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Old 01-21-2021, 09:28 AM   #1
Pace & JoAnn Mimms
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2020 3781 Electrical issues?

Hey Guys - Purchased my 3781 Montana last June - Every time I take it out of storage the batteries are dead. There are two "kill" switches and both are off. The inverter is off so that the refrigerator is not running. There must be something that is directly wired and on. Any ideas? I don't leave the generator on the unit at storage so I have purchased a "jumper box" just to operate the landing gear at hookup. Thanks
 
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Old 01-21-2021, 09:34 AM   #2
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Many things hard wired on. Propane detector, and other things like this. You have to disconnect the battery or put on a switch and disconnect it that way. People say these other things will drain the battery in 2 weeks or so.
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Old 01-21-2021, 09:41 AM   #3
Pace & JoAnn Mimms
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Many things hard wired on. Propane detector, and other things like this. You have to disconnect the battery or put on a switch and disconnect it that way. People say these other things will drain the battery in 2 weeks or so.
would have thought that since there are two kill switches ( one at the batteries and the other in the compartment that houses the water hookups) that by turning both to the off position that would kill all electrical power in the unit. There are no lights on the propane detector.
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:18 AM   #4
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would have thought that since there are two kill switches ( one at the batteries and the other in the compartment that houses the water hookups) that by turning both to the off position that would kill all electrical power in the unit. There are no lights on the propane detector.
How many wires are connected to the positive terminal of the battery ... I'm betting 2. One of them goes to a battery cut-off switch that supplies 12vdc to the inverter, The other wire goes to several circuit breakers and finally to the battery cut-off switch in the water compartment. The water compartment switch does not turn off all 12vdc power to the FW.

Put a battery cut-off switch between the wire that goes to the circuit breakers.
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:28 AM   #5
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Will do - thanks
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:39 AM   #6
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Can you hook up a trickle charge while it's in storage?
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Old 01-21-2021, 12:08 PM   #7
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If your storage has power, just leave it plugged in.

If not, and it receives any sun then a solar battery charger would probably be enough to keep it charged.

If neither of the above, then add a disconnect at the battery terminal.

There are several wires coming off the auto reset circuit breakers going to different places. But I think the battery disconnect switch in the convenience center only breaks the large one.
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Old 01-21-2021, 02:14 PM   #8
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There are parasitic drains on the battery. Just disconnect the negative cable from the battery when placing it in storage. Takes 30 seconds.
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Old 01-21-2021, 04:33 PM   #9
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What Jim said
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:15 PM   #10
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Also make sure your breakaway cable is not pulled.
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:29 PM   #11
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I have the same exact unit and yes you need to disconnect the battery or it will go dead in a few weeks. I leave my solar on all winter to keep it topped off.
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Old 02-03-2021, 03:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pace & JoAnn Mimms View Post
Hey Guys - Purchased my 3781 Montana last June - Every time I take it out of storage the batteries are dead. There are two "kill" switches and both are off. The inverter is off so that the refrigerator is not running. There must be something that is directly wired and on. Any ideas? I don't leave the generator on the unit at storage so I have purchased a "jumper box" just to operate the landing gear at hookup. Thanks
Remove the battery negative cable. The switches do NOT kill all power. BTW, your battery is now toast, good opportunity to buy a real golf cart battery, actually 2 since they are 6V not 12 unless you only use the RV a few weekends a year in which case buy what the dealer sells.
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Old 04-04-2021, 11:23 AM   #13
Pace & JoAnn Mimms
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Found the problem - the dealer wired the batteries wrong - had to purchase two new batteries on the road - will take the receipt to dealer next time I am there....
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Old 04-04-2021, 06:13 PM   #14
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Found the problem - the dealer wired the batteries wrong - had to purchase two new batteries on the road - will take the receipt to dealer next time I am there....
Can you describe how it as wrong? That may help someone else someday.
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Old 04-05-2021, 11:55 AM   #15
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Another tidbit - I leave my trailer in storage for 5-7 months with batteries disconnected. I have always had enough power to run slide, raise lower jacks, etc. I do have 2 6V golf cart batteries, so that may help a little.
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