RV Battery & Converter Repair in Jensen Beach
Battery testing and replacement, converter diagnosis, charging system repair, and lithium upgrade service for every RV type.
772-356-0328Your RV's battery bank and converter work together to power everything that runs on 12 volts: lights, water pump, slide-out motors, control boards, and more. When the batteries are weak or the converter isn't charging properly, things stop working in ways that can be confusing to diagnose. Scott Marlins has been sorting out RV battery and converter problems across Jensen Beach for over a decade, and the pattern is clear. Florida's heat kills batteries faster than almost any other factor, and converters fail because they're trying to charge batteries that are already past their usable life.
TL;DR
- RV battery testing, replacement, and converter repair for all RV types
- Typical cost: $95 to $600 (standard batteries) or $800 to $2,500 (lithium upgrade)
- Florida heat cuts lead-acid battery life to 2 to 4 years on average
- Same-day mobile service with on-site battery load testing
- Call 772-356-0328 for a free estimate
How Florida Heat Destroys RV Batteries
Heat is the single biggest enemy of lead-acid batteries. According to Battery Council International, every 15-degree increase above 77 degrees Fahrenheit cuts battery life by roughly 50%. In Jensen Beach, where summer temperatures routinely hit 95 degrees and battery compartments can reach 130 degrees or more, standard lead-acid batteries simply don't last as long as the manufacturer suggests. The 5 to 7 year lifespan printed on the label assumes moderate northern climates. Here in Florida, 2 to 4 years is realistic.
The heat accelerates sulfation, which is the buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the battery plates. Sulfation reduces the battery's ability to hold a charge and deliver current. Once sulfation sets in deeply, no amount of charging will restore the battery to full capacity. You'll notice the water pump struggling, lights dimming when you run multiple 12V accessories, and the battery dying overnight when it used to last a weekend.
Heat also causes water loss in flooded lead-acid batteries. The electrolyte evaporates faster, exposing the lead plates to air. Once the plates are exposed, the damage is permanent. Checking and topping off battery water every month during Florida's summer is the single most effective maintenance step you can take. Distilled water only, never tap water.
Pro Tip
Check your RV battery water levels monthly between May and October. Florida's heat evaporates electrolyte fast. If you can see the tops of the lead plates, the battery has already suffered permanent damage. Keep the water level 1/4 inch above the plates at all times.
Converter Problems and Diagnosis
The converter takes 120V AC power from shore power or the generator and converts it to 13.6V DC to charge your batteries and run 12V accessories. When the converter fails, your batteries stop charging even though you're plugged in. You'll drain the batteries while connected to shore power without realizing it until things stop working.
Progressive Dynamics is the most common converter brand in RVs. Their Inteli-Power series (PD9260, PD9245, PD4655) uses a multi-stage charging algorithm that adjusts output based on battery condition. The charging board is the most common failure point. When it dies, the converter either stops charging entirely, gets stuck in one charging stage, or outputs incorrect voltage that can damage batteries.
WFCO is the second most common converter brand, and they tend to fail differently. WFCO converters often develop noisy cooling fans before the electronics fail. The fan bearings wear out and start buzzing or grinding, which is annoying but not immediately harmful. However, if the fan stops completely, the converter can overheat and damage its own charging circuitry.
We test converter output with a multimeter while the converter is under load. A healthy converter should produce between 13.2V and 14.4V depending on the charging stage. Output below 13.0V means the converter isn't charging effectively. Output above 14.8V means it's overcharging, which boils the electrolyte out of your batteries and can cause a fire hazard in extreme cases.
Battery Testing and Replacement
We don't guess about battery health. Every battery service call includes a proper load test, not just a voltage check. A battery can show 12.6V (fully charged) on a voltmeter and still fail under load because the internal plates are sulfated. A load test applies a controlled current draw and measures how well the battery maintains voltage under stress. That's the only way to know if a battery is actually good or just holding a surface charge.
When replacement is needed, we match the new batteries to your RV's electrical requirements. Most travel trailers use one or two Group 24 or Group 27 deep-cycle batteries. Fifth wheels and motorhomes often use two to four Group 27 or Group 31 batteries. We install the batteries, connect the cables with properly torqued terminals and corrosion protection, and verify that the converter is charging them correctly.
Lithium Battery Upgrades
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the biggest upgrade you can make to an RV's electrical system. They last 8 to 10 years regardless of climate, weigh about 60% less than equivalent lead-acid batteries, and provide consistent voltage throughout the entire discharge cycle (meaning your lights and pump don't dim as the battery drains). They can also be discharged to 80% or more of their capacity without damage, compared to only 50% for lead-acid.
