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How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?

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lb34949
Reg. Aug 2011
Posted 2018-10-16 4:51 PM (#171968)
Subject: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


Member


Posts: 7

 My batteries are 4 1/2 years old... they seem to be not accepting a charge, or not holding the charge for very long. How do I check to see if it's charging with a Multimeter? Just trying to make sure before I purchase new batteries. I appreciate any input.
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beeoerdog
Reg. Jan 2014
Posted 2018-10-16 5:05 PM (#171969 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Posts: 448
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Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Turn multimeter setting to DC volts (straight line with dots underneath )
Place probes on battery while charging red to positive , black to negative.
Should read +/- 13.6 or higher ....if so, the charger is working. You can also buy a load tester ($25.00 on amazon) but I bet your batteries are no good.
Check battery connections as well....should be clean and tight. Also check water level inside battery.
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horsey1
Reg. Dec 2004
Posted 2018-10-17 7:13 AM (#171970 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Posts: 720
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Average lifespan of RV batteries (used like most folks do) is in the 2 year range. After that, they likely have little reserve capacity left. And then they eventually short out and won't charge. Look to see if you see any signs of the case swelling (means it is toast). And if it is dry on electrolite, it is toast. You can refill it and charge it, but it is not long for this world. 
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cajunmuleman
Reg. Oct 2011
Posted 2018-10-17 2:11 PM (#171971 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?



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Posts: 656
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Location: Rayne, LA
And just to add to Horsey's post, if you continue to ignore them they will blow up causing more trouble by spraying acid all over
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lb34949
Reg. Aug 2011
Posted 2018-10-17 3:27 PM (#171973 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Posts: 7

Thank you so much everyone for your response!! I will just get new batteries... They don't look like they are swollen or anything but better to be safe than sorry.... Thanks for taking the time to respond. 
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calamityj
Reg. Jun 2005
Posted 2018-10-20 5:50 PM (#171976 - in reply to #171973)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Posts: 690
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Location: missouri
Cannot stress the importance of checking water in your LQ batteries...we just bought two new batteries yesterday..OUCH.
You may already know this, but your refridgerator must have 12 volt to run it's brain...whether on A/C or LP...If you shut down over the winter...turn it on every couple of weeks for a few hrs...otherwise, it is loaded with ammonia type substance that will rust it out if it sits too long without running. We clean it out and block it, and run it every couple of weeks for a day...we leave our LQ plugged into our hook-up by the barn. Never had any trouble....
 
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PaulChristenson
Reg. Jan 2007
Posted 2018-10-22 7:45 PM (#171981 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Location: Vermont
 beeoerdog is right about probably dying or dead batteries...but one should have a load tester as a matter of course if you have equipment that depend on batteries...I'd also recommend solar trickle charger for your trailer to help your next batteries live a longer life...:)
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2018-10-24 4:45 AM (#171983 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


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Location: western PA
Most battery dealers will load test your batteries for free. Once you know their state of opperation, it's easier to make future decisions about their replacements. The testing doesn't take very long, and you will then know, what you will next need to accomplish.
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lb34949
Reg. Aug 2011
Posted 2018-11-01 11:45 AM (#172008 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


Member


Posts: 7

I'm not sure it was the batteries... it seems to be the charger, I guess I wasn't checking that properly. Once the new batteries were installed on Saturday I plugged it in to top the new batteries off, went out yesterday and they were dead also.   So I just ordered a new converter as the fuses in it looked fine. 

How do you use a load tester? What would use it to test for?? 

Thanks all....
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beeoerdog
Reg. Jan 2014
Posted 2018-11-02 9:33 AM (#172010 - in reply to #171968)
Subject: RE: How do I test if my batteries are accepting a charge?


Extreme Veteran


Posts: 448
10010010010025
Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Clip the leads to the battery terminals. Press button.....current will start to flow out of the battery. If the battery is good, the indicator will show that . If the battery is bad, the indicator will move to the bad position. You must first insure that you have a charged battery to start.
To check charger, put a voltmeter on the terminals and see what the voltage is...should be 13.6 or more if the charger is working. Also check that you have power to the charger.....circuit breakers all on and gfi receptacles not tripped....you could also plug a light into outlet that charger is plugged into to verify power to charger.
If batteries are new and you have power to the charger and fuses are good, the charger is suspect but do check the output (if any) using a voltmeter.
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