Is there a parasitic drain on a battery through the positive terminal?

[DECelt]

Hi...I added a knife switch to the negative terminal on my Solitude battery. The goal was to eliminate parasitic drain. After a month in storage, the battery is again dead.

So...is there something about the wiring of the factory disconnect switch that continues to allow a parasitic drain on the battery through the positive terminal with the negative disconnected at the battery.

The charging system does not seem to be an issue.

 

[Johnww]

I have my battery cutoff switch wired through the negative side also. I have never had a issue of the battery losing its charge while the 5th wheel is parked. I suspect you may have a bad cell in your battery. Perhaps have the battery load tested to confirm its status?

 

[Second Chance]

There's no way current can flow from a battery without the negative terminal grounded/connected to something. I'm with [MENTION=3793]Johnww[/MENTION] - have the battery load tested for a bad cell. Does your 310-GK just have one battery? If it has two, there could be grounding connections (other than the big strap) on both negative terminals.

Rob

 

[dkayak]

IIRC the cutoff leaves power on to the detectors (propane, CO2, smoke) and trailer tongue jacks. Ours sits for a month without problems, but your knife switch is a good idea. I learned an unswitched 12V to USB adapter plug will kill a motorcycle battery in 5-6 weeks, even without the GPS plugged into the USB.

A weak battery seems most likely. Time for a load test.

 

[DECelt]

There's no way current can flow from a battery without the negative terminal grounded/connected to something. I'm with [MENTION=3793]Johnww[/MENTION] - have the battery load tested for a bad cell. Does your 310-GK just have one battery? If it has two, there could be grounding connections (other than the big strap) on both negative terminals.

Rob

No...just one battery. I've brought it home and will take it down for a load test. Thanks!

 

[DECelt]

Update. I had charged the battery at home and brought it for a load test at a distributor for that brand of battery. They said it tested good...but gave me a new battery.

I guess I'm better off...but still not quite sure what the issue is. I read that a battery can test good and be bad...anyone? I'll have to closely watch the charging system this trip out.

 

[jleonard]

Update. I read that a battery can test good and be bad...anyone?

I have had batteries test good with a load tester and still not be strong enough to start an engine.
I'm talking about the style of tester that is like a giant "toaster".