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03-18-2012, 05:01 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 48
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CO and Smoke Dtector Thoughts
We recently went to check out our 5th in storage. The purpose was to check out how it survived the winter and ready it for the first camping trip at the end of the month.
I am happy to report, all was well.
The only thing that caught me off guard was the chirping sound as we entered the trailer. I thought is was the Smoke detector at first and removed the battery. I later found out atht is was the CO detector.
Question? Should I have removed the batteries before storing and then planned to replace them before the season starts?
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2012 Keystone Laredo 335TG
2008 Ford F250 King Ranch 6.4L Diesel
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03-18-2012, 05:35 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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Have not experienced this problem, but, our CO detector is battery powered and is supposed to chirp a warning when the batteries are low.
I think I would replace the batteries or at least check them for voltage?
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Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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03-18-2012, 06:10 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Urbandale, Iowa
Posts: 49
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CO and Smoke Dtector Thoughts
As part of our Winterize/De-Winterize process all batteries are removed from all devices (including remotes) and replaced with fresh ones at the beginning of the season. If we were full-timers we'd do with our stick home, change the smoke and CO batteries with the time change. Just our 2c.
Safety First, Everythings is Fun!
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Tim & Patty (RHDW Red Head Dear Wife)
Riley (Monster Yorkie)
2011 High Country 291RLS, SteadyFast, XM Radio, Awning Sun Shade.
2011 Ford F-150 Platinum, 6.2L, Max Tow Package
Voliant Ram Air, MagnaFlow Cat-Back, Hypertech Chip, On Board Lift Bags, Anzo Projector Headlights & LED Tailights, Pace Rolling Padded Hard Cover.
Reese 16K Slider
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03-18-2012, 06:22 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim&Patty
As part of our Winterize/De-Winterize process all batteries are removed from all devices (including remotes) and replaced with fresh ones at the beginning of the season. If we were full-timers we'd do with our stick home, change the smoke and CO batteries with the time change. Just our 2c.
Safety First, Everythings is Fun!
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That's a real plan. I am uncomfortable leaving batteries in the trailer over the winter up here where the temps can dip below zero F for weeks at a time.
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'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-18-2012, 03:45 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 48
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Thanks Everyone! Great Advice!
How long does the rookie camper label lasts? (lol)
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2012 Keystone Laredo 335TG
2008 Ford F250 King Ranch 6.4L Diesel
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03-18-2012, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: wv
Posts: 504
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Till you get too 100 post I think
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2002 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 k&n cold air intake
2011 keystone hideout 26b
New tv 2005 dodge lb ctd quad cab
New TT 2014 j@%$O 32BHDS
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05-28-2012, 01:46 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: easton, pa
Posts: 2
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batteries
Where we store the trailer, there is no electric to plug into.
After a few weeks, the batteries (2) are stone dead. Can't even use the electric tongue jack. They are brand new batteries-deep cycle Interstates.
I found that the only load that stays on is the CO detector. I disabled it and plan to use a plug in (110v) that I have.
I'm waiting to see if the batteries stay up after a few weeks.
Also had thoughts about a portable solar charger.
Any thoughts about this?
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05-28-2012, 01:53 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Battery switch. There are several "vampires" like the AM/FM radio that pull a little juice constantly. Pull all the fuses or add a battery switch.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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05-28-2012, 01:59 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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edschumann -
There are two other possible causes of battery drain which you might want to check. The first is your stereo/CD player's backlight which, if not turned off (by pulling its fuse) will eventually pull your batteries down.
The second is an often-missed switch (Climate control switch) on your fridge. On many fridges, there is a small black rocker switch whose function it is to control the moisture/climate within the fridge itself. This switch is located beneath the top decoration panel that houses the control panel. Open the freezer door and look up underneath the panel. It should be in OFF position when you are not hooked up to shore power. I usually leave ours OFF almost all the time. If left ON, it will continuously draw on your batteries and can drain them fairly quickly.
If your batteries are charged up, a solar-powered trickle charger will help to maintain them but will be next to useless if they become discharged and you want to recharge them with a trickle charger. If you get a one of the larger solar panels, you will probably need a controller/regulator as well. The smaller solar chargers usually don't require one.
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2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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05-28-2012, 07:58 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado Mountains
Posts: 422
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If you install a battery cutoff switch, and charge your battery before storage, a $20 solar battery maintainer will keep battery topped up. I've used them like that for over 20 years.
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Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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07-29-2012, 04:50 PM
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#11
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Guest
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CO and Smoke Dtector Thoughts
Fred, You need to remove ALL batteries for winter storage. This includes smoke detector, CO detector, flashlights, battery powered clocks and other items. We thoroghly check the Trailer each fall for the batteries, remove them, check for charge strength, and discard the weak or dead ones. Some batteries rupture and corode your terminals.
For the 12 volt battery- I remove it at end of every camping trip and also store it in the basement during winter. I use the BatteryMinder slow charge sytem to keep it charged. Still have the original battery from 2009!
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07-29-2012, 09:11 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ontario,Califorina
Posts: 415
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Storage
Storage for me is no longer than 3 months in the winter. Always plug into shore run gen and check battery water every 2 weeks year around. Change all smoke & co detector batteries once a year. Also drain fresh water every couple of months. Refridge always on, only turned off when i defrost.
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Randy69
2010 361lev
f350 larriet 4x4
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