Question for John T OT

Tech 7

Well-known Member
Ok I use this camper trailer to attend tractor shows so it is kinda sorta on topic.
I have a 2005 Trail Lite camper that we really enjoy other than an electrical gremlin or two. We last used it 3 weeks ago and after it being plugged in for a few weeks prior to heading out we drained the batteries (two) in less than 4 days. We were using very little lighting and the water pump, no other loads. Admittedly I have yet to check my batteries, one is two years old, the other is the one that came with the trailer when we bought it 3 years ago.
This morning I come out of the house and hear a noise. The radio is on in the trailer and playing at 3/4 volume!!??
Trailer has been plugged in since we arrived home from last trip 3 weeks ago, I have been in a time or two to check the fridge, no other traffic in there.
The theme from "The Twilight Zone" is playing in my head.
Input anybody?
 
One problem travel trailers have is from vibration going down the road. You may want to check for loose connections, such as in the breaker box, problem outlets, etc.
 
Mornin Tech 7, its hard to say not being there, RV's are bad about having phantom loads such as Auto LP Gas Detectors that are constantly "on" that can shut off the gas valve if LP is detected,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Fridge control circuits,,,,,,,,,,,,,No tellin what else. Some RV's have a master battery disconnect switch that can be OFF when she's setting so there's no discharge (other then inherent self discharge) OR IF NOT ITS SIMPLE CHEAP AND EASY TO ADD ONE, you might consider that even if you have good batetries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am guessing you have two 12 volt so called RV/Marine batteries in parallel right?????????? If so a bad one can caniballize and suck down the good one. I would take them to about any Battery Store (like Interstate etc) or many auto parts houses for a FREE test including load down and specific gravity and voltage.

A good VOM and ammeter can trace down the phantom current and how much, but Id have the batteries tested first as its so easy and FREE.

If I did a lot of dry camping Id (esp if they are bad) replace the two semi deep cycle 12 volt RV/Marine batteries with two Trojan T -105 or equivalent 6 volt true deep cycle golf cart batteries in series. That would give you 225 Amp Hours of 12 volt TRUE DEEP CYCLE energy storage.

John T I'm hooking up FOUR Trojan T-105's in series parallell right now in my RV (450 Amp Hrs). We do a lot of dry boondock camping and I have 470 Watts of Rooftop Solar Panels that keep them well charged. Here I was dry camping and exhibiting 9 days at a tractor show last winter in Florida
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Thanks for the replies, all good input.
I don't believe the radio has an alarm feature, I have seen that on tractor radios ( like you need that there!) but will check to be sure. I do like the isolation idea.
I will certainly look into the batteries you have suggested....later we will discuss solar chargers.
Thanks again guys!
 
Check to see if you fridge has a heater circuit in it. I'm not 100% sure the purpose, but I remember it has something to do with humidity. Mom's camper was like that and it would suck the battery flat in no time. Myself, I put a battery disconnect on my camper (same as you would use on a tractor). Just make sure the break away brake switch is hooked live to the batteries.
 
Many fridges are 3-way, meaning they run on propane, AC, or DC to produce the heat that fuels the cooling cycle. Most fridges after 2000 also have a computer board to automatically switch from one mode to the other, monitor the safety systems, etc., which is always on and uses a little DC power, but not much.

The fridge cooling on DC would suck the batteries down in way less than 4 days. Closer to 4 hours.

Even the radio would suck the batteries down in way less than 4 days.

I'm thinking the most obvious cause is one or more weak batteries. Like John T said, a weak battery will suck down the good battery and ruin both of them.

When you replace the batteries replace BOTH! If you just replace the "bad" battery, the "good" battery will become "bad" very soon and ruin your brand new battery. Then you will get into this vicious cycle of replacing the "bad" battery, back and forth, until you get wise and replace them both at once. Just skip the whole learning experience and do both at the same time.

Look into replacing your lights with LEDs too. They use very little power and will stretch your battery capacity even further.
 
You mentioned Solar Chargers, now theres a topic dear to my heart for the next go around. I went with a Temperature Compensated "Smart" Four Stage (Bulk, Absorption, Float, Equalize) Solar Charge Controller. Sure they cost more, but if you can get 6 or 7 + years (Ive heard rumors of 10) out of your Trojans, it makes it all worthwhile in my pocketbook. A battery only has so many "Life Cycles" of discharge and recharge in it, so if its kept topped off and never undergoes a full discharge and recharge "Cycle" that gives you a long life.

John T
 

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