Check Your RV Battery

It is important to "tune up" your recreational vehicle's battery at least once every year. You may also want to check the battery before going out on your latest adventure. This article will tell you how to check your RV battery.

Steps

Using Your Monitor Panel

  1. Look at your dashboard monitor when your RV is not plugged into an electrical outlet.[1]
    • If you attempt to check your battery this way while it is plugged in, you will get a false charged reading.
  2. Turn on a couple of lights and check your monitor again for an accurate reading under a small load.[2]

Voltage Test

  1. Know what voltage your battery is. Most commonly, you will have a 12-volt battery, but sometimes you can have a 6-volt battery.[3]
  2. Turn on your voltmeter and select DC voltage. Open the hood of the RV.[4]
  3. Touch the voltmeter's red lead to the positive terminal of your battery. Place the black lead on your battery's negative terminal.[5]
  4. Read your screen or indicator (if your meter isn't digital). A 12-volt battery should read between 12.5 and 12.7 volts when it isn't being used. A 6-volt battery should read between 6.25 and 6.35 volts.[6]
  5. Anything less than 12.5 or 6.35 volts indicates your battery needs to be charged or replaced (if its charge depletes quickly).[7]

Specific Gravity

  1. Put on protective gear and open the hood.
  2. Remove the vent caps if your battery is not a sealed system.
  3. Check the electrolyte levels in each cell. Refer to your battery's instructions if you are unsure of the levels in your battery cells.[8]
  4. Fill a hydrometer and drain it twice for each cell before taking a reading.[9]
  5. Test the electrolyte level from a cell using the hydrometer and then drain the water back into its own cell. Record the number for each cell.[10]
  6. Test all cells and then replace your vent covers. Your specific gravity reading for each cell should be between 1.235 and 1.277.
    • If the readings of all the cells average below 1.277 you will need to charge your battery.
    • If there is a difference of .050 or more between the highest cell reading and the lowest cell reading, your lowest cell is probably weak or dead and your battery may need to be replaced.



Tips

  • If your battery has been recently charged or discharged, you need to wait at least 6 hours before using a voltmeter to test it.
  • Some (larger) RVs have separate engine and coach batteries. Coach batteries may be single or multiple battery arrangements and they provide power to run the lights and other equipment in the non-engine and non-cockpit areas of the RV. Each battery needs to be serviced individually. Many RVs have an emergency engine start switch in the cockpit which provides a temporary connection of all the batteries in the vehicle in the event that the engine battery will not start the engine. Often, connecting the RV to 110v (shore) power charges the coach batteries, while the engine alternator charges the engine battery. Note that extended disuse of the vehicle can lead to discharge of any battery and extended 110v connection for the coach batteries (for several months at a time) could lead to an overcharge (or electrolyte loss) situation.
  • If you need to add water to the electrolyte levels, you must charge the battery and wait 6 hours before using a hydrometer.

Warnings

  • Never try to open a sealed battery. There is no way to add water to these batteries and attempting to do so can result in serious injury and destruction of the battery.
  • Always wear protective clothing and eyewear when using a hydrometer. The water contains battery acid, which can burn skin and eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • Voltmeter
  • Hydrometer (test for specific gravity)
  • Protective gloves (specific gravity)
  • Eyewear (specific gravity)
  • Water (if needed)

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ https://www.dutchmen.com/blog-details/content-container/know-your-battery-stay-in-charge-with-rv-maintenance-tips-from-dutchmen-rv
  2. ↑ https://www.dutchmen.com/blog-details/content-container/know-your-battery-stay-in-charge-with-rv-maintenance-tips-from-dutchmen-rv/
  3. ↑ https://www.trailerlife.com/tech/understanding-and-maintaining-your-rvs-batteries/
  4. ↑ http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/battery-issues-understanding-your-rvs-electrical-systems/recreation-leisure
  5. ↑ http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/battery-issues-understanding-your-rvs-electrical-systems/recreation-leisure
  6. ↑ https://koa.com/blog/extend-the-life-of-rv-batteries/
  7. ↑ https://koa.com/blog/extend-the-life-of-rv-batteries/
  8. ↑ https://rvshare.com/blog/7-things-need-know-rv-battery/
  9. ↑ https://www.trailerlife.com/tech/understanding-and-maintaining-your-rvs-batteries/
  10. ↑ https://www.trailerlife.com/tech/understanding-and-maintaining-your-rvs-batteries/
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