Do I need house batteries if I am plugged in to 30 amp service?

[skedman]

We are going to be moving into a motor home FT next month and purchased a used RV.  It is at a dealer for a maintenance check.  One of the things they said needed attention was the 2 6v batteries need to be replaced.  The park that we will be moving to has 30 amp service.  Do I still need the batteries or will the "shore power" be all we need?  My wife and I are a little bit confused on this point and any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

 

[Arch Hoagland]

You need the batteries.    You could probably run without them but if the power goes out you are in trouble. 

Costco sells 6 volt batteries for about $90.  Relatively easy to replace. 

How much is the dealer charging you to replace them? 

 

[Jim Godward]

i agree, you need batteries.  You don't say what kind of converter you have but many do not filter the 12 volt DC very well and use the batteries to stabilize/smooth the 12 volt output. 
Provide the name and model of the converter and we can give better answers but in any case, having the batteries is the best way to go.
The Costco batteries are excellent and are what I have used for years.

 

[Prior member]

On my brand new Forest River trailer, even though I am plugged into a 50 amp service, I need the battery to operate the tongue jack, stabilizers, awning and the slide out.
It seems stupid, but that is the way it is

Jack L

 

[Back2PA]

You could substitute a single inexpensive Walmart ?marine deep cycle? 12V battery for probably under $75

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

My thought is the same as Scott's - just install a single 12v marine/RV type battery and it should last 3 years or so.  That assumes that you spend nearly all your time in an RV park with electric hook-ups.  If you will travel more or spend even one night without shore power, get the 2x 6v configuration instead. That will double the time you can last without eternal power.

You are more likely to regret having only 30A shore power than having limited battery capacity.

 

[decaturbob]

We are going to be moving into a motor home FT next month and purchased a used RV.  It is at a dealer for a maintenance check.  One of the things they said needed attention was the 2 6v batteries need to be replaced.  The park that we will be moving to has 30 amp service.  Do I still need the batteries or will the "shore power" be all we need?  My wife and I are a little bit confused on this point and any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

can you, sure.. should you, never

 

[steveblonde]

Yes you need the batteries to complete the circuit- however a 12 volt will work. But it must be a working battery -not a dead used one . 2 6volts will cost more than 1 12volt

 

[John From Detroit]

Not only "What they said" but some stuff on MY RV draws more power than my converter can convert. So the batteries are a MUST for those devices (One slide out and the macerator toilet).

I also have had more than one night of "lights out" as some idiot doign 90 in a 45 misses the curve but nails the power pole.

 

[skedman]

You need the batteries.    You could probably run without them but if the power goes out you are in trouble. 

Costco sells 6 volt batteries for about $90.  Relatively easy to replace. 

How much is the dealer charging you to replace them?

The Fresno dealer (I see that you are in Clovis!) wants over $350 and another $150 in labor to replace them.  I knew that was WAAAAYYYY too much.  I will replace them myself.

Thanks to all for the replies.  My main concern right now is money.  I have been out of work for 5 months now and the bank is wanting their house back since we can't afford to make our mortgage payments and this will be our new home for the foreseeable future.  I was just needing to know if the batteries were 100% necessary (not just for when the power goes out).  The manuals don't even mention the house batteries and I couldn't find anything anywhere else. 

 

[garyb1st]

Just get a 12 volt deep cycle at Costco, Sams, Walmart or anywhere else for about $75.00 - 100.00.  Put it in yourself.  It's a tug, but I can do it and I'm in my 70's.  Don't risk losing power to your fridge if the campground power goes out.  That will set you back as much as a new battery. 

 

[KandT-THOR]

The Fresno dealer (I see that you are in Clovis!) wants over $350 and another $150 in labor to replace them.  I knew that was WAAAAYYYY too much.  I will replace them myself.

Thanks to all for the replies.  My main concern right now is money.  I have been out of work for 5 months now and the bank is wanting their house back since we can't afford to make our mortgage payments and this will be our new home for the foreseeable future.  I was just needing to know if the batteries were 100% necessary (not just for when the power goes out).  The manuals don't even mention the house batteries and I couldn't find anything anywhere else.

