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lifeline battery problems

Yahoo Message Number: 99710
Hello

I am having trouble with my batteries. I have 4 (3 year old)8d lifelines with an rs3000 inverter. I used to get 8 hours running fridge, tv and a couple lights. Now its down to 2 and a half. The batteries after charge and sitting for a couple of hours are all at 13.1. I put a 100amp load test and they held voltage at 12.8.The inverter shuts down at 12.2 and goes into fault. There is not enough in the batterys to start the generator . At 12.2 I put the load test on the whole bank and voltage drops to 8. I am confused as to why at 12.2 they are not performing. Any suggestions as to what to check next?

Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99711
Don't know where you are located.  I had Butch at Fountain RV check my lifelines and gave me a readout of each battery and whether they were weak or good.  I'm sure a lot of places could do the same thing.  At least then you would know for sure if the batteries were ok.

-Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue 530
#12055

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99713
Not sure if you load tested each battery or the entire bank. Testing the  bank will not tell you the condition of each battery. But The batteries with no  charging source should be 12.6 13.xx indicates they are being charged. So it is  hard to determine exactly what you are saying . One of the first things I would  look for is a corroded or bad connection, including the grounds.

Mikee

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99714
I disconnected all battery's and tested separately. They all showed 13.1 after 4 hours rest. I then placed a 100 amp load for 10 seconds on each battery. They fell to 12.7. I then reconnected the bank and verified the connections and plugged back in. The next day I unplugged and started checking voltages. Test started at 11.30 inverting with fridge, tv and couple lights at 11:20 -12.9.volts.11:22-12.5v,11:24-12.4v,11:52-12.4v,12:30-12.4v,1:00-12.4v, 2:00-12.2v with inverter shut down and insufficient amperage to start gen. Draw on test was 40 amp dc with inverter putting out 121v at 3.5amps. Im confused as to why nor amperage at 12.2v. The gen is set to start at 11.7v and obviously would not start at that voltage since no capacity at that voltage. The one thing im wondering is perhaps the batterys are not fully charge. On absorbsion the charger is putting out 40 amps.
Ideas?
Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99718
Rod, have you checked all the lights in the bays? If by chance a couple of those are on, it could pull the batteries down. 40 amps on float sounds about right. You could have one bad battery in the group of three, especially if you are seeing 8 volts.

Don

'02 Intrigue 11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99720
Hi Don

The charger was showing 40 amps on absorption and then dropped to 8 on float. Last year before the Redmond ralley I checked and they ran allmost 9 hours before getting to 11.7v. What im trying to figure out is why they showed 12.2 but not enough juice to start gen. Inverter is set to shut down at 11.7 also but now is shutting down at 12.2v. all four batts started out at 13.1v. I will call lifeline tomorrow. I have the xantrex rs3000 inverter and am suspicious its not performing correctly. It doesn't  sound or feel the same as the inverter in the inspire. In the inspire when bulk charging the cables were warm and you could tell it was working With this inverter charger the cable are cool and the inverter sounds the same as inverting. Part of the fun is figuring out the problems.
Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99723
Rod,

What you are describing is starting to sound like sulfated batteries. Have  those numbers available when you talk to Lifeline. They may ask you to equalize  them, which is a 15.5 volts for as long as 8 hours.
 The high rested voltage (13.1), the low charge rate, and rapid discharge is  typical of sulfated batteries. You also may have a battery with an  internal intermittent short or open condition.

Let us know what Lifeline has to say.

Mikee

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99729
Rod, I meant to say 40 on absorb sounds about right. I show 3 amps on float, also 13.1 volts on float. It will be interesting to see what Lifeline has to say about equalization. I have never done it in the 11 years ow having the batteries so maybe it is time for me also.

Don
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99730
Rodney, if your batteries are discharged at least 20% your Xantrex should  be kicking in a lot more than 40 amps on heavy absorption. I am not clear how  discharged they are.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99731
I talked to lifeline and he said they were low on electrolyte do to over charging. My float voltage is 13.7 which is apparently to high. I need to first see if I can change the float setting in the xantrex. If not I may need to consider getting a new inverter.I will talk to xantrex today.
Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99732
What did they tell you the float voltage should be?  If I  remember correctly it should be between 13.2 and 13.4 Absorption    14.2 to 14.4

Mikee

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99733
Rod,

It's important to make sure your inverter/charger is set for AGM and not flooded batteries.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99735
They recommended 13.1 to 13.2. I have confirmed its set to agm but need to talk to silverleaf to see if I can reduce the charge.
Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99739
Silverleaf is looking into whether I can change the voltage on the rs3000 but their first thought is no. They can with the newer sw3000. I may need to buy another inverter so would need to choose between a xantrex sw3000 or the 2810 magnum. Not sure if the slightly smaller magnum would be a problem. Thoughts? Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99742
Rod, if you are dead set on buying a new inverter, you might as well and go all the way with the Magnum 3012. Magnum Energy MSH3012M 3000 Watt 12V Inverter/Charger with 120VAC Output

It is the latest in technology and iMarine is the cheapest place to buy.
 I would spend some more time before I spent the bux on a new inverter, controller, auto gen start, and battery monitor.

Don
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99744
Thanks for the info. Im not thrilled with the idea of replacing but I didn't realize the batteries were being charged at 13.7 on float. Lifeline is saying I can keep the rig unplugged and charge manually but that sucks. Xantex is saying my rs3000 is obsolete and they dont think I can change the setting but I can on the new xantrex sw3000. Silverleaf is checking but the so far don't think the setting is adjustable but are looking to see if there is a workaround with a possible update. If they cant I will likely go with magnum if it supported by silverleaf. How do you like your magnum inverter? Rod

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99749
Rod,

You might want to consider buying a Battery Minder Let it charge your batteries and disconnect the battery charge

circuit from your inverter.

I did that years ago, little cost works great.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Re: lifeline battery problems

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99754
If your current inverter is meeting your need, the lower cost way to go is the stand alone Battery Minder (or some other kind).

If you decide to replace the Inverter/Charger, agree with Don's recommendation on the Magnum. I missed it by just a few months, as I had the MS2812 installed. With our Solar Panel system, I really would have liked the newer tech unit:)!

Sorry to hear about your young batteries being probably toasted. Lifeline's pretty sharp on looking at the numbers, and if they're 'cooked' beyond bringing back - not much else you can do but replace them (OUCH!).

Best of luck on this,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017 (With X's 4 L16's Lifeline's)
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)