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01-13-2018, 05:25 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Current draw value when battery disconnect switch is off
Hi I have a 2018 HV 379RD. as you know there are things that are still connected to the battery with the switch off. Unfortunately ours is in storage most of the time. I have 2 options I am looking at. Separate battery disconnect switch or small solar panel to supply just enough to supply power to the devices still running and to keep battery fully charged.
I can buy a clamp on amp probe and measure, but before I do that, has anyone measured the current draw already?
Has anyone already done this?
Thanks
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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01-13-2018, 05:41 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
Hi I have a 2018 HV 379RD. as you know there are things that are still connected to the battery with the switch off. Unfortunately ours is in storage most of the time. I have 2 options I am looking at. Separate battery disconnect switch or small solar panel to supply just enough to supply power to the devices still running and to keep battery fully charged.
I can buy a clamp on amp probe and measure, but before I do that, has anyone measured the current draw already?
Has anyone already done this?
Thanks
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Hi
The standard Amprob clamp on test unit doesn’t measure DC amps.
I will see if I can find the make and model of my DC test unit.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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01-13-2018, 07:02 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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I took the easy solution, mounted a blade cutoff switch directly on the negative post. If power is available, a trickle charger with auto shutoff is another option. Use one on our boat. Good question on the draw, would be good to know.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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01-13-2018, 09:16 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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I added a real cutoff switch. When stored for the summer batteries hold swell. Never lower than 12.9 over 2 1/2 months.
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01-13-2018, 10:03 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,190
M.O.C. #6433
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For only once or twice per year, just lift a battery cable. Or install a cutoff switch that mounts directly on the battery.
You can buy AC/DC amp clamps at Home Depot, Lowes, or similar. Cost a little more than an AC only clamp, but not prohibitively so.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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01-13-2018, 01:11 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: St. Petersburg
Posts: 343
M.O.C. #4828
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Battery
Why not just unhook the battery if the unit is going to be in storage for 2-4 weeks. Simple, easy and no worry about a short circuit or something shorting out. Be Safe
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01-13-2018, 01:53 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deerrahn
Why not just unhook the battery if the unit is going to be in storage for 2-4 weeks. Simple, easy and no worry about a short circuit or something shorting out. Be Safe
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X2 This is the way to go no Question!!
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01-13-2018, 02:33 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Just a FYI on checking AMP Draw. Disconnect Positive Terminal from Battery Set an ordinary VOM Meter to DC Amp normally 10 AMP setting connect one probe to Battery the other too the Pos. Cable this will give you your AMP Draw. If you what to know what is drawing the load start one at a time pulling DC fuses this will Isolate what is drawing the load. No need for A clamp on Meter unless you what to check High AMP Draw like Slides level system ETC
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01-14-2018, 04:01 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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The previous recommendation are valid but if you are going to do more than a onetime check or go solar this unit is very useful.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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01-16-2018, 10:11 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Okay disconnecting the battery will be a pain. It goes in and out of storage somewhat often. Though some time it could be 6 months. I went with a disconnect switch for now. Took out my old multimeter to measure the current by opening the switch and putting across the switch. It draws no current!! Well it does, only my old multimeter is dead. Guess it is something clear duct tape cannot fix. my new DVM does not go up in current enough to try it.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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01-16-2018, 10:56 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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After reading your last post above, I'll just cut to the chase. Boatloads of us use some fashion of a battery disconnect switch or just remove a lead to the battery as it only takes less than a minute. As you have found ... the OEM disconnect does not disconnect everything. Why fret over your amp draw when you cured the issue ... you installed a disconnect switch?
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01-17-2018, 03:52 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Hi
I have been meaning to do the draw test on ours to see if a 100W solar panel would support the unit if needed.
We think we have the stick house and associated airport sold so Montana may sit unattended and unplugged from power for the first time.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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01-20-2018, 07:37 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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Simple as mention above. Install a good quality disconnect switch on the negative line to the frame. A disconnected/fully charged battery will stay charged for quite some time if there is no draw on it.
However, if I was storing my unit off site at a storage lot somewhere over the winter, I would remove the batteries any take them to my house were they could be kept a trickle charger.
I would leave them in the camper in the summer in between trips with the battery disconnect on the negative line switched off.
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01-22-2018, 11:54 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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So the question posed was Has anyone measured the current draw when the convenience center battery disconnect is disconnected and what is it. Since the discussion has morphed into why installing a battery disconnect is the way to go, and no one has answered my question, I can draw the conclusion that no one has measured it.
I think I will spark a spirited discussion on GPSs by asking for directions somewhere.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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01-22-2018, 02:56 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
So the question posed was Has anyone measured the current draw when the convenience center battery disconnect is disconnected and what is it. Since the discussion has morphed into why installing a battery disconnect is the way to go, and no one has answered my question, I can draw the conclusion that no one has measured it.
I think I will spark a spirited discussion on GPSs by asking for directions somewhere.
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__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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01-22-2018, 06:51 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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I understand that you want to know the draw (I do not know what it is). What I don't get is why it matters. There is enough of a draw to kill the batteries in no time. So why not prevent it from happening and be done with it.
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01-23-2018, 04:12 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Hi
In my case I want to determine what sizes solar panel I need to support the battery during storage.
It looks like we have the airport sold and this unit will go in storage while we are out in Kansas getting ready to accept our new unit.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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01-23-2018, 08:29 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,962
M.O.C. #5651
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I think someone mentioned that the batteries went dead in 2 to 3 weeks. You can kind of figure it out by dividing your battery AH rating by (24x2) - hours to go dead. So a mid-range(?) battery has 100 AH. 100/48 is 2 amps. If they last 3 weeks it is 1 1/3 amps. People, correct me if I am way off here.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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01-23-2018, 04:42 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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That's close enough for the government. LOL
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02-21-2018, 02:33 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Tom you were way off. But right on for government work.
Open circuit battery voltage 12.7 volts
Current draw with inverter and "key" switch off, 0.25 Amps
Key off, inverter turned on for refrigerator 9.5 amps (doors were open so lights inside refrigerator were on)
Key on, inverter on, 13.5 amps
Measured with Clamp on meter
So I am thinking a 10 watt solar panel would be what is needed to just maintain the battery and keep what Montana thinks needs to be left on with battery disconnect switch off.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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