The catch is cost. A single 100Ah lithium battery runs $800 to $1,200 (compared to $150 to $250 for a comparable lead-acid group). But when you factor in the lifespan difference (8 to 10 years vs. 2 to 4 years in Florida), lithium actually costs less per year of service. The math works out especially well for full-timers and frequent campers who cycle their batteries regularly.
Upgrading to lithium isn't just a battery swap. The converter needs to be reprogrammed or replaced to provide the correct charging profile for lithium cells (they need a different voltage curve than lead-acid). We handle the full conversion, including battery installation, converter adjustment, wiring upgrades if needed, and system testing.
Pricing
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Battery testing and diagnosis | $95 - $125 |
| Single battery replacement (lead-acid) | $150 - $275 |
| Dual battery replacement (lead-acid) | $275 - $450 |
| Converter charging board replacement | $175 - $350 |
| Full converter replacement | $300 - $600 |
| Lithium battery upgrade (single) | $800 - $1,400 |
| Lithium battery upgrade (dual with converter) | $1,500 - $2,500 |
Florida Factor
If you store your RV in Florida during summer without shore power, your batteries will self-discharge in the heat and can go below the point of recovery within 30 to 60 days. Either keep the RV plugged in with a working converter, or disconnect the batteries and store them in a cooler location. A fully discharged lead-acid battery in Florida heat sulfates permanently within weeks.
Common Battery and Converter Issues
The most frequent call we get is "my batteries won't hold a charge." About 60% of the time, the batteries are genuinely dead and need replacement. About 30% of the time, the converter has failed and the batteries are fine but deeply discharged. The remaining 10% is a wiring issue, usually a corroded terminal or a parasitic draw from a malfunctioning appliance that's draining the batteries when everything should be off.
Parasitic draws are tricky to find without the right tools. A small current draw (even 0.5 amps) will drain a fully charged Group 27 battery in about 10 days. We use a clamp meter on the battery cables to measure standby draw, then systematically disconnect circuits to isolate which one is pulling current. Common culprits include LP gas detectors, stereo head units, refrigerator control boards, and aftermarket accessories wired without proper switches.
Related Electrical Services
Call 772-356-0328 for a free estimate on any RV battery or converter issue.
Battery & Converter Repair Questions
How much does RV battery replacement cost in Jensen Beach?
RV battery replacement in Jensen Beach costs $150 to $400 for standard lead-acid batteries (parts and labor). Lithium battery upgrades run $800 to $2,500 depending on capacity. We test your old batteries on site and only recommend replacement when the cells are genuinely past their useful life.
How do I know if my RV converter is bad?
Common signs of a bad converter include batteries that won't charge while plugged into shore power, dim or flickering 12V lights, a buzzing or humming sound from the converter area, and 12V accessories that work on battery but not when connected to shore power. We test converter output voltage to confirm.
What's the difference between an RV converter and an inverter?
A converter takes 120V AC power (from shore or generator) and converts it to 12V DC to charge batteries and run 12V accessories. An inverter does the opposite, taking 12V DC battery power and converting it to 120V AC to run household outlets. Most RVs have a converter. Not all have an inverter.
How long do RV batteries last in Florida?
In Florida's heat, standard lead-acid RV batteries last 2 to 4 years. Heat is the biggest killer of lead-acid batteries, and sustained temps above 90 degrees accelerate sulfation and water loss. Lithium batteries handle heat better and typically last 8 to 10 years regardless of climate.
Can you upgrade my RV to lithium batteries?
Yes. Lithium battery upgrades are one of the best investments for RV owners in Florida. They last 3 to 4 times longer than lead-acid, weigh 60% less, and provide consistent voltage throughout the discharge cycle. We handle the full conversion including battery, wiring, and converter reprogramming.
Why are my RV 12V lights dim?
Dim 12V lights usually indicate either dying batteries or a failing converter. If lights are dim while on shore power, the converter probably isn't producing enough voltage (should be 13.2V to 14.4V). If lights are dim only on battery power, the batteries are likely sulfated or discharged beyond recovery.
Do you repair Progressive Dynamics converters?
Yes. Progressive Dynamics is the most common converter brand in RVs, and we service them regularly. The PD9260 and PD4655 are the models we see most often. Common repairs include replacing the charging board and fan motor. We also work on WFCO, Parallax, and Magnatek converters.
Can you test my RV batteries at my campsite?
Absolutely. We bring a battery load tester and multimeter to every call. We test resting voltage, load voltage, and specific gravity (on flooded lead-acid batteries) to determine exact battery health. This tells us whether your batteries need charging, maintenance, or replacement.
Battery or converter trouble?
We'll test it on site and give you an honest answer. Same-day service across Jensen Beach and Martin County.