|
02-24-2024, 03:35 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: wilmington
Posts: 3
|
batteries keep draining
Hi I have Courage fifth wheel 27SGS 2021. I had to replace both batteries last year and I use the camper the first week of Dec. 2023. Went to check on it today and both batteries and drained again... I always switch the power off to the trailer each use ... Any ideas? What is going on ????
Thanks:
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 03:48 PM
|
#2
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Fox Lake, IL
Posts: 8
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff56
Hi I have Courage fifth wheel 27SGS 2021. I had to replace both batteries last year and I use the camper the first week of Dec. 2023. Went to check on it today and both batteries and drained again... I always switch the power off to the trailer each use ... Any ideas? What is going on ????
Thanks:
|
We just picked up our 2021 Cougar Half-Ton 29MBS on the 14th and the one thing I noticed right away was that even with the main power disconnect turned off there was still power to the auto leveling system, so that means that system is direct wired to the batteries and perhaps you either have that system turned on and not noticing it or there is a dead short in that system.
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 03:57 PM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: wilmington
Posts: 3
|
I will definitely check it out tomorrow.. Thanks
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 04:01 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,183
|
There are parasitic loads that are wired to bypass the disconnect. The ONLY way to eliminate that phantom draw is to completely disconnect the wires from the batteries themselves.
__________________
Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (for sale)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (Taking delivery 5/11/24)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 04:05 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Hershey
Posts: 114
|
Good evening. In my experience. Unless I either have a solar or an electric battery tender, the only sure way to keep the batteries from draining is to disconnect the positive terminal from the battery. There are several system, including carbon monoxide detectors that are “hard wired” and are not disconnected through the battery switch.
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 04:37 PM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,702
|
As others have noted the batteries are being used for various functions ALL the time no matter if the disconnect is on or off. The only way to stop it is to disconnect the battery if you are going to just leave it idle or put a battery tender on it. I leave mine plugged in year round and just check battery water levels.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 05:02 PM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: wilmington
Posts: 3
|
do you think a "top post knife blade master switch will solve the problem?
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 05:16 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,479
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff56
do you think a "top post knife blade master switch will solve the problem?
|
Probably but introduces another point of failure so keep an eye on that switch. I usually have my camper hooked up to shore power. Sis & BIL used my parking spot and I pulled the trailer into the cul-de-sac into the grass. Went in several days later and the gas detector was chirping and the battery dead. The gas detector and various other small draws killed my battery. I then pulled an extension cord down the hill and hooked up a battery charger/tender and the battery came back up and all was fine.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 09:20 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,224
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff56
do you think a "top post knife blade master switch will solve the problem?
|
I prefer the rotary style attached between the ground terminal and ground.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 08:31 AM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJS3791RD
Good evening. In my experience. Unless I either have a solar or an electric battery tender, the only sure way to keep the batteries from draining is to disconnect the positive terminal from the battery.
|
There is a spark potential on the positive side. Always disconnect the negative side first.
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 08:58 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 258
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff56
do you think a "top post knife blade master switch will solve the problem?
|
Short answer is yes. That is what I have done and no battery drain. I also keep a battery tender connected to maintain the charge. Problem solved.
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 09:04 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,183
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JABURKHOLDER
There is a spark potential on the positive side. Always disconnect the negative side first.
|
Please cite your source on this “statement”.
The spark is caused by the potential difference at the connection and no matter the order, the voltage potential is the same, hence why the chance of a spark occurring is still the same regardless of which terminal is disconnected (or connected) first.
Try as you might, you cannot defy the laws of physics.
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 09:18 AM
|
#13
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog
Please cite your source on this “statement”.
The spark is caused by the potential difference at the connection and no matter the order, the voltage potential is the same, hence why the chance of a spark occurring is still the same regardless of which terminal is disconnected (or connected) first.
Try as you might, you cannot defy the laws of physics.
|
20 + years as an electronics technician plus Department of Labor certified Journyman as Electronics Mechanic
As a side note, while wrenching on the positive post, accidentally touch some metal with the wrench. Instant weld. Do the same thing on the negative post and you get nothing.
__________________
2024 Cougar 320RDS Midnight Edition
2016 F350, dually, diesel, crew, Lariat
Retired USN
Rule #1. The Chief is always right.
Rule #2. In the unlikely event the Chief is mistaken, immediately refer to rule #1.
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 09:39 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,183
|
I appreciate you sharing your resumé, but the undeniable fact remains that the spark is caused by the potential difference at the connection and no matter the order, the voltage potential is the same, hence why the chance of a spark occurring is still the same regardless of which terminal is disconnected (or connected) first.
Where we do agree is that touching a wrench from the positive terminal to a ground will create an arc/spark/weld. However, it will not do that if there is no ground connected, such as when the negative terminal is disconnected first. So to that point, you are absolutely correct (but begs the question, does any of that change if the shore power cord is connected)?
__________________
Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (for sale)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (Taking delivery 5/11/24)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 04:17 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,090
|
I swear I’ve had/seen sparks from reconnecting the negative side of a battery. Half of me wants to walk to the trailer and try it.
__________________
2023 Cougar HT 23MLE
2020 F250 XLT CC 6.2 4WD
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 06:43 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
|
Either side will possibly spark when disconnected.
I prefer disconnecting the negative first mainly because the positive is prone to having multiple cables on it (coach, tongue jack, whatever gizmos the owner added), whereas the negative typically has only one, so there's only one potential spark incident instead of several.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 06:53 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Onaga, KS
Posts: 466
|
Does any of this correlate to a deckhand that worked for my brother, his nick name was "Sparky"?
My best attempt at a Monty Python esque response!
__________________
2021 Cougar 25RDS
2019 RAM 3500 Longhorn, Mega Cab, DRW,
Cummins 6.7 HO, Aisin 6 Spd HD, 4x4
|
|
|
02-29-2024, 08:29 PM
|
#18
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,702
|
Disconnect positive or negative - makes no difference. If there is a load, which there always is with the parasitic devices on an RV, it matters not which cable is connected/reconnected. The load; switch turned on, hard wired device etc. is always sitting there ready to complete the circuit. You can disconnect the positive side then reconnect....it will spark because the load circuit is there and was completed. Do the same thing with the negative cable and the same thing happens - the load/completion of the circuit causes the spark and happens no matter which end you try to connect.
Sort of like having a 30A load on a switch that is "on". Disconnect the leads then reconnect one then the other....doesn't matter which side you connect last the load is sitting there waiting for something to complete the circuit....and it can/will spark, or for a different example; take a light switch, disconnect one side or the other and turn the switch on, wet your fingers then touch the disconnected wire and the terminal on the switch with your fingers - a buzz. Doesn't matter which side you try it's the same as the spark on the battery.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
03-01-2024, 05:20 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 385
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff56
Hi I have Courage fifth wheel 27SGS 2021. I had to replace both batteries last year and I use the camper the first week of Dec. 2023. Went to check on it today and both batteries and drained again... I always switch the power off to the trailer each use ... Any ideas? What is going on ????
Thanks:
|
there are several parasitic loads, the co2 detector, the brains for the unit and such. best thing is to plug it in or put a solar system on it to maintain it.
__________________
2014 F350 Platinum
2016 Cougar RBK330
1991 Slumber queen 100WS
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|