Battery question on Monty

[jaybird]

I have a 2014 Mountainier. Since I bought it new I have stored it plugged in. I recently moved it to a storage with no electricity. It sat for 3 weeks and I almost ran out of juice putting out the slides today. Not sure what's draining the batteries because nothing is on but obviously something is. If I switch off the main breaker in the powerboX after I go for a weekend and charge them back up, will that help the cause. The storage guy asked me if I had a power hut off switch. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[MARK A]

Have you kept the water level maintained? The chargers will boil them dry if left plugged in day after day.If a cell goes dry the battery's shot.

Mark

[7.3Ford]

Make sure the DC Disconnect in the convenience center is off. It is off when the key can be removed.



Also check you don't have any lights on outside.

[jaybird]

Wow-Thanks for the picture 7.3Ford.

[1retired06]

Battery disconnect does not totally disconnect. Slides, levelers still hot even if not used. Our propane alarm also continues to draw. I installed a second disconnect switch at the battery.

[baybum10]

I also installed a second disconnect switch near the battery. Its a true disconnect now and the battery maintains its charge much longer.

[tabraha]

Wow. Never would've thought the battery disconnect would leave certain items hot. Always something to learn on the MOC.

[bigred715]

I just disconnect the hot lead to the main battery. Can't trust the "so called" battery disconnect.

[pkbridges77]

quote:Originally posted by bigred715

I just disconnect the hot lead to the main battery. Can't trust the "so called" battery disconnect.

That's what I do. Disconnect the lead and battery holds a charge. If I leave it connected I have about 24 hours of juice, maÿbe 30 hours.

[Mark N.]

quote:Originally posted by MARK A

Have you kept the water level maintained? The chargers will boil them dry if left plugged in day after day.If a cell goes dry the battery's shot.

Mark

I've routinely left my 3400RL plugged in month-in and month-out. The only time it isn't plugged in is driving down the road. I add water occasionally to the batteries to be sure, but not very often. They have never come close to boiling dry. I think the new chargers are light-years ahead of the old RV chargers that would indeed boil a battery dry if left on.

[twindman]

I leave mine with the battery completely disconnected. I am pretty sure sometimes for as long as 5 or 6 months, tho I am sure for 3-4 months at a time. And the battery is always still charged when I hook it back up.

[Phil P]

Hi

If you’re going to add a battery disconnects I strongly recommend adding at least a 100 amp battery fuse. There has been a couple of post about damage caused by a short in the 12V system one of them was serious damage.

I installed ours at the battery ground cable where it is attached to the frame because it is an easy place to do it. The battery disconnect should be at the battery Plus cable.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/519...k_-_30_to_300A

Phil P

[WeBeFulltime]

quote:Originally posted by bigred715

I just disconnect the hot lead to the main battery. Can't trust the "so called" battery disconnect.

I believe if only disconnecting one lead it should be the ground instead of the hot. That way when reconnecting there will be no sparks to ignite any gases that might be present. Please correct me if I'm wrong (again).

[1retired06]

Directions on the disconnect I just installed last week specified Ground side. You are correct.

[rames14]

Jaybird, as mentioned, even with everything off there is parasitic drain from the CO detector. So, if you can't keep it on charge (the newer units have a better charger that is not supposed to overcharge and boil the batteries). Doing a search, RV manufacturers put the disconnect on the positive side.

[Phil P]

Hi

It makes no difference which side you put the disconnect or fuse on. The reason for the instructions to work with the ground side of the battery is to prevent injury or fire if the tool being used comes in contact with the metal frame of the vehicle.

When working on the 12V system you should always remove the ground cable before doing so. The ground cable will still spark between the battery post or ground point if remove from the frame instead of the battery if there is any load on the system.

I installed my 100 amp fuse on the ground cable where it connects to the frame of the trailer because I am lazy and that was the easiest place to put it. LOL

Phil P

[CWSWine]

I have a battery cut off switch going to the inverter that was installed by Keystone on one of the positive leads to the battery. I installed one on the second positive lead that power the rest of the 5er. Here is the cut off switch the Keystone used on the inverter lead and I order on for the other positive lead.
http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-701-Ba...ilpage_o09_s00

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by Mark N.

I've routinely left my 3400RL plugged in month-in and month-out. The only time it isn't plugged in is driving down the road. I add water occasionally to the batteries to be sure, but not very often. They have never come close to boiling dry. I think the new chargers are light-years ahead of the old RV chargers that would indeed boil a battery dry if left on.

If you have A healthy Battery and the charger is working correctly you will not boil A battery! I did boil a battery year one when the original battery was defective that was in 2003 never boiled a battery since!!