Have I killed the [old] batteries?

[lhalbert]

Hi All,

We (my husband and I - "Gabbi" on this site) finally have our 1997 Concourse back from serious brake work. The van is mechanically healthy now. But I am not sure if I might have killed the old batteries that came from the prior owner...

Unfortunately, I didn't read the manual early on when we got the van, and I did not push the "Coach batteries - in use/charging" button, and the batteries discharged pretty low (can't find my volt meter right now to check the level...). We are plugged in at home tonight to try to get the batteries to take a charge. I have verified the shore power connection (the microwave lights up).

The manual is a bit confusing... it states that the "Coach batteries" button must be pushed on whether to use or charge the batteries, but when I do that the LVD alarms and immediately kicks off the battery connection. So how do the batteries take a charge if they are so low that the LVD disconnects things - and won't reconnect? It looks like we will be getting new batteries - but if I can avoid having to do that right now, I would like to wait a bit.

Thanks for any ideas on this,
Lee-Ann

[lhalbert]

I think I have answered my question. The prior owner said they were going...

Found my multimeter. One battery is 12.06, the other 12.11. Looks like time to replace...

[chin_k]

That is not too bad if it is not fully charged.... try to use the charger to get them up and see if they can hold charge. Do it soon, since the longer you wait, the more deterioration to the batteries.

As you said, the switch should be on when the shore power is plugged in. If it does not shut the alarm on the LVD up, you may have to use a car battery charger and do it one by one. If you don't have a charger, you can try to bring it to auto part store (autozone, etc) and ask them to charge it for you. They also can run load test on it and let you know if they are still good. Don't throw it away unless you check the water level (I assume it is the wet type, not sealed) and have it in proper density, etc. They are pricey and I would get every bit of it out as possible.

[chin_k]

I think the LVD will eventually shut up after a while... if you have a voltmeter, see if the charger is sending power to the battery when plugged in and switch is on... the battery voltage at the terminal should jump to 14.4 (???) when the charger is working, but you have have some voltage drop due to the resistance in the wiring.

[lhalbert]

Thanks for all the ideas. I rechecked w/my multimeter (voltmeter) - and was at 10.5 on one, 10.8 on the other. Advance Auto Parts also checked - and found one had a dead cell. Batteries are from 2015 at best, 2005 at worst (only one digit fir date...’05 or ‘15... couldn’t tell). We ended up getting two new agm batteries...so at least I don’t have to check for water! Both made in Oct 2019 - so I feel good w/these.

Time to get out and have fun!

[chin_k]

I guess the previous owner get a bit out of them already. Glad that you will be having fun