If you own an RV, chances are you also have an RV battery to power it. As anyone who owns a vehicle will tell you, batteries aren’t perfect. They break down with time, usage, and weather conditions. To help you keep your battery in peak condition and avoid any potentially dangerous situations, this article covers how to check your RV battery for the best performance.
To start with, check the battery’s voltage. A good RV battery should have at least 12.7 volts. If it has anything less than that, it needs to be replaced or recharged. Healthy RV batteries will have between 12.4 and 12.8 volts, so if yours is below that range, it may be time for a replacement.
Inspect the watering system and charging system
Water in an RV battery can cause it to corrode and leak acid, which can be hazardous. It’s important to check your water level once a month. Check the connections on your battery for corrosion buildup as well. If you notice any corrosion, remove the cable from the terminal and wipe everything down with baking soda mixed with water.
The charging system is also important to check periodically. It’s easy to forget about this because you don’t have to charge your battery every day as you do with a cell phone or laptop.
Testing your RV’s alternator requires a multimeter and an assistant to help you perform the test. First, start the engine and give it some time for it to warm up. Then turn off the engine, remove the alternator belt, place one of the leads on each of the terminals in the alternator and measure the voltage. If your battery is weak and you have voltage readings below 12 volts on both terminals then that means your battery needs to be replaced soon.
Conclusion
Before you hit the road, it’s important to make sure your RV battery is in good shape. There are a few ways to tell if your battery is in good shape. First, check the voltage, then check the battery’s watering system and the charging system of your RV, and finally test your RV’s alternator. If it fails and starts producing less than 14 volts, it’s time for a replacement or repair. contact us today for more tips on different types of batteries and AGM technology.