Simple Guide to Battery Life in Your RV

This guide explains the 12-volt battery system found in all RV’s and how to properly maintain them. There is specific information relating to Magnum Inverter/Chargers and Newmar motorhomes that use these chargers. Even if your system does not have Magnum equipment, much of the document will apply to any system.

Ronnie F. Moller, Jr.


Revisions

Revision 4: Release May 29, 2019

  • Clarified that multi-mode final charge will stop charging until the battery voltage is below 12.7v.
  • Corrected/Updated the information on Lifeline batteries and the proper custom settings.

Thanks to Don (757driver) for these corrections.

Revision 3: Release May 3, 2019

  • Clarified that AGM batteries have a slower self-discharge rate. Previous wording incorrectly stated they had a slower discharge rate.
  • Fixed Figure 6 image of factory wiring, it had a missing jumper wire in the image
  • Clarified the maximum safe discharge of a battery bank
  • Added additional instructions for utilizing the ME-BMK and ME-ARC to maximize battery consumption for maximum boon docking per charge.

Revision 2: Release May 2, 2019

  • Minor typographical errors corrected.
  • The formula for Battery bank capacity under “Personal Settings Record” was corrected
  • Additional details where added for “Why you need a current-based estimation system”

Revision 1: Released May 1, 2019 – Initial release