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06-30-2013, 06:12 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: bridgton
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #13559
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Battery dead !!
We just bought a 2013 Montana with a battery cut off switch or in this case a plastic key that you turn to off when you don't want the battery to get a draw. My question is should this also disable the landing gear and stabilizers? My battery keeps drawing down even with the switch turned to off. Nothing inside the camper works even the LP gas detector is off so I am making an guess that the control box is still powering up to get power to jack system. It is quite a draw as when I connect the battery I get a pretty good spark. anyone have any ideas?
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06-30-2013, 06:26 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Bad battery? Dealers install the batteries after the rigs are sold. Who knows how old or good this battery was sitting in their shop. I've sparked a battery at 10 volts and that's considered dead so to me that's not a reliable test unless the battery is completely dead. I think the most accurate way to tell if a battery is good is to measure with a VOM. The subtle readings of a VOM can indicate so much more and you're gonna need one to trace any issues.
The disconnect is still supposed to allow landing gear, slideouts and brakes to operate. I don't know about the stabilizers. What kind of time period are you talking for the drawing down?
Whatever it is, this seems like a warranty issue and you don't wanna delay things too much. Get it back to the dealer for analysis. That is, if you bought it from a dealer and have a warranty.
BTW - your sig shows a 6.2 liter in your 250 Ford. For diesel, I'm only familiar with 7.3, 6.0, 6.4 and 6.7. Is that a gasser? I don't know engine sizes for a gasser.
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06-30-2013, 07:16 AM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: bridgton
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #13559
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Yes I did use a VOM and when I tested was below 1 volt. I charged up and when reconnected to trailer with Battery switch off it had a pretty heavy spark and the VOM told me there was a draw. I am going to bring back to dealer as only 3 weeks old. Thanks for your input. Would anyone have a picture of the two breakers in there Montana as there is a jumper from one to the other that I don't remember on my Everest.
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06-30-2013, 09:41 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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If your rig has a remote control, there is a circuit board (usually in the battery compartment) that stays energized and drawing power unless the battery is disconnected completely. I also thought the the propane and co monitors stayed energized even with the disconnect in the convenience center engaged. I installed a battery cutoff switch at the battery so i could completely turn off the battery when it is in storage. I would not think it is a problem with the battery.
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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06-30-2013, 11:00 AM
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#5
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: bridgton
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #13559
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Thanks to all we really love the new unit but has had some small issues that are more of a pain in the you no what more than anything. We are making an appointment with dealer for other itiams and we will have them check out. Than you all.
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06-30-2013, 01:57 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Stratford
Posts: 241
M.O.C. #9481
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I noticed that the plastic battery cut off switch did not cut off the landing gear or the slides on my rig. It isolated everything else. To truly isolate the battery(s), they must be disconnected.
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06-30-2013, 02:26 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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That battery cutoff does not cut off everything that draws from the battery. Others have found this out the hard way, coming back after winter to a dead battery.
I'm not positive what all still draws but I was thinking the LP detector is one. You said yours is off. Does yours have a separate off switch? If not, are you really sure it's off?
The landing gear may still draw from the battery but I wouldn't think it would draw anything at all until the switch is depressed.
My guess is you still have a parasitic draw somewhere despite the cutoff switch.
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06-30-2013, 02:44 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,308
M.O.C. #5165
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Yes, I think a draw from a light that is not evident in daylight like the floods or even the porch light. Only 1 light bulb can draw down a battery over an extended period of time. I have stored my Monty for over 6 months with the battery disconnect switch in the disconnect position. Both of my batteries were fine. Having 2 batteries also helps.
__________________
F-250 King Ranch Crew Cab 2012, Single Wheel, 6.7 L Diesel, Transfer Flow Internal 50 Gallon Fuel Tank, Upgraded Ford Software for 50 Gallon tank, 2006 3475Rl with Mor-ryde King Pin, 2nd AC, 2nd Battery, Pressure Pro TPMS, Wet Bolt Shackle Kit
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06-30-2013, 06:33 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
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Hmmmm call me stupid but is not the whole purpose of a battery disconnect switch is to cutoff the battery, another words no power should pass thru that switch. Otherwise it is not a disconnect switch, but just a piece of junk. But the good news it the wires should already be terminated so it should be easy to yank that thing out and go buy a real disconnect switch. Just thinking, since I haven't seen one yet.
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07-01-2013, 03:59 AM
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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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As stated above, on ours the disconnect switch doesn't disconnect the landing gear or the slide motor and the remote for them will work. I'm pretty sure none of the lights work, however.
__________________
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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07-01-2013, 10:00 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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I agree the disconnect switch should disconnect all 12V, but it doesn't. If I just turn off the disconnect my battery will run down in about a week. I have installed a real disconnect switch next to battery. It is a knife switch sold at Camping for this purpose.
My prior 3 Sunnybrook 5th wheels did the same thing.
With the disconnect switch in disconnect position a spark drawn when battery is disconnected tells you there is current.
__________________
Paul Northport,AL W4XH
2013 358 RLT Mountaineer
2008 Silverado Duramax
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07-01-2013, 10:17 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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With your battery Switch off Disconnect Positive terminal connect AMP Meter One probe to Positive Term the other probe to Positive wire if you are getting an AMP reading start pulling DC Fuses this will tell you at least what circuit that is drawing AMP's
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