Water Pump Overloading Batteries

[Dogfish]

And thank you for these additional responses as well. You guys are great! The ammeter and a proper equalization for the Lifelines will be my first steps as soon as I can get back to it. Unfortunately this will not be for a few months. I'm thinking it's the batteries/charging problems now since, as was pointed out to me here, the voltage is getting too low even before the pump starts--and besides the pump all I'm running are a few lights, fans, and sometimes a charger for a phone or a computer. I may also be able to borrow a proper load tester.

The filter is just the kind with a metal mesh for catching large particles, not a charcoal filter--but if it turns out that the pump is drawing too much I will turn my attention there. Thanks again! Happy Fourth!

[Dogfish]

Just thought I'd finish this thread since I realized I never did. For the record, an equalization charge to the Lifelines completely solved the problem. I had to buy a new controller to do it--a Xantrex C35--but all seems well now so I'm very happy. I never knew how important doing this was. Thanks again to everyone!