Battery Drain

[ddjohnson49@yahoo.com]

Had a similar problem and discovered my new Ford truck did not have the fuse inserted for the trailer plug connection, do I was draining the battery while hooked up to the truck.

[phillyg]

Really more like 2-3 years if they're properly maintained and not run down below 11 volts.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by phillyg

Really more like 2-3 years if they're properly maintained and not run down below 11 volts.

I have had an original pair of 27 batteries last 6 years. Keep the water up, keep them charged above 12, and use a real cut off when not in use.

[CVNCheng]

I have a couple of 6V golf cart batteries I picked up at Sam's Club. No issues in 2 years. Since I installed an auto leveling system I'm noticing more parasitic drain. To that end, I picked up a 20W solar panel / charge controller on Amazon and mount it to the hitch when storing. Keeps up with any parasitic losses.

[Rodp454]

In addition to those mentioned below your furnace has a 12v fan if not turned off. If you have a switchable propane/120vac fridge it draws 12v to switch on off in the propane mode and the thermostat contolled fridge vent fans are 12v. If you have a residential fridge with a 12v to 120vac inverter that can kill a battery.

[Lenny K]

The dealer is trying to sell batteries. As long as you get your batteries charged up fully every few days, don't run them dead and don't park your trailer between camping trips without the battery being fully charged there is no reason not to get lots of years out of them. As Capt John said don't forget to water them. Use distilled water.

[glw1973]

You know I had a feeling he was in the business of selling batteries, but I can’t blame it all on him. I failed to disconnect the battery completely. I thought the battery cutoff completely disconnected everything and it doesn’t.

[coachgrowl]

If you drain a lead acid battery to zero the first time it will come back about 80 percent. If you keep doing it after about 5 times going to zero it is pretty much useless. Lead acid batteries are made for trucks and cars not rv's. Just my 3 cents. Dealers are in the business of selling everything if you looked at most of their bottom lines you would be shocked at how most are just hanging on by a thread. Just my 3 cents.

[Montana Man]

These trailers draw current even if the battery switch is off. Best bet is to install a quality shutoff switch wired directly at the battery. Problem solved.

[AZ Traveler]

Originally Posted by coachgrowl

If you drain a lead acid battery to zero the first time it will come back about 80 percent. If you keep doing it after about 5 times going to zero it is pretty much useless. Lead acid batteries are made for trucks and cars not rv's. Just my 3 cents. Dealers are in the business of selling everything if you looked at most of their bottom lines you would be shocked at how most are just hanging on by a thread. Just my 3 cents.

Lead acid batteries can provide good service and last for years in RVs when maintained and used properly. The only batteries that work a lot better are the new lithium - they are very costly to buy (around $1000 each). AGM batteries are basically lead acid which require less maintenance but can be ruined very quickly when discharged too far similar to regular lead acid types.

[jcurtis934]

All depends on the quality of the battery, how it is treated over its installed life, and what type of rv lifestyle in general. My first lower quality battery started going downhill after two years. In my previous diesel pusher with quality batteries, this didn't happen until I was in year five.