Batteries Dead in 3 weeks

[grandseahawk]

Hello, I have a 2020 399TH. I put it in storage and turned off the red battery key in the passenger side basement 3 weeks ago.

Today my batteries are dead. Am I missing another switch or procedure?

Thank you for any help or advice

[bertschb]

This is a common problem unfortunately. There are a few things that draw power even when the battery switch is off. The solution is to either disconnect a battery cable or add a true battery cutoff switch like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[grandseahawk]

Thank you for the reply. That looks like a Boston Switch. I’m going to order it.

Any idea what item(s) could be drawing power in the interim?

Thank you again.

[bertschb]

Any idea what item(s) could be drawing power in the interim?

It depends on the rig but it's usually the CO detector and stereo (clock only). The rear camera (if installed) was powered on some models.

[jkwilson]

Even with everything off, a conventional flooded cell battery loses about 15% of its charge in 30 days In moderate temperatures, so it’s best to either keep the battery on charge in storage or bring it home unless you use the trailer often.

[J&J___]

This is a common problem unfortunately. There are a few things that draw power even when the battery switch is off. The solution is to either disconnect a battery cable or add a true battery cutoff switch like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hi,

The switch that you have linked is to be used with two seperate batteries for switching the load between batteries or combining batteries to the load. My understanding is that for the trailer shut off you want a single circuit switch, on off, to completely shut off the powere from the battery. Wouldn't the Blue Sea single circuit 6006 be more appropriate?

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...g-goods&sr=1-1

[bertschb]

The switch that you have linked is to be used with two seperate batteries for switching the load between batteries or combining batteries to the load.

Correct. The switch I linked to is for a double battery system. You can choose battery 1, battery 2, both or OFF. It was just an example as it's the one I use. If you have two batteries this switch is nice because you can bypass a dead battery using the switch. There are several other types of switches available using that link depending on your specific needs.

[J&J___]

Correct. The switch I linked to is for a double battery system. You can choose battery 1, battery 2, both or OFF. It was just an example as it's the one I use. If you have two batteries this switch is nice because you can bypass a dead battery using the switch. There are several other types of switches available using that link depending on your specific needs.

So you have two batteries in your Solitude connected together with this switch instead of having a hard wire parallel connection between them. Never thought about connecting two batteries like this. That is why I read this forum, always something new to think about.

[bertschb]

So you have two batteries in your Solitude connected together with this switch instead of having a hard wire parallel connection between them. Never thought about connecting two batteries like this. That is why I read this forum, always something new to think about.

Correct. But, it wasn't my idea. I got it from another forum member :-)

I re-wired the battery compartment of my last Solitude and added the battery cut off switch. I'm about ready to do something similar with my new Solitude. It's a little more involved because it has the factory solar package. Just waiting for a few more parts. In the end there will be only one cable going to each battery. When I picked my RV up from the dealer, there were cables all over the place. One battery post had five cables on it!

[sande005]

Even with everything off, a conventional flooded cell battery loses about 15% of its charge in 30 days In moderate temperatures, so it’s best to either keep the battery on charge in storage or bring it home unless you use the trailer often.

That's a little too general. Here's a typical chart of how fast a lead-acid battery self discharges based on ambient temperature:



At almost room temp, it takes about 9 months to get to 50% charge level. Depending on how cold it averages over a winter, can be far, far longer before it is something to worry about.
Texas in the summer, still several months.

With a battery that is in good shape, and starts off with a full charge, there is almost never a need to keep it plugged in, whether with the onboard charger or using a trickle charger, unless one will be storing it for a very long time. Eliminates any risk of damage due to over charge/or too low water levels.
Fully charged batteries will not freeze until they get to -74(F).

Things that can draw power, even with the red switch flipped:
1. Smoke detector
2. Propane/CO detector.
3. Entertainment Center.
4. Backup camera (on many units).
5. Antenna amplifier (if not turned off, on some units).
6. Emergency brakes (if pin pulled).
7. Tongue jack on a travel trailer.


So best is to install a true cut-off switch, or disconnect all leads coming off the positive terminals.