New 6 volts draining too fast !

[Phantom]

I installed my 2 new 6 volt golf cart batteries (Crown) in series. I unplugged the trailer from house power. I shut off the coach system (to 'store'). I charged the new set with a 3-stage smart charger. Read 'full' at 12.87 v (6.43 per each battery). Next morning batteries read 12.41 ... with ALL power shut off (except for propane and CO sensors). I turned the coach system back on.... no lights and nothing plugged in or running. By 3pm the batteries read 12.2 (about 50%)! At 7 pm read 12.18. This morning they read 12.06 (25%) ! I'm alarmed at the rapid discharge rate with no lights or power being used. Is this a typical phantom discharge from the sensors only!? Should I be concerned over the batteries themselves or go to the Airstream dealer to search for other hidden electrical drain problems? HELP!...

[azflycaster]

Either you have a bad battery or something is draining them. I would charge them up and then disconnect them by pulling the cables off of them for 24 hours and measure your voltage again. Check each battery for 6 volts as opposed to both together at 12. That will tell you if one of them has a problem like a shorted cell.

One other item that can pull your voltage down would be an inverter. Even with nothing plugged in, the inverter will use power.

[Phantom]

Hi Richard.... thanks for your input. I first charged them overnight when I first got them. The 'surface charge read 12.89 (6.41 & 6.45 each battery) at 8 am. At 11:30 am they read 12.22 (6.11 each). By my chart that is about 60%. I have no inverter plugged in. All is off in the trailer except the CO and propane sensors which cannot be unplugged and have no fuses to remove. Is there anyway to run a simple test on the trailer to find other 'phantom loads' beyond the sensors?

[ROBERT CROSS]

The "Fuse Buddy" has come in handy more than once tracing electrical problems.....Fuse Buddy

[Grumpycamper]

If there is a draw on the batteries you would probably see a small spark or arc on the battery post when you hook up the battery. There should not be an arc if there is no draw.