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08-17-2018, 06:07 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Winchester
Posts: 900
M.O.C. #19514
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Battery keeps dying
We boondock occasionally, usually for one night and then we hit the road. We know that the RV battery can power the unit all night, even running the furnace.
So imagine our surprise when all of a sudden the battery starts to run out of juice after only a couple of hours, and we are not running very much! The propane fridge takes a bit of juice, but other than that and running the water pump a few times, we should have power all night.
We took the battery in for testing and even bought a new one while the testing was going on. The battery test showed the battery was good, and the new one started dying too!
There must be something causing this. Any ideas?
We have not yet decided on what to sign up for at the rally for technical issues. This might end up being one of them.
__________________
2017 High Country 305RL
2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty
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08-17-2018, 07:37 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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When you are plugged in, do you have the battery disconnect on? Also you need to check and make sure your truck is sending power to the rig when going down the road.
__________________
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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08-17-2018, 07:42 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,920
M.O.C. #20477
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What size, make and number of batteries do you have in your rig? A single small battery will not last long.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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08-17-2018, 09:19 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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We have gone 3 -4 days on battery (single) being conservative on power usage and the battery did fine. If charging is good I would look for a power drain somewhere.
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-18-2018, 04:35 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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These measurements can be taken from your Leveler touchpad
What is your battery voltage NOT hooked up to shore power and battery disconnect in convenience
center OFF?
What is your battery voltage NOT hooked up to shore power and battery disconnect in convenience center ON?
What is your battery voltage with shore power connected?.
What is your battery voltage hooked up to truck and truck running?
With battery disconnect on?
With battery disconnect off?
If you have a clamp on amp meter.
In your boondock setup.
current draw with battery disconnect in convenience center OFF?
current draw with battery disconnect in convenience center ON?
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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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08-18-2018, 05:25 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Winchester
Posts: 900
M.O.C. #19514
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I will ask DH about the battery disconnect thing, although I doubt that is the problem. If he plugs into the truck and runs the truck, the battery charges. It just discharges very quickly. We are currently dry camped at a music festival.
I will see if I can get a voltage meter at the hardware store today.
__________________
2017 High Country 305RL
2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty
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08-18-2018, 09:33 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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Sounds like to me the battery is not getting fully charged and therefore as soon as a load is applied it quickly discharges. A battery to get fully charged by your truck would take about 20 hours. Hopefully it is as simple as the disconnect switch in the off position. If not, it points at the converter not doing its job of sending voltage to the battery. To determine if that is the problem do the checks as suggested by jeffba.
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Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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08-18-2018, 10:22 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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Because you are dry camping it will not be possible to see if your converter is working. Also once your battery is run down when dry camping you will never get it charged back up unless you use a generator which in about 4 hours will take the battery up to 80% charged. To fully charge it would take around another 8 hours and that is not practical when using a generator.
People that dry camp never get their batteries past 80% charged unless they have a large solar system. However for longevity of your batteries you need to get them fully charged at least weekly.
Hopefully this will help you.
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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