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07-12-2020, 06:44 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Wallace
Posts: 41
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Battery drain
I have a 2020 Cougar trailer. Just wondering if people know what type of battery drains there units have. I happen to check mine and it was .5 amps drain. Checked with two meters, an in series meter and a clamp meter. I have always said you shouldn't have more than .2 amps drain. I haven't pulled any fuses yet to narrow it down.
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07-12-2020, 07:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 135
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With all the electronics in modern trailers, that's not a surprise. The inCommand system, converter, refrigerator and other items will eat a battery quickly.
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07-13-2020, 04:28 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,005
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Welcome to the forum, Koda57!
RV batteries come with a pretty steep learning curve. It's not like the batteries in your flashlight, where you can just leave them sit and expect them to work when you finally get to them. Depending on the capacity of the batteries, you can expect them to be below the minimum state of charge (SoC) within 2 or so weeks.
You definitely don't want to leave the batteries in the trailer while it's in storage, unless you can keep the trailer connected to shore power (so the converter/charger will keep the batteries topped-off). I take my batteries home where I keep them on a smart battery maintainer (not a "trickle charger").
Either way, you want to check the water level every month and top the cells off with distilled water as needed.
There is lots of help here. Just ask.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EL - "Big Bertha"
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali HD 6.6L Duramax TD, CC, 4WD, DRW - "Mr. Beefy"
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07-13-2020, 04:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 822
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Welcome to the forum!
Recognize that the manufacturer's "battery disconnect" switch does not interrupt ALL devices. Your safety systems (CO monitor, propane monitor, etc.) and control systems (like iN.Command) all remain connected and represent what is commonly referred to as "parasitic drains." Some owners install a "master" disconnect on the negative side of their DC system to interrupt ALL battery drains. However, even if you do this it will still be necessary to regularly maintain your batteries as already pointed out.
Enjoy your new trailer!
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07-13-2020, 05:22 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 610
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I do not have inComand on my trailer. In addition to the CO2 and propane detectors my slides and tongue jack are still powered when I use the battery disconnect. My CO2 detector is actually powered by 3AA batteries.
My plan when the two group 24 batteries wear out is to replace with a new single battery box and 2 6 volt GC wired in a series. I plan to add another cut off switch and trickle charger at the same time assuming there is room in the box for this.
__________________
Mike
2016 Ford F350 CC 6.7 4x4 SRW (Ghost Rider)
2017 Cougar 29 RKSWE (The Tumble Weed)
Connected by a Curt 15K WDH W/Sway Control
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07-13-2020, 05:57 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Heber City
Posts: 100
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Search for kenmoffat. He posted a question on battery level -- measuring battery level of charge. He got a lot of good responses and info on batteries and keeping them charged. I added some comments in that string of posts. Lots to learn about battery drain, battery types, solar charging, parasitic loses, etc.
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Bill & Cathe
2018 Cougar 24 SABWE
2015 Dodge Ram 1500
Heber City, UTAH
Living the Dream at 6300 Feet!
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07-13-2020, 06:15 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,758
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9
I do not have inComand on my trailer. In addition to the CO2 and propane detectors my slides and tongue jack are still powered when I use the battery disconnect. My CO2 detector is actually powered by 3AA batteries.
My plan when the two group 24 batteries wear out is to replace with a new single battery box and 2 6 volt GC wired in a series. I plan to add another cut off switch and trickle charger at the same time assuming there is room in the box for this.
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Carbon monoxide is CO which is a by product of burning fossil fuels, CO2 is carbon dioxide which I'd in your soft drinks. Most CO detectors that have standard batteries the batteries are for back up. The battery operated CO detectors typically have a 10 year lithium Ion battery.
Just want to clarify so someone looking for a replacement isn't confused.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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07-13-2020, 07:37 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
Carbon monoxide is CO which is a by product of burning fossil fuels, CO2 is carbon dioxide which I'd in your soft drinks. Most CO detectors that have standard batteries the batteries are for back up. The battery operated CO detectors typically have a 10 year lithium Ion battery.
Just want to clarify so someone looking for a replacement isn't confused.
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It's the same with my CO monitor. It's powered by the trailer 12 VDC system and has a 9 volt battery "backup" in the event of a power failure. When I disconnect the trailer battery, the CO monitor continues to operate on internal battery power. Remove the internal battery, it "dies". Turn on the trailer 12 volt system or plug the trailer into shore power, it "comes back to life".
If I take the batteries out of the trailer and take them home (as in winterization) the CO monitor will continue to operate on that 9 volt battery for about 30 days before it dies and the battery begins to corrode....
The LPG detector is only powered by the trailer system and does not have a internal battery backup.
The smoke detector, however, is a "stand alone unit" and is not connected to the trailer 12 volt system. It operates ONLY on internal battery power.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-13-2020, 09:29 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
Carbon monoxide is CO which is a by product of burning fossil fuels, CO2 is carbon dioxide which I'd in your soft drinks. Most CO detectors that have standard batteries the batteries are for back up. The battery operated CO detectors typically have a 10 year lithium Ion battery.
Just want to clarify so someone looking for a replacement isn't confused.
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Sorry for creating confusion. Too much blood in the caffeine stream I was only on my first cup of coffee
__________________
Mike
2016 Ford F350 CC 6.7 4x4 SRW (Ghost Rider)
2017 Cougar 29 RKSWE (The Tumble Weed)
Connected by a Curt 15K WDH W/Sway Control
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07-13-2020, 10:08 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Lisbon
Posts: 551
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koda57
I have a 2020 Cougar trailer. Just wondering if people know what type of battery drains there units have. I happen to check mine and it was .5 amps drain. Checked with two meters, an in series meter and a clamp meter. I have always said you shouldn't have more than .2 amps drain. I haven't pulled any fuses yet to narrow it down.
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I have a 2018 22RBS and mine runs about .3 amps just sitting there. Just the radio, propane leak detector and a few LEDs on some USB plugs. If you have inCommand I think that's another .1 amps in standby, a little more if the display is on.
So .5 amps is reasonable for the trailer just sitting there.
Opening the disconnect on my trailer kills the fuse panel so everything that comes off of there is dead. The only things that come straight off of the battery are the slide, and jacks and they draw nothing unless you are operating them.
__________________
2018 Keystone Cougar 22RBS
2020 Ford F-350 XLT SC SRW 6.7l Powerstroke.
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07-13-2020, 11:59 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,758
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9
Sorry for creating confusion. Too much blood in the caffeine stream I was only on my first cup of coffee
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No worries. I see it often, don't know if it's a common habit or some spell or grammar checkers going rogue.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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