battery problem?

[SPC CPA]

Within 4-5 hours of not running the engines or removing shore power, the CO detectors signal low battery. The batteries are 2 seasons old and stored in my basement with monthly charges done during the winter. The problem has been there both seasons, but is getting worse.

Are both batteries weak? They were load tested in '05 and '06.

Could there be an electrical system problem causing them to drain very quickly?

Using the radio or TV should not drain the batteries that quickly. So far, the engines have always started.

Steve

 

[Oasis]

The best tool I ever bought is a battery load tester. They are not that expensive. Isolate the batteries by removing the cables and test the battery with the tester. It only takes one bad cell to produce the symptoms you describe. Rehook the battery and start the engine. The load tester should also tell you if your charging system is working.

Good Luck.

 

[Gary001]

Does your engines still start? Then its not the batteries. CO detectors use minimal current.

 

[PascalG]

do both batteries do that ? are they both used for house duties ?

or is only one battery used for house loads and the other one to start the engines? i would guess so otherwise you woudln't be able to start...

the first thing to do is to check voltage before shutting down the engines (should be 13.5 or so with the engines at fast idle), then after you shut down, like every hour to see what's going on.

are there any other symptoms like dimmed lights, weak pump, etc... ?