Battery Issues and Questions

Nfallon

I have spent the last few weeks trying to figure out the battery on my 2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W. My battery runs down very fast. Sorry, this will be long winded but I want to go over everything I have tried. We picked up H@lfpint in November and garage stored it with shore power hooked up all winter. I tried to unplug it a few times and monitored how long it took the battery to go down using a cigarette lighter type battery monitor. I never let the battery get below 12.1v which is 50% from what I figured out from an awesome chart someone posted. But when we go out the battery discharges fairly quickly on our drive (down to 50% in 90 minutes). Yes, the Norcold is on, but has been throughly chilled and loaded with cold/frozen items.

I have checked know that we have power from the TV through the connection. I did this by shutting off the battery at the bypass, checking that we had no power (no lights, etc.). Then hooked up to the TV and we acknowledged that we did have power. So, not sure why the battery runs down when we are driving.

Yesterday did a test and unplugged the t@g and just monitered the battery. In 24 hours the battery was at 12.1 from a full charge just on phantom drain. I did not run a light, pump, fridge, or electronics. So not sure how we are ever going to Boondock without shutting off the battery cutoff. Then did a test and hooked up the TV with the cable and ran my car for half an hour in the driveway. The battery recharged but after I unhooked it in about 5 hours I was back to 12.1 volts.

I have checked the water levels of the battery and never let it run below 50%. I am including a photo of the battery. Is this an OK battery, is it the correct battery? I do not know what to do besides calling the dealer and starting with them. I think I have exhausted my resources

Thanks so much, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the learning curve on what I thought would be simple.

Sharon_is_SAM

I can't tell what size battery you have, but I assume it is a group 24 and probably only 75 amps at best. So, a 50% discharge is less than 40 amps - not a lot considering the Norcold can draw 4 amps while cycling. Also, the battery is for starting - different from a true deep cycle for RV use. If your battery is discharging under tow, the TV is not keeping up with the load and/or you have a bad battery as demonstrated by not holding a charge when not under load. I think the easiest place to start is to first have the battery checked, then if you plan to boondock, I would upgrade to at least 100 amps if possible.

Nfallon

Thank you. Yes, it does say it is for starting. I am attaching a larger photo hope it is better. Looks like it says a average 23 amp Looks like I will be off to purchase a new battery tomorrow. Where do you go to have a RV battery checked? I am not lying when I say this is all new to us. (Tent campers for the past 35 years).

Sharon_is_SAM

I can't find an amp hr rating for this battery. It is not the best for RV deep cycling use. The 23 amps for 140 minutes is not useful info. A true deep cycle battery uses amps per 20 hr rate. You can get a battery checked at an automotive store that sells batteries or your local auto repair shop - Firestone, etc.

Michigan_Mike

I agree with what Sharon stated and it sounds like you will need to find another alternative too, so far as keeping your battery optimum and supplying power to the Norcold and other items drawing power on your boondocking adventures.

Action Auto will check your battery if you bring it up to them. 👍🏻

If you plan to boondock a lot you might consider solar power. A nice solar set up will certainly help keep the battery charged up and allow you to stay off the grid for extended periods of time, without worrying about your Norcold, etc. lunching on your battery.

It sounds like you are on the right path though in learning how things work, what is consuming your battery and how to balance your power needs when camping. Something we did with our first 320 T@B was to wire in two 6-volt golf cart batteries to alleviate the power issue as I needed the power to ensure my CPAP would work at night. I’d used an 80 watt panel initially, but jumped up to a Zamp 200 watt panel suitcase unit that was the Cadillac and kept things humming nicely. With the Zamp I now have 390 watts of solar on the road (when needed) and it is a great feeling knowing I will have power non-stop if it doesn’t cloud over for extended periods of time.

Keep us posted on how you make out.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Nfallon, here is some info on batteries that should be helpful:
https://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html#AGM, or Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries

Nfallon

Thank you. I have been looking at adding solar but was going to wait to pull the trigger. Trying to keep the cost of what I spend spread out and off the grid from the husband . Looks like I will be pulling the trigger on a new battery this week. Michigan_Mike, thanks for the offer to test the battery and I would love a quick road trip but it seems that the battery I have is not worth keeping.

Not sure I want to go to 2-6 volt at this time and add the additional weight to the tongue With my tow vehicle.

Does anyone have a suggestion of a good 12v battery. I do not mind spending a bit more if it is good quality. Just don’t want another cheap a** battery. I looked on Amazon and the choices are endless and again I am out of my league. TIA.

WilliamA

Group 27 Duracell. I like mine. It's a little bigger footprint (needs a new battery box for $12 bucks) with a LOT more power. 8lbs more than O.E. Battery or still less than half the weight of 2 six volt jobs. Works fine with O.E. Converter. Costs a hundred bucks or so. I got mine at:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/product-details/marine_rv/battery/duracell-ultra/sli27mdc

WilliamA

HellFish

If you order your battery online from batteriesplus and specify in store pick up you get 10% off the order. I recently purchased a group 31 duracell marine battery from them. BTW, check the new battery's water levels first thing...mine were low.

Sharon_is_SAM

I would suggest an AGM battery. Essentially no maintenance, they are forgiving if you over discharge them, you can position them on their side if need be, and best of all, in storage they hold a charge for a long time after receiving a full charge. Interstate, Lifeline, Optima are all solid brands. For those who boondock and use solar, what amp hr rating is best? We use a 150 amp AGM with our TaB, but you may have less daily amp needs with the TaG.

TomD

I would love to get a solar set up. However most of my camping is tucked away under some forest canopy. I don’t want to keep repositioning the array to catch the best rays. I’m generally away from the camp site most of the day anyway. I’m living with the 6v battery mod that helps, but it can only supply 3 to 4 days of support and then I need to recharge with a Honda generator or drive to effect the charge. On a side note...I have an Optima battery in my refurbished 1968 TR 250 that has been in it for 5 years and keeps on keeping on. I would recommend the Optima products based on my experience with it.