$350 and $150??????  They don't need to be made of gold and installed by a prince!!

 

[kdbgoat]

Whether you are going with two 6 volt or one 12 volt, ensure you know how to hook them up. Mark all wiring before removing any, and if possible, take pictures. It seems battery connections are one of those things that gets messed up easily, and if done wrong, can cost a bunch of aggravation and some money.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

The Fresno dealer (I see that you are in Clovis!) wants over $350 and another $150 in labor to replace them.  I knew that was WAAAAYYYY too much.  I will replace them myself.

Thanks to all for the replies.  My main concern right now is money.  I have been out of work for 5 months now and the bank is wanting their house back since we can't afford to make our mortgage payments and this will be our new home for the foreseeable future.  I was just needing to know if the batteries were 100% necessary (not just for when the power goes out).  The manuals don't even mention the house batteries and I couldn't find anything anywhere else.

That dealer isn't by any chance having a "Fire Sale" is he?

 

[skedman]

That dealer isn't by any chance having a "Fire Sale" is he?

Could be...LOL

 

[NewmanRacing]

Test the batteries yourself. There may be enough life left in them to last a while.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

That dealer told me I had to replace both my O2 sensors every two years at a cost of $600.  Yeah. Right.

 

[skedman]

Same here.  If we have to, we will just put in battery operated ones like we have in the house.

We also haven't been thrilled with their customer service.  We took the motor home in on Monday (had to wait three weeks for an appointment) and we called many times.  They never answered their phone and didn't get back to us until Wednesday afternoon.  And then the only part of the inspection they had any info for was the interior stuff.  They were supposed to call us back yesterday morning with the chassis portion of the quote and we are still waiting.  The guy mentioned something about the brakes, but they seem just fine.

 

[AStravelers]

Unless the batteries are completely dead YOU DON'T NEED NEW BATTERIES. Just leave the old ones in.  You are going to be on shore power 24/7.  If the shore power goes out, you are no worse off than if you were in a house and the power goes off.

Once you get the MH to the place you are staying at, take a voltmeter and check the voltage while connected to shore power.  It should be around 13.4V.  Unplug from shore power and monitor the voltage.  Assuming you don't have LED light bulbs, turn on 3-4 lights and any other 12V devices off. (You can leave the fridge on, it only pulls about 1/2 amp)  After an hour or so the voltage should be around 12.6V which indicates a battery at 100% charged.  After 4-6 hours it may drop to 12.4V or so. If it drops below 12V you have weak batteries, but they are not toast.  If they are down to 11V they are very weak and you need to replace them at some time in the future.

You can get a volt meter at Amazon or any big box store for under $20.  Some are even under $10 and would serve you well. 

 

[Back2PA]

Unless the batteries are completely dead YOU DON'T NEED NEW BATTERIES. Just leave the old ones in.  You are going to be on shore power 24/7.  If the shore power goes out, you are no worse off than if you were in a house and the power goes off.

Once you get the MH to the place you are staying at, take a voltmeter and check the voltage while connected to shore power.  It should be around 13.4V.  Unplug from shore power and monitor the voltage.  Assuming you don't have LED light bulbs, turn on 3-4 lights and any other 12V devices off. (You can leave the fridge on, it only pulls about 1/2 amp)  After an hour or so the voltage should be around 12.6V which indicates a battery at 100% charged.  After 4-6 hours it may drop to 12.4V or so. If it drops below 12V you have weak batteries, but they are not toast.  If they are down to 11V they are very weak and you need to replace them at some time in the future.

You can get a volt meter at Amazon or any big box store for under $20.  Some are even under $10 and would serve you well.

Agree. Check to be sure every cell of each battery is properly filled with distilled water. Once it's been plugged in for awhile, say overnight, in addition to everything suggested, put your hand on the sides of the batteries. Somewhat warm is OK, hot is not and likely indicates a shorted cell.