Battery Drain During Storage

[ltorgy]

Hi All. I'm new to the forum, but have already found it incredibly useful. My concern: we just purchased a 2015 25' Flying Cloud. This is our third trailer, but our first AS. While in storage, I was dismayed by the constant drop in voltage in our two 12-volt batteries over time. This has never happened to our other trailers. It's a drop of about 0.1 volts per week. Is this normal while the batteries are in "storage" mode? The only electrical device that stays on all of the time is the carbon monoxide monitor - I know this since the little green LED stays on no matter what. Why is that and is there a way to turn it off when not in use? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Nomad518]

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your new AS purchase. The answer to your question is, yes this is normal. Even when your trailer is in storage mode, there is a continual draw on your batteries charge. The best way to deal with this is to disconnect your batteries entirely when your trailer is in storage unless you have a way to keep them charged (solar or battery tender). My AS has only one battery. When I'm putting it into storage, I remove the battery and bring it home where it sits in my garage. About once a month, I make sure it is fully charged with my trickle charger. Doing this will greatly extend the life of your batteries. If you leave your batteries in your trailer while it's in storage, they will eventually discharge completely and your batteries will be toast. At that point, the only solution is to buy new batteries.

[dznf0g]

I moved my propane detector circuit to the downstream side of the store switch, eliminating that draw when in store mode.

[HowieE]

As mentioned above move all loads to the output side of the storage switch.

Another thing to keep in mind. Twin batteries have to be in balance. If not the lower battery will draw down the good one. This dose not appear to be the problem here but keep it in the back of your mind and get a specific gravity tester to have on hand.

[m.hony]

In "store" mode, my batteries still have a charge after 6 weeks or more parked.
We are headed out this afternoon. Yesterday afternoon I went to the trailer, turned the switch to "use" and turned on the refrigerator. All is good.

[TomKirk]

It is ALWAYS good policy to disconnect batteries when a rig of any kind is not being used for a significant period of time. Use a trickle charger with a timer to keep batteries fully charged.

Moreover, batteries should be kept at room temperature during cold weather - a heated garage is ideal.

Doing the above will extend battery life considerably.

Tom

[idroba]

Originally Posted by TomKirk

Moreover, batteries should be kept at room temperature during cold weather - a heated garage is ideal.

Tom

Not necessary at all. See my test and post on the subject.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ml#post1602338

[Jack46]

I installed a battery cutoff in the box itself. No issues, though I do remove the batteries at season's end and keep them over the winter on a trickle charger n the garage. We have AGM batteries.

[Howard L.]

For what it's worth--and I know many disagree--I leave the stored trailer plugged into 120 without turning switch to storage mode. 2012, 30 Flying cloud, original interstate 24 batteries and AS factory installed charger. Batteries always at 100% per Tri Metric batt. monitor when I pick it up. I always check the batteries and have never added a drop of water. Batts. seem to do as well on boon docking overnights as the 24s ever did. Replacement's, probably next year, will be Trojan golf cart 6s like idroba above has.

[2dabeach]

I had the same problem with my 2007. Just install a switch in the 12 volt DC power supply line going to your propane detector and shut it off when your going to leve it in storage.

[John Millner]

It would be nice if someone knows of a device that allows a trickle charge to the batteries when plugged into shore power. Perhaps a device that plugs into a 110 outlet then a shore power connector into that trickle charge device. What I've been doing with my Interstate is plugging shore power once every three weeks to maintain the charge in my house batteries. There has to be a better idea. It's difficult to remove the two house batteries from the Interstate. I'm surprised Airstream doesn't sell a trickle charge device for the house batteries that's easy to connect c

[JCWDCW]

You can buy a 12 v float charger for about $30-50. I have one ...a tiny little thing that I can set for 2, 4, or 6 amps charging, that switches to float when the batteries reach full charge. I don't use it to maintain the house battery when in the trailer but it could just as easily be hooked up to the circuit and plugged in when the trailer is stored. Mine happens to be a Canadian Tire Motomaster Eliminator...if we have it here in Canada you certainly will find something in the States. I know there is a slightly larger unit that is sold as the charger for battery back up sump pumps.

Harbor Freight have a Centec....maybe someone out there knows if it is any good!I personnally would want somethingh more substantial.

JCW

[ltorgy]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Here is what I'm going to do:

1) I'm going to try installing a cut-off switch on the propane detector.
2) I just bought a portable 100W solar suitcase from Renogy. It apparently charges batteries at 5 amps from the sun.
3) I do have a great float charger, but I have no electricity where I store my AS, so I hope the solar suitcase does the trick. I will include an update and picture once I get a chance to try it out.
4) On a different subject, I hope to buy two 6 volt deep cycle batteries to replace my 12V batteries. I just have to increase the hight of the battery box.

Thanks again for the suggestions and pointers.

Lyle

[Dingram/Colo]

A word of caution: the propane detector is on 24/7 for a reason - safety. Think of what could happen if closing the switch is forgotten, and you have a stove propane leak. Be very cautious of that solution.

[Al and Missy]

That's why I rewired my trailer so that it would be off in store and on in use. I only have the switch in store when the trailer is in storage and then I turn the propane off.

Al

[ltorgy]

Thanks again. I can see where it would be easy to overlook a propane detector cut-off switch when using the trailer. One option is to not install a cut-off switch and use my new 100W solar panel to charge the AS batteries at it's storage site when needed. Then when I take the batteries out for winter storage, I keep them on my float charger at home.

[Jim Foster]

I solved the problem several years ago with solar on both trailers. Batteries stay up, don't need water often. With two trailers, one or the other may be in storage for extended periods. Never a worry or a problem.
I think that, in the end, solar is by far the best way to keep your batteries up in outdoor storage.


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