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Old 04-25-2013, 11:54 AM   #1
FlyingBelle
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Dumb question regarding battery

Ok - newbie here. This is probably a really dumb question, but here goes...

We picked up our TT a few weeks ago and it's on a lot for storage. Today DH went to drop some things off and the battery was dead. He thinks it's from the radio/CD player - but I can't image that would do it, would it? It was off, but apparently still had some power to it (display) Did we miss something?
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:07 PM   #2
Festus2
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While unplugged from shore power in storage, your battery is subject to a number of parasitic drains. You have mentioned one of them - the stereo/CD player.
Others include any hard-wired sensors and alarms such as propane detectors and your fridge may have a switch on it that is called a Climate Control which runs off the battery. This should be OFF but depending upon the make and model of your fridge, it may not have such a switch. Check your fridge manual to see if it has one.

You might want to consider hooking up a small 2A battery tender which will keep your RV battery in a charged state. This will only work however if you have access to shore power.
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:10 PM   #3
hankpage
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I don't know how to tell you but ..... this time hubby is right. The memory on the radio, the gas leak detector and some other minor parasitic drains can run down a battery in a few weeks. Installing a battery disconnect as close to the battery is the best way to prevent this or simply disconnect the cable each time. (Problem here is possible sparking when reconnecting cable so switch is safer. ) Hope this helps, Hank ...... For more info on this subject use the forum search tool as it is a very common question. THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS HERE.
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:17 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by hankpage View Post
Hank ...... For more info on this subject use the forum search tool as it is a very common question. THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS HERE.
A very good thought, we all need to remember that more often.
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:22 PM   #5
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My esteemed forum members are correct. It is the phantom parasitic load. It is possible to kill a battery permanently with the drain. Disconnect the battery cable while in storage or install a disconnect switch.
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:27 PM   #6
FlyingBelle
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Aw come on guys! It's way to early in my camping career to let hubby be right!

Just kidding - really appreciate the quick responses! You guys are awesome
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Old 04-25-2013, 12:33 PM   #7
SteveC7010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingBelle View Post
Ok - newbie here. This is probably a really dumb question, but here goes...

We picked up our TT a few weeks ago and it's on a lot for storage. Today DH went to drop some things off and the battery was dead. He thinks it's from the radio/CD player - but I can't image that would do it, would it? It was off, but apparently still had some power to it (display) Did we miss something?
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...t=dead+battery

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...t=dead+battery

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...t=dead+battery

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Search terms: vampire parasitic dead discharge phantom
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Old 04-26-2013, 04:51 AM   #8
cdawrld
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Wink

I think I'm noticing a pattern here.
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Old 04-26-2013, 06:11 AM   #9
SAABDOCTOR
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FLYING BELLE In the camping code book the hubby is allowed to be right only once So your all set from now on. Have fun with that camper!
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Old 04-26-2013, 08:13 AM   #10
FlyingBelle
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Originally Posted by SAABDOCTOR View Post
FLYING BELLE In the camping code book the hubby is allowed to be right only once So your all set from now on. Have fun with that camper!
LOL - love it!

I did do a search at the recommendation of you all and sure enough... seems to be a common problem. DH called our dealer and they confirmed it's probably a combination of the clock and the CO detector. Wish we would have known that !

Oh well, live and learn, and we're off to buy a disconnect switch!
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