Parasitic Drain

[aftermath]

Have a simple question. If you hook up two fully charged 12 volt batteries and switch over to "store" mode, how long before the batteries are drained? I have a 2006 25 FB and it is new to me having just picked it up last October. I noticed that even in store mode, some of the monitors are still functioning from the lit led lights visible.

On my SOB trailer, I had a battery disconnect switch which did exactly that. No drain there at all.

Thanks for your expert advice in advance.

[overlander63]

The "new" standards say things like the LP monitor can't be disconnected. Most people manually disconnect the batteries if the trailer is going to be stored for an extended period. Depending on the age and condition of the batteries, it could be anywhere from a few days to a couple of months before they are drained.

[Wabbiteer]

Even with battery disconnected there will be a small and steady loss - the baseline for flooded lead-acid batteries is 1% "self-discharge" per day so depending on exact chemistry it could have 2% to 10% per week of its charge disappeared. AGM and Gel style batteries lose about that amount in a month.

Knowing that - its time to hunt down your accessories data sheets, just lighting an LED for 24 hours may be nearing a single watt-hour but there would be worse losses elsewhere...

[aftermath]

Thanks for affirming what I feared. The sun came out and it started to look like spring so I ran out and put my batteries in. The trailer is stored some distance away so I will more than likely go back out in a week or two and bring them back home. I can't wait for spring to actually get here.

Dick

[68 Overlander]

Expect about 15-20% self discharge per month. The LEDs are powered from DC so that can accelerate the discharge but not too much. Best to leave plugged in if you have shore power and a modern converter with a float mode or if not, a solar maintainer is the answer if you don't want to pull the batteries. Good luck.

[Skamper1]

I have kind of the same question: new off the shelf dry cell. Installed 10 days ago. Tinkered around in the trailer for a couple of hours, but not burning all the lights. Today battery is dead. Brought it home and placed on small 12volt charger. How long should I leave it charging? How to check what its charge is? Do you think I have something drawing power even if all switches are off? Will not be able to connect 110 until next weekend...I hope. Thanks. Jack

[richinny]

was the battery charged before installation?

[boondockdad]

My trimetric reads a .15-.17 amp draw with the kill switch in the storage position. Even when the SRM-27 Interstates were 'new', with a full charge, within 2 weeks, they'd be 50% SOC.

[Skamper1]

Did not check to see if the battery was fully charged when purchased. Bought it at Sam's. It did have a 2/10 sticker on it, but it could have been there longer than that. Will take it back today and verify charge status. Thanks for advice. Jack

[Skamper1]

Left battery on 12volt charger for 12hours. Took it and had it checked. 580 amps on a 550 amp battery. Guess charger does work. Hooked it up to AS and lights back on. Thanks. Jack