Q&A for How to Charge Your RV Battery

You can charge your batteries by plugging your camper into a household 120-volt electric outlet at home or a campground.

Test your alternator to be sure it is putting out 12-14V. If it is, check your battery -- it may have bad cells and be unable to accept a full charge. Also, check your cables to and from the battery for any corrosion, as this is a sign of a bad connection. Check all grounds thoroughly -- this is the leading cause of most shorts.

Positive to positive, negative to negative is parallel; series is negative to positive, negative to positive. Parallel will not double your volts but will double your amps; series will double your volts and not your amps.

One of them should have a red end on it, if not you need to mark it yourself. Where the cables connect to the converter you will see a "+" sign above or below the connection and a "-" on the other end.

Because there is no battery isolator to protect your auto battery from depleting.

I would think it should. The inverter should charge the batteries once the 50 amp hookup is connected.

It should recharge itself while you are plugged in at the site. If it doesn't, then check for corrosion of the charging cables or points.

Yes. Just like a car battery, your Coach batteries will be charged by your alternator.

It sounds like your battery may be at the end of its life, and you should get it tested at a local auto parts store. Alternatively, there could be a parasitic draw, where an electronic device is using the battery even when everything is off. You can check this with a multimeter set to read amperage by connecting it in series between the negative battery terminal and the negative battery cable. If there is a high draw, pull fuses to find which system has the problem.

Yes, you can safely connect four batteries in parallel and have an alternator charge them, but there are important factors to consider. Ensure the batteries are the same type, age, and capacity to avoid uneven charging. Use appropriately sized wiring and fuses to handle current and prevent short circuits or overheating. Make sure your alternator is strong enough to charge all four batteries and that they have the same voltage. A battery management system or DC-DC charger can help regulate the charging process.

Yes, before reconnecting a lithium battery to your RV, it’s a good idea to turn the breaker to the off position. This helps prevent any electrical surges or issues when connecting the battery. Turning off the breaker ensures that the system is not active while you are working on the battery connections, reducing the risk of short circuits or electrical shocks. Once the battery is connected, you can turn the breaker back on to power the RV system.

Yes, you can recharge an RV battery by connecting it to your tow vehicle while driving, provided your vehicle has the appropriate charging system. Many vehicles can supply power to the RV battery through the trailer's 7-pin connector, although the charge may not fully recharge the battery. Using a DC-DC charger can ensure the RV battery charges properly while driving. Make sure your vehicle's system is set up for this.

Yes, you can charge your RV battery while connected to shore power if your RV has an onboard charger or converter. Most RVs are equipped with a converter that allows shore power to charge the battery while also powering the RV's electrical system. If your RV doesn't have a converter, you may need an external charger. Always check your RV's manual for specific details about your charging system.