Would anyone have a clue why when I'm plugged into AC the house batteries go dry. The Norcold Frig has a monitor on it that keeps flashing "dc low" even though it is set to AC. Everything else works (including the frig) so I think the inverter has to be working. If I turn the house switch off the frig won't run so I have to leave it on. Any ideas would be helpful. I do have a new Inverter left over from Jim Mays coach (he had sent it to Barth and they never used it) so I could try installing that but don't want to go to the trouble if that isn't the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Vanse:
Would anyone have a clue why when I'm plugged into AC the house batteries go dry. .

Doug, do you mean the batteries are literally going dry, as in boiling out their liquid? If your batteries are going dry, they are being overcharged.

Or do you mean they are going flat, as in low voltage?

We were in Wyoming a couple of weeks ago. The sun wasn't.

One of my house batteries also has a tendency to dry out after long periods on shore power. I'm assuming it is being overchared. Recently, after being on shore power for 3 weeks and getting ready for another roadtrip, one of the house batteries required 40 ounces of water. The other house battery (in tandem) never loses any water at all and I wonder why?

Chicken-Little dog

The batteries are not boiling over so I guess they are just losing all power. I checked the waer level and can see water when I pull the caps so I assume that is not the problem. I really appreciate your help. You should be here now, it's absolutely georgous, except for my battery problem! If I run the engine for just a few minutes the couch batteries register 3/4 full? but go back to empty when I turn the engine off.

[This message has been edited by Doug Vanse (edited June 02, 2005).]

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Vanse:
If I run the engine for just a few minutes the couch batteries register 3/4 full? but go back to empty when I turn the engine off.

Hmmm........going from empty to 3/4 in a few minutes doesn't sound right. I suspect that meter is just reading a surface charge. Is it a voltmeter or what?

The first thing to do is charge your batteries fully with a good automotive charger. Let them sit for a day with the grounds disconnected and take a hydrometer reading. This will tell you how good the batteries are. If the batteries are good, then we will need to check for drain and proper charging.

quote:

Originally posted by dogill:
One of my house batteries also has a tendency to dry out after long periods on shore power. I'm assuming it is being overchared. Recently, after being on shore power for 3 weeks and getting ready for another roadtrip, one of the house batteries required 40 ounces of water. The other house battery (in tandem) never loses any water at all and I wonder why?

Chicken-Little dog

Sounds like it's hydrometer time.

So, Doug, how is it coming?