Every adventure seeker loves the freedom of travel and the self-sufficiency the RV provides. But one fact is the RV, like any other car, relies on a battery to move, alongside powering the major utilities in the homely vehicle. So, what if any or all the batteries die completely while you’re off-grid?
As an RVer, some journeys get you to places rarely visited by people and far away from gas stations and towns. See how you could be stranded, whether boondocking in the wilderness or at a campsite. Therefore, you cannot risk staying uninformed about fixing dead battery situations, which this article discusses.
First: Confirm the Battery is Dead
You may assume the battery is dead because it’s no longer charging, but it’s a different battery problem. Perhaps it could be a resolvable charging difficulty, and in no time, the battery picks up charge again.
To determine if the battery is truly dead, you carry out these tests:
Charge the Battery Once More
First things first, try charging the battery again. If the voltage levels do not increase, the battery is not absorbing charge, which is a dead battery state. If it takes charge but loses it entirely in an unusually short period of time, that is an internal battery failure.
Jumpstart the Failing Battery
If a few batteries within the RV battery system show signs of death, try jump-starting them with one of the fully charged batteries. If any seemingly dead batteries respond to the charging current, they can temporarily serve your RV a little while longer and are not completely depleted.
Evidence of a battery without life is when it doesn’t sense the charge from the charging battery; however, don’t stop at that when verifying the battery status; go ahead and do the other tests below to confirm the battery condition.
Do Voltage Tests
This is the most reliable way to determine that the battery is dead and cannot be revived. When the battery is idle, you use a multimeter to conduct the voltage tests. The battery shouldn’t have any electrical devices connected to it.
Upon connecting the multimeter to the battery and setting it to DC voltage, read the displayed resting voltage. Let’s say the battery under check is a 12V battery; a voltage reading below 10V suggests the battery is dead. If the reading is under 12V, the battery is extremely drained and may fail shortly.
If it’s a 24V one, you would consider it dead when the voltage is below 20V, while the 48V battery is 40V and below. Make time to also perform the voltage check on the other batteries in the RV to be sure their lifespan is still intact.
Check for Any Reversible Physical Damage
A battery can die naturally because of old age. But not every dead instance proves it has reached its expected lifespan, and replacement is necessary. It could be that the battery is physically injured internally or on the outside, which is noticed when you carry out a thorough inspection.
If the battery terminals or any external parts are corroded, cleaning them may allow the battery to accept a charge. On the contrary, a dead battery with fluid leakages, swells, and burnt parts needs no repair; the only solution is to get a new one.
Identify The Probable Cause
Even after verifying the RV battery is dead using the methods above, the reason for it may still be unknown. It might not be an aging effect or physical damage, but other causes you ought to investigate to find out. Well, it shouldn’t be a puzzle with these more likely causes to have ended the battery’s life prematurely.
In fact, educating yourself on this matter will help you spot the signs of a dying RV battery in good time. If the battery dies, it doesn’t find you off-guard and unprepared because you would have noticed early enough.
Battery Draining Fast
When the battery capacity or charge starts depleting super fast, just know the battery is on a path to complete failure. This happens when the battery is running light bulbs and other appliances, and the charge consumption is high.
If it’s the excessive use of appliances, that notifies you to switch off non-essential appliances to help mitigate the excessive power drain from the battery.
Slow Charging
When the battery takes longer than the expected charging time to charge, it may be dying. Its ability to absorb charge has decreased.
However, before you arrive at the battery having a problem, inspect the charger and terminals as well. Dirty or corroded battery terminals impede the charging speed.
Awful Smell
You may notice a foul odor emitted from the battery. That’s also a great indicator of a dying battery. This is a tragic internal battery issue whereby the electrolyte has been degrading for some time.
The smell is from the hydrogen gases produced during the electrolyte decomposition. In such a case, the battery must be immediately disposed of, even before it dies. The fumes are health hazards and may cause respiratory complications you did not anticipate.
