Batteries drained!!!

[jxnbbl]

I am posting this as I ran into a situation and figured it out ( I believe).

We just returned from a long trip, parked the trailer and the weather hasn't been great so we finally went out for the cleaning/emptying of the trailer. Although we have been out 1-2 times a day. Lights didn't work. We have solar so I don't usually plug it into shore power and let the fridge run (12V fridge) and everything is usually fine. I checked fuses, etc. Then plugged it into shore power and everything worked. But the batteries were drained, the solar controller wasn't on...which means they really drained (hopefully not damaged). Anyways they are all charged up now after 24 hours of charging.

But I figured out the problem (I believe) when unhooking the trailer in the rain the cable for the trailer emergency brake got under the tongue jack and pulled out the pin. I just did some research and found:

"Maximum amperage draw for 4 Brakes that are 10 or 12 inch diameter is 15.0 to 16.3 amps at 12 to 13 volts. "

So I'm guessing 3 days in cloudy weather with a fridge and the brakes locked up will drain a battery!

[sahively]

That certainly sounds like the culprit. Unless you have a significant solar setup, the fridge alone can suck the batteries dry in a couple days if on 24/7 in limited sun. With the emergency brake pin pulled, yeah....yikes.

[NH_Bulldog]

Given our weather in NH this past week, it’s no wonder the solar couldn’t keep up!

Hopefully you have lithium batteries which can tolerate complete discharge without damage, otherwise you likely killed any other type of battery.

[flybouy]

I'd suggest taking a good look at the brake wires and check out each brake magnet individually. Pulling the pin and energizing the magnets for such a long period can melt wires and / or destroy the electro magnets.

[jxnbbl]

Thanks will inspect the brake/wiring in the next week. It definitely was the problem. I have over 500W of solar on the roof and even prior to the last panel being added (have 3 instead of 2) I could keep the fridge running when "staged" in our yard for a month!

I put this entry in here as it maybe one thing to look at the next time there is an unexplained battery drained.

[jxnbbl]

I should add...one overnight with the converter, re-hooked up the solar and turned off the 120V back to normal - in the morning trickle charging and on a sunny afternoon a solid green solar controller light (batteries fully charged)

[sourdough]

I suspect you damaged your batteries severely when they were drained as they were. They will recharge again but their useful life and charge holding ability has been greatly reduced. I've only had that happen once (brake pin pulled, dead batteries) and didn't try to recharge them just replaced. Keep an eye on them.

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I suspect you damaged your batteries severely when they were drained as they were. They will recharge again but their useful life and charge holding ability has been greatly reduced. I've only had that happen once (brake pin pulled, dead batteries) and didn't try to recharge them just replaced. Keep an eye on them.

Thanks the plan is to have the trailer in the yard with no shoreline power, fridge on, etc....if there is a problem it should be evident and they will be replaced. We have a couple of months before out next trip.

[jxnbbl]

Since my original post, I fully charged the batteries. Disconnected the shoreline power the next day, turned on the fridge putting in some ice trays and turned on a few lights and just let it go. Every few days I check it for battery charging in the morning and later in the day. On sunny days the batteries fill right up and on cloudy days they are in maintenance/trickle charging mode. So not going to replace the batteries.

[jxnbbl]

I finally got to this item on my checklist before moving the trailer.....


Ensure the electronic brakes work. (of course I will try them when towing this weekend). But due to this problem I wanted to make sure they weren't frozen or anything. If anyone has additional suggestions please respond.


I jacked up the tires one side at a time and spun the tires, using the electrical brake I stopped them from spinning and then had them totally engaged and they couldn't be moved by hand.

[chuckster57]

If you spun the tires and they locked up when you pulled the break away pin, they should be ok. I would do a visual inspection when you get the chance.