Last updated on March 25th, 2023 at 08:28 am
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Having the ability to use home comforts like a microwave oven, blender, and TV whilst on an RV vacation is a dream, but as all of these things rely on power, if your battery dies, so does your chance of catching the soccer game you planned on watching!
In other words, your RV battery is an essential component of your rig, and your RV is rendered pretty much useless without one. Batteries aren’t invincible and so it’s important to know when it’s time to check and potentially replace the ones in your RV.
So, how do you tell when your RV battery is dead?
There are a few easy ways to tell if your RV battery is dead and in need of replacement. Indicators of a dead battery can be improper cranking, dim headlights, and electrical problems. If you’ve had your battery for a long time, it may need replacing as it is simply too old to perform well.
Luckily, there are usually a few indicators to help give away if your battery is beginning to struggle. We will go through these signs in this article, and we will also discuss how to test your RV battery and why it keeps on dying!
How to Tell When an RV Battery Is Dead
There are a few ways to tell if your RV battery is dead, and if you’re experiencing one or more of these issues in your rig, you may want to test your battery and see if you need to purchase some new ones.
1. Engine Not Cranking Properly
When you put the key into your RV to fire up your rig, usually after a couple of seconds, the RV should kick into life, but if your battery is dead, you may be experiencing an entirely different situation. A dead battery may result in a clicking sound when you turn the key, along with the engine not being able to crank properly.
2. Dim Headlights
If your battery is not performing at its best and is dying or dead, you may notice along with your engine not turning over correctly, some electrical parts of your RV may not be working well either.
You may notice things like dimmed headlights when you’re idling your RV, and if your lights get brighter when you put your foot on the accelerator, it may be a sign your battery isn’t holding charge as it should.
3. Electrical Problems
RVs rely heavily on electrics to function and this includes components of your camper such as dashboard lights, the radio, and wipers. Electrical power is needed for all of these to work, and if your battery isn’t in good shape, these components may all stop working correctly as they aren’t receiving sufficient power.
4. Old Battery
Batteries don’t last forever, and even though you may be able to get several years out of the one in your RV, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace it with a new one. If your battery is a few years old and you’re starting to notice a drop in power, or the battery is struggling to retain power, you may need to simply install a new battery.
Knowing how to tell if your battery is dead is a key way of resolving potential RV electrical issues quickly, as being stranded with an RV that doesn’t have any electrical power wouldn’t be very fun at all!
How Do You Test an RV Battery?
There are a few different ways to test your RV battery and see if it’s still in good shape or in need of being replaced. Keeping familiar with at least a couple of these methods means you can check your battery when you’re out on the road yourself without having to call in the professionals.
It’s important to check your battery’s manual and follow the instructions provided for testing it. There are different types of batteries that can be used in an RV and some testing methods may be more suitable than others.
1. Use Your Dashboard Monitor Panel
When your RV isn’t plugged in at a campground, take a look at the monitor panel on your dashboard that displays battery information such as how much charge your battery has. Unplugging from a campground is crucial, as if you look at your monitor when power is flooding in, it may show that your battery is in good health when it’s not.
Allowing the battery to perform on its own will give a far more accurate reading so you can solve any issues quickly. While looking at the panel, it can be a good idea to turn your headlights on and see what happens to the battery when it’s under a small load. If it starts to struggle and you see your voltage drop significantly, or the lights are dim or flickering, you may need to invest in a new RV battery.
2. Voltage Test
Before starting a voltage test on your battery it’s important to know what the voltage of your battery should be. If you’re not sure, check the manufacturer’s manual and try to find the information in the booklet.
You can then turn on the voltmeter, choose the DC voltage option, and press the voltmeter’s red wire to the positive on your battery and the black wire to the negative.
Many RVs have a 12V battery which should stay around 12.5V and 12.7V when there isn’t anything electrical on in the RV. If your reading is less than 12.5V, your RV is likely in need of a charge, and if you notice the voltage dropping quickly, it may be time to get a new battery.
3. Hydrometer Test or Specific Gravity Test
A more advanced way of testing the battery on your RV is by using a hydrometer, but this method only works if your battery is not a sealed system and you can access the vent caps and undo them. As this process involves getting very up close and personal with your battery, it’s best to wear protective equipment such as gloves and take your time with each step.
After removing the vent caps, you can check the electrolyte levels for each cell in the battery using a hydrometer. You’ll need to fill up the hydrometer and release all of the water twice before taking any readings from any of the cells. When testing the electrolyte level for each cell, drain the water you used back into the same cell and make a note of the number for each one.
The factory specification means the readings from your battery should be around 1.277, and if they are lower than this, your battery is likely in need of a good charge. Sometimes, there may be readings where there is a difference of 0.050 or more, and if this is the case, the cells aren’t working properly and your battery will need replacing.
The video below is a great example of how to test your RV battery if you notice a drop in voltage and lack of power. Be sure to wipe away any battery acid from accidental spills as it could be harmful to you and the battery if left alone.
As you can see in the video, the battery is first tested with a voltmeter to see the initial amount of power it holds and as the reading shows a very low voltage, it’s good to perform a hydrometer test.
Why Does the RV Battery Keep Dying?
Traveling in an RV is unlike any other lifestyle, and it’s perfectly normal to face problems when you’re on the road, especially if you are living in your RV full-time. When your RV battery keeps dying, it can be frustrating to know what to do, but the key to fixing the issue is to get to the bottom of what’s causing the constant depletion in power.
Reason 1: Lead Sulfate Crystal Buildup
A common cause of lead-acid batteries dying or not functioning correctly is a lead sulfate crystal buildup called sulfation, which happens when your battery is prevented from getting a full charge. If there is too much crystal buildup, the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy pays the price and won’t work correctly.
Reason 2: Parasitic Loads
There can sometimes be a sneaky draw on your battery you may not even be aware of. When you use anything electrical in your RV, it will draw power from the battery, and if your rig is turned off, power will solely come from the battery in your RV.
Parasitic loads are connected to your battery and unnecessarily draw power, resulting in your battery constantly draining when it doesn’t need to be.
Reason 3: High Rate of Self Discharge
Self-discharging is a normal and common issue with batteries, however, there are a few things that can affect how quickly your battery discharges.
If you’ve been adventuring out in your RV during extreme temperatures, you may experience a higher rate of self-discharge. This can also happen if your battery is old and simply can’t hold the power it used to anymore.
Reason 4: Overcharging or Undercharging
Pumping too much power into your battery can cause a lot of damage and could end up with your battery dying. Overcharging usually happens when a battery charger is misused or when the alternator cannot keep battery levels stable.
Undercharging your RV battery also isn’t a wise idea either as it can lead to sulfation and carries the risk of the batteries not being able to get a full charge in again if they have been damaged.
Reason 5: Poor Battery Maintenance
Getting into the habit of keeping an eye on the health of your battery every now and again is a good idea as it means you won’t unexpectedly be caught out by any loss of power if your battery is struggling.
Testing your battery monthly puts you in a good position for knowing its health, and means you can deal with problems quickly if something isn’t right.
Closing Thoughts
If you jump into your RV and notice your headlights are dim and flickering, there’s a multitude of electrical problems such as the windshield wipers not working, and your engine isn’t cranking properly, it’s likely you have a dead battery.
Having the knowledge to identify when your RV battery is dead or dying, and keeping an eye out for the typical signs of a battery problem means you can stay ahead of the game and be ready to purchase a new battery if needed.
To keep a battery in the best condition, it’s wise to check it once a month or so, keep it at a constant temperature, and be sure not to over or undercharge it as this can lead to a damaged battery.