How to Fix a Dead Battery
Fixing a permanently dead battery can be very tricky. In most cases, you’ll have to replace it with a brand-new battery or just a working battery as long as it fits as the right battery replacement. However, you can try resuscitating the battery using these easy methods.
Remember, it’s a trial. It’s not guaranteed that the battery will come to life, especially if it is beyond repair. These are temporary hacks that might leave you stranded again at any minute. They’ll help awaken the battery as you seek a long-term remedy.
Use a Portable Jump Starter
You should have a working jump starter nearby to jump-start the RV battery. Once you have it in position, take the red (positive) cable off the jump starter and clamp it to the positive terminal of the RV’s dead battery. This method is practical for the recreational vehicle's chassis and house batteries.
Then, attach the black negative cable to an unpainted metal surface on the RV. This grounds the connection so that there are no sparks or electrical damage. After that, turn on the jump starter and leave the dead battery to charge. When much time has passed and you feel the battery might have absorbed enough charge, disconnect the jump starter in reverse.
You can now connect the electrical appliances to the battery to see if they’ll operate. This is how most jump starters function, but we advise you to refer to the vehicle’s manual to be sure of the right procedure for your RV’s model.
Replace the Electrolyte
A dead battery has a completely degraded electrolyte, which prevents charge flow. Therefore, changing the electrolyte is another way to promote charge absorption. Although it seems unconventional, this technique can get the battery up and running. You have to be very cautious, as the battery electrolytes are corrosive.
Safety is paramount. So, start by wearing gloves, gas masks, and protective clothing. And ensure you carry out the activity in a well-ventilated area.
If possible, do it in the open outside your RV. Then, equip yourself with any acid neutralizers, like baking soda, in case of accidental spills.
This is how to do the replacement in 5 easy steps:
Step 1: With your gloves on, remove the battery terminal caps, tilt the battery, and empty the old electrolyte out into an unreactive trash can.
Step 2: Pour distilled water into the battery and drain it to rinse out the residual electrolyte.
Step 3: Prepare the new electrolyte by mixing sulfuric acid or Epsom salt with distilled water. Use sulfuric acid only if you are a professional at it.
Step 4: Take the liquid electrolyte solution and pour it into the battery cell until both plates are fully submerged. Do not fill the battery. Leave a ¼ inch of space
Step 5: Seal the battery immediately with the caps snugly tight. Now you can charge your battery to hold power for later use.
Both methods are practical only if you have the necessary tools and supplies in place. It’s important to have the jump starter and the electrolyte liquid in your storage kit before embarking on your RV expedition. You should have everything you need on hand in the event of a crisis.
Essential RV Items in Case of Battery Failure
Planning for your RV journey carefully beforehand with the right gear saves you from frustrations. You might have lingering questions pertaining to what things you shouldn’t miss in your must-have emergency kit. We’re here to consolidate all the items to have on board before you take off.
Try to imagine the feeling where you’re relaxed because you've got it under control when the battery fails. You can accomplish that when you travel together with the following:
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Backup Power Sources: Solar panels or power banks to power your electronics when the battery shuts down.
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Spare battery: For battery replacement when it dies completely.
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Flashlight: Provides close-range lighting when inspecting or repairing your failed battery.
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Multimeter: For monitoring the battery voltage and other parameters to keep the battery in good health.
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Distilled Water: Comes to aid when cleaning and topping the electrolyte
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Basic Tool Kit: The kit has pliers, wrenches, and other mechanical tools for quick repairs.
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Smart Battery Chargers: For battery charging, and have even solar chargers for backup
Final Thoughts
Your battery is one of the most critical components of your RV, powering the car battery, lights, and appliances. Therefore, knowing how to revive it when it suddenly dies makes a huge difference between being stranded and continuing your journey smoothly to your next stopover.
Beyond battery maintenance, prepare for your RV trip by acknowledging the route in advance, checking the tire conditions, and packing enough food, water, and emergency supplies. Remember to also carry spare tires and meet the needed quantities with regard to the duration of time you’ll be on the trip.
