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06-22-2009, 02:00 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 90
SUN #864
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How does a marine battery work??
This is our first experience with a marine battery. A few weeks ago I checked the battery level on the buttons over the stove and it was 3/4 charged. We haven't used the TT, but now there's no charge showing. As far as I know the only thing using power would have been the clock light on the radio. Does the battery lose power on its own??
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Nancy and Pat
2006 T-1950
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 with a "Hemi!"
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06-22-2009, 02:54 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 90
SUN #864
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Now I'm really confused!! I plugged the TT into our house electricity, thinking that this charges the battery--correct??? But as soon as it was plugged in, the buttons over the sink showed that the battery was fully charged!! How could that be?? Before I plugged it in, nothing worked. Anyway, we're going to leave it plugged in for awhile and then disconnect it till we go camping--I realize the LP detector and clock radio could have drained the battery. What is the proper care and use of the battery???
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Nancy and Pat
2006 T-1950
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 with a "Hemi!"
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06-22-2009, 03:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,025
SUN #292
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Battery
The reason your display showed a full charge is that the battery monitor is probably connected to the battery or something that connects directly to it like the converter. When you plug the trailer in the converter comes on and prodcues full voltage to charge the battery. If you unplug the trailer and wait a while you will see the actual charge of the battery on your monitor.
I generally leave my trailer plugged in all the time. The converter than provides a trickle charge to the battery.
In the bigger RVs there are all kinds of things that draw power, some one never thinks of. For example, the TV in our motor home has instant on and always draws power.
Norm Milliard
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06-22-2009, 03:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 177
SUN #680
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Your single 12-volt battery is probably setup just like mine... my converter will charge the battery when the coach is connected to shore power (110-volt). This may be what you are seeing when you "test" the battery with the system panel button.
I have been told that the charging portion of my converter is OK, but it's not the best battery charger... it's the original and it does not provide true 3-stage charging OR the desirable desulfinating mode, which apparently helps the battery remain healthier longer.
I own a marine 3-stage battery charger from GUEST... it's a Charge Pro 6-amp model. I've used it for a number of years to charge 12-volt batteries in my lawn tractor, my motorcycle and my truck. It works with the deep cycle battery on the Sunline, too.
If your battery has removable caps, allowing you to check the electrolyte levels, you should do this regularly. Remember that you're only supposed to add distilled water to a battery, not tap water, if you have to add any at all.
There is a GREAT website on 12-volt power... http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
All sorts of info there.
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Dave & Cindy
'99 Chevrolet 2500 ext. cab (2WD)
5.3 liter V8, 3.73LS, Prodigy, Hensley Arrow
2004 Sunline Solaris SE T-2499 #5527
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06-22-2009, 06:18 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 473
SUN #395
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When all of the lights on your battery monitor are lit (plugged into shore power) it means that the battery is being charged. When you unplug the coach from shore power the monitor will show you your actual battery power level.
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Lowell, Amanda, Marley, and Winnie
1996 T-2053 (First Sunline "Little One")
2001 T-295SR (Favorite Sunline)
2003 F-304SR (Last Sunline "The Big One")
1985 T-1650 (Current Sunline)
2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 HO Cummins
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06-22-2009, 06:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 545
SUN #67
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As everyone already said, any time you're plugged in the monitor will show fully charged. The radio and LP detector will probably drain a single battery in a week. Since you have a 2006 you should have a good 3 stage charger and there should be a disconnect switch on the front of your trailer just behind the battery. Make sure the switch is on while you have the trailer plugged in, this will let the battery charge. After the battery is fully charged, turn the switch off, this will keep the battery from going dead.
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Mike & Roz
2018 Grand Design 315RLTS
2023 Ford F-350 Lariat PSD/CC/LB/FX4
Sunlines= '06-2075, '06-264SR
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06-23-2009, 05:51 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 90
SUN #864
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So---we unplugged the "shoreline" and turned the dial on the battery so that it says "off." Are we all set till we want to camp? The inside monitors show no battery power now. So much to learn....I assume if you bought a TT from a dealer they would tell you all this!!
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Nancy and Pat
2006 T-1950
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 with a "Hemi!"
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06-23-2009, 08:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 124
SUN #856
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Where can I get a system panel cover. Mine was missing when I bought it used. I have the frame just not the cover. thanks!
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06-23-2009, 10:33 PM
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,654
SUN #89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy G.
So much to learn....I assume if you bought a TT from a dealer they would tell you all this!!
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Nancy, the folks here have given you good info. A dealer would be able to tell you this, however you would have to directly ask it. Your questions are not a normal part of every pre delivery inspection.
Welcome to the club and ask away at any time. Everyone is willing to help from their experiances. And soon you will be passing along to others as well.
Welcome
John
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
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06-23-2009, 11:38 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,654
SUN #89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markbrit
Where can I get a system panel cover. Mine was missing when I bought it used. I have the frame just not the cover. thanks!
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Markbrit
What make and model convertor do you have? Sunline used many different ones over the years.
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
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