FTC Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this article for more information, visit our Advertising Disclosure Page.

You can subscribe to the Everything About RVing YouTube Channel for some great videos about RVing

RV Batteries Discharge Even When Plugged Into Shore Power

by Bill
(Needles, ca)

RV Batteries Discharge Even When Plugged Into Shore Power

RV Batteries Discharge Even When Plugged Into Shore Power

My batteries, chassis and house, discharge even if it is plugged into shore power; if I can get the generator started then the coach will start. I have a new batt in the chassis side. Could the house batteries, if shorted plates, draw them all down?

ANSWER: Greetings Bill thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.


This is one of those times where I can only guess at what is causing your electrical woes. Because based on the symptoms you are describing there are several potential causes to the problem.

Since you have a new Chassis battery it should not be going dead unless there is a constant drain on it and yes depending on how your 12 volt electrical system is configured there is potential for the House Batteries to affect the chassis batteries.

I am going to assume that you have checked and replenished the electrolytes in the house batteries. I am also going to assume that you have also checked the connections to the house batteries and inspected them for any loose or corroded connections. You should also get your house batteries load tested.

Leave your RV repair bills to us—Good Sam Extended Service Plan

I am also going to assume that you have checked for a loose ground as a loose ground could also cause the problem that you are experiencing. There could also
be a problem with the Converter/Charger on your RV not charging the batteries or the batteries themselves not accepting the charge. I am further assuming that you have looked for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers in your RV.

This is just a list of the most common causes of your problem. There could be a short somewhere in the RV, there could be loose connections to the Converter/Charter, etc. If you have checked everything that I have mentioned thus far and the problem still exists then you need to take your RV in and have a Certified RV Technician track down and repair the problem.

I hope this helped.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Protect your RV and your family while on the road: Join Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service Today and save!

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Don't Forget To Visit The Everything About RVing Stores.  If It Has To Do With RVing And The Outdoors The EARV Stores Have What You Are Looking For!

RV Accessories - Sporting Goods - RVing and Travel Books and How To Videos - Kindle Accessories and Books - The RVers Gift Shop - The RVer Mall - Buy or Sell An RV - The NASCAR Collectibles Store


Comments for RV Batteries Discharge Even When Plugged Into Shore Power

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Discharging batteries
by: Anonymous

My camper had an alarm to tell me the batteries were low, that alarm was draining the batteries, we disconnected it and added a solar trickle charger and never had another problem.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Another possibility?
by: Tom Corum

I had problems with the battery draining on my tow vehicle, a 2001 Suburban. Come to find out, the brake controller was drawing a total of 5 amps. After replacing it with a Prodigy brake controller, the total system draw was 1.3 amps. I just wanted to mention this as a possibility. Good luck with this frustrating challenge.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION