Battery Problem

[JRock]

I have a 2003 Jayco Greyhawk that seems to have an issue with the battery running down. In the winter, we store it inside at the Ingham County fairgrounds and when its time to pick it up, it always needs a jump. Now I have had it in my driveway since March and tried to start it yesterday..nothink. I put a battery charger on it overnight and now at least when I try and start it I get a little click and I can hear the smoke detectors beeping, but it still won't trunover and the battery charger is not showing it being fully charges. Ok, I am a little embarrassed to ask these questions, but I am no electrical expert. I know there are 2 sets of batteries on the camper. One for the engine and the other that you charge with a plug in the back. It seems like the electrical of the camper is running down the battery in the truck part. How do I prevent this when the camper is just sitting idly. Should I charge the back part before I try and charge the battery in the engine part? Sorry for my ignorance, but any help would be appreciated.

[Oct.1]

Everything in your camper except for high energy items such as Air Conditioning, Microwave, ect. runs off you battery. I am pretty sure both batteries are charged while your vehicle engine is running. During storage things like your refrigerator moister sensor, your fire alarms and carbon monoxide tester are powered off your batteries while they are connected.
The best thing to do is remove the batteries and store them where you can periodically keep them charged. If you can’t remove them make sure they are fully charged and disconnect them. Keeping them fully charged may keep them from freezing.

[JRock]

Thanks for the info. I will try and make sure when I have it at home that I start it periodically. It finally started yesterday after having the battery charger on for a day. I store it at away from the house in a barn at the fairgrounds over thw winter so it's hard to get access. Guess I could remove the batteries after it's parked.

[kroppe]

It's good practice to disconnect or remove the batteries when the unit will be stored for any length of time, for the reasons above..

[Kuz]

I had the same problem with mine. What I did was, I mounted a battery dissconnect switch in my battery compartment. Whenever I park the camper I just turn the swith off. It is alot easier than constantly taking cables on and off the battery.

[CL-Lewiston]

If I understand it correctly-2 batts-1 in camper and one to run engine.

That is the arrangement I have on a slide in camper on 95 GMC 1500. Both batts under the hood.
Should have an isolator between #1 and #2 batts. #2 can be charged as going down road but NOT discharged in campground/storage.