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Old 05-12-2008, 02:25 PM   #1
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House Battery not Charging

My electrical gremlins continue...

2 weeks ago the house battery suddenly would not accept a charge when driving. Or I should say that it will accept a charge and the controller shows a full battery but the second I shut off the engine or disconnect from shore power, the battery level plummets to the red. Any ideas other than the obvious of "you need a new battery"?

The battery is a Discover AGM that was installed in 8/06.

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Old 05-12-2008, 09:02 PM   #2
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The reading when you're charging isn't the battery level anway, so if the charge drops immediately you never had any battery charge you were just seeing the alternator or the shore power in the readout.

Why? Battery is the obvious choice, next is loose or disconnected ground, then corrosion.
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Old 05-12-2008, 09:31 PM   #3
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Could a battery just suddenly die like this in a 24 hour period?

Where is the ground usually located for a house battery? I have a AGM located beneath the side passenger doors.
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Old 05-12-2008, 10:02 PM   #4
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It is possible that while driving you shook something loose in the battery and caused it to fail however Jage is right and the problem is most likely a loose connection. I would recommend removing both connection at the battery, cleaning the terminals and re-attaching them. Also follow the negative lead until you can locate where it connects to the frame of the van, remove and clean this connection then try charging on shore power overnight and re-testing. If you still have a problem disconnect the battery from the vans wiring and try charging with a portable charger then test again. If you still have low voltage you have a bad battery. If not you will have to keep digging.

I hope this helps.
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Old 05-13-2008, 07:40 AM   #5
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Now the next question- how do you safely drop a 130# battery without having it pin your forehead to the driveway?
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Old 05-13-2008, 07:54 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lactic
Now the next question- how do you safely drop a 130# battery without having it pin your forehead to the driveway?
Floor jack, and an extra pair of hands to help keep it on the jack.


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Old 05-13-2008, 07:56 AM   #7
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Excellent! Thanks!

Now if I can do something with the 5" of snow we got last night...
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Old 05-13-2008, 09:23 AM   #8
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A transmission jack (~$40 at harbor freight IIRC) will give you a flat surface and a built in strap for stabilization. I use mine for all kinds of things.
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Old 05-13-2008, 09:29 AM   #9
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Thanks Jage! Looks like a trip down to Westminster is in order!
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Old 05-13-2008, 09:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
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Now the next question- how do you safely drop a 130# battery without having it pin your forehead to the driveway?
And that is the biggest reason to go with two of the smaller batteries instead of the big ol' honkin' one!

I pulled mine out at a battery shop.

Mike
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