and same exact thing. What gives? I even run the gen even though it dont need a charge 2 hours before bed and I keep the setting about 65 over night. Nothing else is on, not even a single LED light and when I jump in bed the batts show 12.6 to 12.8. Thoughts please?
 
Assume your heater is propane? Have you checked the fan motor in your heater? You could have a bearing going out or another issue causing the blower motor to have a heavy amp draw. You can put a clamp-on meter on it while it is running to check the power draw. Otherwise you likely have something else drawing down the batteries. How about your fridge? Are you sure the control panel isn’t going bad and inadvertently putting into electric mode instead of gas mode?
 
Dockmaster said:
Assume your heater is propane? Have you checked the fan motor in your heater? You could have a bearing going out or another issue causing the blower motor to have a heavy amp draw. You can put a clamp-on meter on it while it is running to check the power draw. Otherwise you likely have something else drawing down the batteries. How about your fridge? Are you sure the control panel isn’t going bad and inadvertently putting into electric mode instead of gas
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Dockmaster said:
Assume your heater is propane? Have you checked the fan motor in your heater? You could have a bearing going out or another issue causing the blower motor to have a heavy amp draw. You can put a clamp-on meter on it while it is running to check the power draw. Otherwise you likely have something else drawing down the batteries. How about your fridge? Are you sure the control panel isn’t going bad and inadvertently putting into electric mode instead of gas mode?
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Thanks I've never tinkered with anything you mentioned. Like most gas and go till it dont go no mo. I'll look into that sir and thank you but it is gas heater/fridge also.
 
JBL said:
Thanks I've never tinkered with anything you mentioned. Like most gas and go till it dont go no mo. I'll look into that sir and thank you but it is gas heater/fridge also.
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Yep, I figured based on year and make your Moho is gas (propane) heater and fridge. The heater still has a 12v fan and an igniter so those could be a problem. And your fridge is a 3-way so make sure it isn't getting switched to electric if it is a 12v fridge. If you have an inverter, turn that off at night to see if you have a power draw somewhere you are not aware of.

Lastly, a single 100 watt solar panel isn't much. You likely never get a full 100 watts out of it anyway. Even if you were that 100 watts only = 8.3 amps at 12v. Not enough to power what you are running and charge batteries at same time. I realize you are running the gen to charge your batteries before you go to bed so this isn't your issue. Just suggesting you might want to add more solar.
 
lead acid is horrible. Your solar panel is not doing anything unless the trailer sits un used for a week or so. It will never top them off. 2 12v is probably 100Ah which is only 50ah usable. You would need to run the gun for about 10 hours to get them full.

Take the measurements of your space and then buy a LifePo4 battery off amazon. You should be able to fit a 200AH in the same space. Order a matching converter for it and you will be set for the next 12 years.
 
How are the 12 volt batteries wired and connected to the RV?

You should have ground on one battery for the RV and power from the other battery to the RV.
 
Another vote for a Lithium battery. I bought a 300AH version as I only had room for a single battery. I paired that with a large charger (100Amp) and they work great together.

I used the below brands.

Power Queen LiFePO4 Battery | Lithium Battery - Power Queen US

LiFePO4 battery from Power Queen offers unmatched durability, providing 10x longer life and 2-3x more power than traditional lead-acid batteries for reliable performance.
ipowerqueen.com ipowerqueen.com

powermaxconverters.com

PM3 12V Series - PowerMax Converters in 12, 24 & 48 Volts

AC to DC Power Converters can be used for RV Converters, Car Audio Power Supplies and Battery Charging for 12, 24 & 48V - Lithium Compatible
powermaxconverters.com powermaxconverters.com
 
Your issue isn't how they are hooked up or lights, they are 12V and just don't have the storage to last over night running that furnace, I didn't either with 12V's.
I did 2 6V's for years, worked just fine running my heater all night.
Went to solar and Lithiums this past year.
No issues either but now I won't have to replace batteries every 3 years and no adding water.

I have 800 Watts of Solar, 560Ah of Lithium and a 30Amp solar charger.
 
I’ve heard heater fans draw a bunch of amps and I bet set at 65 degrees, it draws a lot of juice. Especially with how terrible the insulation is. I’m usually the first to get up in the morning so it’s off all night until I wake up, get it nice and warm for the rest of the family to wake up.
 
65 degrees is pretty warm as well, I would imagine the heater is on a lot. I had mine set at 60 degrees last week, it came on 8-12 times at nigh,t I think?
 
punkur67 said:
My weekend warrior would kill the batteries overnight with the heater on. I went to two 6v batteries and never had another issue
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What he said. ^^^

@JBL

Call around to a few golf cart repair shops, and ask what 6v take outs they have available. You can pick em up dirt cheap.

Paying big money for super Yazoo batteries doesn't make any sense to me.

You can get take outs dirt cheap, replace em every year, and still be ahead dollar wise.

I've had em last 5 years. And they won't be dead in the morning, after you run the heater all night. 👍🏼
 
If my batteries are toast I was looking into 6V however I believe they are larger in size and my old trailer barely squeezes in large RV/Marine 12v. I cant even place them in a plastic battery box and have to run them without. We will see and thanks!
 
JBL said:
If my batteries are toast I was looking into 6V however I believe they are larger in size and my old trailer barely squeezes in large RV/Marine 12v. I cant even place them in a plastic battery box and have to run them without. We will see and thanks!
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They are Definitely different dimensions. Totally worth the effort to change the boxes and cables around. Have fun! (y)
 
JBL said:
If my batteries are toast I was looking into 6V however I believe they are larger in size and my old trailer barely squeezes in large RV/Marine 12v. I cant even place them in a plastic battery box and have to run them without. We will see and thanks!
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IIRC, the normal 6V is the same footprint at a Group 24 12V, only a bit taller. On my last toyhauler, I had to modify the shelf they sat on to account for the extra height but they slid right into place.
 
JBL said:
If my batteries are toast I was looking into 6V however I believe they are larger in size and my old trailer barely squeezes in large RV/Marine 12v. I cant even place them in a plastic battery box and have to run them without. We will see and thanks!
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Comfort is expensive, reliable power supply is a must. Might be time to do the upgrades....Cold Wife=Bad life.
 
JBL said:
If my batteries are toast I was looking into 6V however I believe they are larger in size and my old trailer barely squeezes in large RV/Marine 12v. I cant even place them in a plastic battery box and have to run them without. We will see and thanks!
Click to expand...
The 6V batteries might be slightly taller. 2 6v batteries will solve your heater issue.

When I had my toyhauler I ran two 6v batteries and the fit in the plastic battery boxes. I ran the Interstate 6v batteries.
 
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