Battery dies

[debbietaylor]

We have a 2016 Bambi 22' Sport trailer and have gone out about 5-6 times. Whenever we pick it up from our RV storage lot(about once a month) the battery is dead despite turning off the battery switch and the battery being fully charged when we store it! Is our CO2 detector draining our battery? If so how do we disconnect it when it is in storage? The service department tells us that it is normal. That we have to charge it at least 8 hours if it sits for a month. Is this your experience?

[n2916s]

The simplest solution is to remove the ground terminal (black) from your battery or pair of batteries when you leave the storage facility. Any auto parts or marine store can sell you a "quick disconnect" if you prefer.

This will remove any parasitic loads.

Mike

[Al and Missy]

It is common in Airstreams, and maybe in other trailers, that the propane detector is wired directly to the battery. My propane detector manual says that it should not be disconnected from the battery or deposits will build up on the sensor and cause false alarms for a significant period of time when power is re-applied. I have not observed this.

My CO detector is operated with an internal battery, like home smoke detectors, but I don't know about yours.

Assuming you have a single fully charged Group 24 battery (which has around 85 amp-hours of capacity) and assuming only your propane detector is drawing current, the battery will be exhausted in 50 days or less. If you also have a CO detector operating from the trailer battery or any other parasitic loads, the time will be shorter.

Your experience may, in fact, be normal. I rewired my propane detector so it would be off when the STORE/USE switch was put in the STORE position.

Al

[Native143]

How old is your battery? Mine kept draining after one nights use boondocking, or if left in storage for any length of time. Finally looked at the date on the battery, dated a 13 months old already, asked dealer for a new battery. They actually obliged. No problems since. Check your date as compared to when you bought it.

[Toy]

Our battery did not keep a charge while stored for a week. We installed a full battery disconnect in the battery box to reduce drainage. We also purchased DuraVolt Marine Solar Panel Battery Charger, 8.3 Watt from Amazon. When we park at outdoor storage I set up the solar panel between the propane box and our trailer power jack. I use Master Lock 8417D Python Adjustable Locking Cable, 6-Foot to lock solar panel to trailer frame and through the solar panel 2 Masterlock Cable Locks. We have not had an issue with a dead battery. After testing the system to ensure it was charging I installed the quick connect on the battery terminals. We needed to buy non-conductive nuts. But I am very pleased with results and the cost was no where near $1650 to install solar on trailer. When we replace our battery I will definitely get a Lithium one which with enable boon docking.

[Gallego]

I have a similar problem. Once disconnecting from shore power, even if it is for several days, the display shows aroud 9.5 watt and it does drain really quick. Are my batteries dead?. Our unit is only a couple of months old....

[Toy]

Our trailer is 2016 Sport 22 brand new on our first few voyages our battery would drop voltage very quickly and we were unable to use our electric tongue jack. Hence after many discussion with the dealer whose primary recommendation is to install 100W solar. We embarked on the path of a cut -off switch and small marine solar panel. The battery remains charged parked at storage yard with panel set up. We are currently staying in RV parks but when we start to go to National Parks with no hook ups then we will need to do something to improve boondocking. Start with expensive battery and possibly solar. I keep hoping that the technology improves.