A dead RV battery shows up in one of two ways. Either the engine won't crank (the chassis battery, on a motorhome), or the inside of the RV is dead: no lights, no water pump, slides and jacks won't move (the house batteries). Figure out which one you have first. Our guide to house vs. chassis batteries explains the difference.
Two-minute checks for a dead house side
- Battery disconnect switch. Most RVs have one, near the entry door or in the battery compartment. It gets bumped off more often than you'd think.
- Shore power. If you are plugged in, is the pedestal breaker on? Is the RV's main breaker on? Does the converter fan run?
- The main fuse or breaker near the batteries. Many RVs have a reset-style breaker or a large fuse right by the batteries.
- Corroded or loose terminals. White or green crust on a terminal can stop power completely.
Two-minute checks for a motorhome that won't crank
- Chassis battery disconnect, if your coach has a separate one.
- Aux start or boost button on the dash. Holding it while cranking ties the house batteries in to help start. It only helps if the house batteries are charged.
- Clicking vs. nothing. A rapid click usually means a weak battery or bad connection. Nothing at all can be a disconnect, a dead battery or a safety switch (park/neutral).
When to call us
If those don't fix it, or the batteries are clearly old, text us where you are. We will test the batteries and charging, jump start if the battery is just drained, or replace it on the spot if it is done.
Why it died
Batteries rarely die for no reason. Common culprits: a long stretch on battery without recharging, small loads draining it in storage, a converter that quit charging, an alternator or isolator problem, or plain old age in Florida heat. We look for the cause so it doesn't happen again tomorrow. See why your RV battery keeps dying.
Questions we get about this
Can a dead RV battery be recharged?
Often, if it has not sat dead for long. A lead-acid battery left fully discharged for days or weeks, especially in heat, may not recover fully.
Will plugging into shore power fix it?
If your converter works, plugging in will run most 12-volt systems and start charging the batteries. If nothing comes on even when plugged in, the problem is likely a fuse, disconnect or converter.