old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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have you checked the water in them
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ken burke
usa
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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lcrvers wrote:What could be causing my batteries to run down in three days with no apparent load? Yes I finally remembered to turn off the antenna booster. No lights or anything apparent is on. I know some of the sensors have a slight drain, but not that fast.
It could be that your convertor is shot. The converter in a trailer takes in the 110 volt ac power from the plug in and convertes some of it into DC power. The DC power is used to charge the batteries. Check out the convertor. It should have 110 volts (or 120 AC volts)coming into the convertor. The output of the convertor should be 12 volts (or 13 volts) DC volts. You can buy the convertor on line and change it out yourself.
ken
2011 Ford F-350 6.7 diesel, Crew Cab, LB, SRW, 4X4, White
Cedar Creek 34SB, 37 feet 5th wheel, Reese 20K Hitch
"So many questions, so little time."
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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After you shut everything down. Put an ammeter between the positive lead and the battery post. See if there a current drain and find that.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
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diesel man 03
the north country
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Joined: 01/08/2011
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Most likely you need new batteries and them try to keep them in a charged condition when they will sit for a while.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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amazing no one has mentioned the gas detector or the co detector, and if you have a smoke detector.. also electronics from the apliances, radio ect. all these have a small draw but added up they will pull down a smaller battery in no time.
I remember my old tent trailer with nothing but a propain drtector uses to get low after about 5 days, but the 30 foot trailer with all the toys only took a day or two befor I upgraded the batteries.
first like some have asked how old, what type and have they been pulled below 50 percent a lot of times (for a 12 volt marine type or car type)
Steve
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Ponderosa
Western US
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Joined: 06/24/2003
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Your batteries are shot. I never get more than two years out of batteries even with a solar panel keeping them charged when not in use in my truck camper. I put a switch in the fifth wheel to completely disconnect them when not in use. They are like the tires, they don't last very long if you let them sit.
2011 Coachmen Freelander 27QB
2006 Nissan Frontier NISMO toad
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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lcrvers wrote:The batteries (and trailer) are just two years old. Had it charged up - according to the battery "level" indicator - about three days ago. Today the battery level showed down to the bottom mark -- low. I checked the batteries and they both read 10.6 volts (disconnected). Right now with the trailer plugged in the charge level/voltage at the batteries is 13.3. The typical battery monitor only serves one purpose - for the salesman to sell the rig.
The first step is to have the batteries load tested at an auto store for free. Next install a disconnect switch right on the batteries.
Next find out what is using power from the batteries. Buy a Sears AC/DC clampon ammeter so you can track down the draw. $100 may seem expensive but this a very valuable tool for measuring both AC/DC current and voltage and will pay for itself because you'll know a lot more about your electrical system.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42 Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
2004 Honda CR-V
Bob
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