Battery Discharging

Tfmyers · 08-14-2019, 09:50 AM

WE have a 2019 357 Fuzion. We've had simply a ton of issues to say the least! The latest is the battery is discharging even with the Master Power off. WE put a quick disconnect on the battery thinking that would work and even with this on we still have power going to the radio and the fuel station. This doesn't make sense if all the power is off so something is goofed up in the wiring and were at a loss of what to do next short of taking it back to a shop that seems to make more issues every time we take it in! Suggestions?

LHaven · 08-14-2019, 10:50 AM

It's well known that the battery "disconnect" switch supplied by the manufacturer doesn't disconnect precisely those vampire loads you would count on it to disconnect.

A simple quick-disconnect switch at the battery terminal is hard to screw up. A defective one is conceivable, but improbable. Is it possible you have more than one battery? Have you tried simply removing one of the battery cables to see if that stops it?

Tfmyers · 08-15-2019, 04:02 AM

Yes we have 2 batteries and have tried everything can only assume these items may have a different ground?

Harleydodge · 08-15-2019, 04:38 AM

Without pictures of your setup it's hard to guess for sure how you have wired it, but I'll assume you installed a switch on the ground (negative) side of one battery where both are tied to ground individually.

Easiest fix would be to reinstall the switch on the positive side between the Battery and the Trailer.

Tfmyers · 08-15-2019, 01:54 PM

My husband's thought was exactly the same so thanks for the advice!

**chuckster57** · 08-15-2019, 07:23 PM

If your using a pair of 12V batteries, the trailer leads need to be on separate batteries, that way your drawing on the whole bank. I see lots of trailers come in with 2 batteries but the trailer is only connected to one even with the jumpers.

LHaven · 08-15-2019, 08:31 PM

6V batteries, I would believe. 12V batteries, if the jumpers are in place correctly, it shouldn't matter what battery or batteries the trailer leads are connected to as long as one is positive and the other negative.

**chuckster57** · 08-16-2019, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

6V batteries, I would believe. 12V batteries, if the jumpers are in place correctly, it shouldn't matter what battery or batteries the trailer leads are connected to as long as one is positive and the other negative.

If the trailer leads are both connected to one battery then you will draw that battery down. Connecting the leads to the “ends” of the bank will allow you to draw from both batteries.
http://www.rvdoctor.com/2011/05/rv-b...iring.html?m=1

LHaven · 08-16-2019, 09:03 AM

Yeah, I see the advice, but as an electrical engineer, I don't see any justification for it, either theoretical or practical.

**chuckster57** · 08-16-2019, 09:08 AM

I have seen too many real world examples. My boss was a tech in another shop for many years and his boss did tests that proved it was a big difference. Anyway you can believe what you want and I will believe what I want.

"engineering" doesn't always follow "real world" examples.

LHaven · 08-16-2019, 09:10 AM

Actually it's science that often doesn't follow real world examples. Engineering has to.

**chuckster57** · 08-16-2019, 09:13 AM

Whatever....Im not going to get into a discussion that will only go in circles. My day off and I have too much meaningful stuff to do. Have a nice day

Steveo57 · 08-16-2019, 06:31 PM

Here's the science.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...t22uxA-8_XKwEM

LHaven · 08-16-2019, 10:40 PM

Thanks. That looks like an excellent presentation that answers all my questions.

rakearns1 · 08-22-2019, 09:41 AM

I read through the posts here. I didn't see where anyone mentioned that they could have a bad battery. A battery plate can break short out.

Canadian Len · 08-22-2019, 10:10 AM

Current will flow the path of least resistance. If the leads are only connected to the first of two, that battery will discharge faster than the other and also overcharge before the second is recharged. I’ve seen it happen in large trucks as well when there will be three or four batteries in parallel.

Tfmyers · 08-22-2019, 05:19 PM

The problem is they have the radio and fuel staion grounded elsewhere, i can disconnect neg clamp completely and pump and radio still works.

LHaven · 08-22-2019, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tfmyers

The problem is they have the radio and fuel staion grounded elsewhere, i can disconnect neg clamp completely and pump and radio still works.

That makes no sense to me at all. The neg clamp goes to the frame. Most things are grounded thru the frame to the neg clamp, not run directly to the neg clamp. Disconnecting the neg clamp should kill everything no matter where that thing is grounded. If you can disconnect the neg clamp and something still runs, it either has an independent power source or you're connected to shore power.

Steveo57 · 08-22-2019, 05:59 PM

If you are disconnecting the "negative clamp" do you mean removing the wire from the negative battery terminal? If so there's no way you can still have power to something unless it's getting powered by another battery. Of course if you are plugged in to shore power you can remove the battery and you'll still have 12 volts from the converter.

GMcKenzie · 08-23-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveo57

Here's the science.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...t22uxA-8_XKwEM

Interesting article.

I'm curious if the draw should be balanced in the same way. So should the power feeds to the load be blanched as well?

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