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04-18-2013, 03:02 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chatsworth
Posts: 468
M.O.C. #10933
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BATTERIES RUN DOWN
I have 2 good batteries, 12v hooked in parallel which, when the trailer sits unused for a week run down to zilch. When they sit in my garage they hold a full charge indefinitely. My conclusion is that I either have a short or something is running all the time. If I have a short, then a fuse should blow which doesn't happen. I'm wondering about the back up camera. Is there a switch on it to turn it off? Could it somehow be a faulty converter?
__________________
Gayle and John Devall
2017 Legacy 3720 IS and Disc brakes
1120 watts solar panels and 300 AH lithium batteries
2011 Ford f350 srw long box Lariat with B&W Patriot hitch. Residential Fridge.
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04-18-2013, 03:13 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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There are phantom loads (propane detector, remote control board if equipped, etc.) that will drain a battery. These will still pull juice even with the battery disconnect engaged. There are two solutions, either unhook the batteries from the circuit, or do as I did and install a battery isolator switch at the battery itself.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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04-18-2013, 03:26 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Although I disagree that your batteries will hold a full charge indefinitely while just sitting in your garage, Bingo has your answer. You cannot leave today's rigs sitting unless you completely isolate the battery during storage ... they will drain them down in just a few days.
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04-18-2013, 05:49 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Bill has a great idea and it will work. Even your TV in the bedroom is drawing juice when you're just sitting. The number of things using 12v is a lot more than you think.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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04-18-2013, 07:01 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Note, if not connected to shore power a 110v bedroom TV won't draw anything since the 110v devices are effectively disconnected. However, if you have a rig with 12v capable Televisions, then they will probably draw some amps. It's how the remote works. There needs to be power at the TV to recognize when the remote wants to turn the TV on, so because of this case it's good that DQDICK brings this up.
Like others have mentioned there are several other things that can draw 12v while the rig sits idle like anything that is controlled by a remote since there needs to be a minimum of juice running so that the remote can communicate with it, like slide motors, landing legs and so many other things being enabled by the convenience of a remote control and using 12v. There's also the propane alarm, and accidently leaving the antenna boost in the on position.
The best way to completely save your batteries is a disconnect switch that isolates the batteries at the source. Some trailers have an integrated disconnect switch, but even in this case, the switch does NOT disable ALL 12v devices and therefore a drain is still possible. I am not familiar with that disconnect provided by Greatwhite (Bill) but this is what I use at home during long term storage:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...rs/55-9025.htm
Then I also connect to a 20 amp shore power circuit and connect a Battery Minder to keep the battery charged and conditioned. This only works if you have the luxury of a 110v source nearby. Another thing others do if they store the RV elsewhere, is they bring the RV batteries home to connect them to a battery charger/conditioner. Just another step to consider in keeping the rig at the ready.
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04-18-2013, 07:01 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chatsworth
Posts: 468
M.O.C. #10933
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Thanks to all who replied. I will put an isolator switch in. My wife's car started after sitting idle for 3 months and my car years ago started after sitting a whole year.
__________________
Gayle and John Devall
2017 Legacy 3720 IS and Disc brakes
1120 watts solar panels and 300 AH lithium batteries
2011 Ford f350 srw long box Lariat with B&W Patriot hitch. Residential Fridge.
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04-18-2013, 09:19 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Beaufort
Posts: 545
M.O.C. #12221
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Propane detector, DC TV, Fridge, TV Antenna Booster, there are numerous drains.
With everything in my rig that I can turn off, turned off (while on the road so the fridge is on) I still pull about 2.4 amps.
So do the math. In my case 2.4 x 24hrs is 57ah a day. doesn't take long to kill a 12v battery at that rate.
A 12v battery sitting idle with no draw will lose on average about 2% a month.
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04-18-2013, 09:40 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Healdsburg
Posts: 273
M.O.C. #13339
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That little disconnect works great. I used to use it in my commercial boating days. They work well for modern vehicles that also have phantom drains if to be stored for a while.. Also, add to theft protection as they can't be jump started... That's a great bonus.
They don't work with batteries such as side mounted connectors such as on my Chevy truck.. but, house batts in the RV are a great combo.
Also.. another phantom drain that draws a lot from the battery is the amplifier on the TV antenna.. don't ask me how long it took to realize that.
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04-18-2013, 06:43 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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If you have the bedroom TV you can take off and hang outside in the basement it's 12v. Shoot I've got so much crap plugged into my truck I have to run it every week or so. The truck pretty much shuts it's own stuff down, but not all the things I have connected all over the place.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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04-19-2013, 05:31 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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I would think a 2008 model would have the disconnect switch from the factory.
__________________
Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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04-19-2013, 05:38 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Dennis,
It does, but even on the older models I believe the propane detector pulls current even when the convenience center disconnect is engaged. I am basing this solely on memory of dead battery in out 07 3400, but memory fades with age as well.
Bingo
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04-19-2013, 06:59 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Healdsburg
Posts: 273
M.O.C. #13339
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My factory switch is the red key type in the outside compartment that has all the water connections/drain valves, etc.
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04-19-2013, 07:47 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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In my days of towing Trailers that had the factory disconnect switch, I was reminded that the switch disconnected the house functions of the trailer and not the trailer and safety functions. Therefore the landing gear/tongue jack, slideouts, trailer brakes and probably the trailer alarms were still live and could draw power. This kinda matches what Bingo and others have experienced.
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04-26-2013, 09:40 AM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gatineau
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #9851
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dieselguy
Although I disagree that your batteries will hold a full charge indefinitely while just sitting in your garage, Bingo has your answer. You cannot leave today's rigs sitting unless you completely isolate the battery during storage ... they will drain them down in just a few days.
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I am somewhat confused here. When the rig is plugged into shore power does not the converter onboard also charges the batteries?
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04-26-2013, 09:58 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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I believe the discussion is for when the rig is not hooked up to shore power, therefore no charging is occurring and there are loads that can only be stopped by disconnecting the battery in some fashion (switch at the battery, etc.)
Bingo
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04-26-2013, 01:23 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Midlothian
Posts: 956
M.O.C. #40
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John,
If you have a Dometic 2 door refrigerator in your rig, check the door heater sw. It will be on even when the ref. is off.
To find the switch on the 2 door open the freezer and look in the top corner for a switch and make sure it is turned off.
You will not have it unless it is a 2 door Dometic.
Just a thought as I had it happen to me on a previous unit.
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04-26-2013, 02:35 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 534
M.O.C. #13378
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That's why I LOVE my solar panel. Even with all those phantom draws, my batteries remain fully charged no matter how long my rig sits. To coin a phrase.....I'm a happy camper!
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04-26-2013, 03:32 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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Bingo, I checked today and the red switch turns everything off in the unit. However the level-up system and the generator are before the switch and were drawing about .2 amps.
__________________
Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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04-26-2013, 04:43 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Thanks Dennis for the verification that my memory is indeed fading away!!
Bingo
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