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Old 07-19-2015, 12:46 AM   #1
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Question Voltage Battery Drain

Love our new Voltage 3805 and have over 2,000 very happy miles on it already.

We have noticed that the batteries will go dead within 3 days - even with everything turned off (except the master). We have 2 brand new interstate deep cycle batteries in the toy hauler but something is draining them over a 3 day period. We have checked that everything is turned off and still the batteries go dead. If I use the mater disconnect switch the batteries hold their charge no problem - so I am sure it is not a battery issue. While in storage I like to leave the refrigerator on propane so that it is ready to go when we are - but with the batteries going dead the propane will not reignite.

Has anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions on what else I should be checking? Maybe this is normal.......
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Old 07-19-2015, 12:55 AM   #2
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Lots of stuff pulls power, fridge control board, LP detector and in some of the fancy trailers; stereos, amplifiers, etc. The reason your fridge won't work with the power switch off is because it needs 12v to operate.

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Old 07-19-2015, 01:49 AM   #3
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As stated above lots of things have a parasitic drain on the battery. Mine did the same over a few days. I had to install another real master cutoff switch right at the battery. the factory installed still allowed some things to pull power. Now when I turn off the battery it is really off. My battery would go a month and still start up the generator. If you want your to really be OFF then you will have to do the same at the battery.
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Old 07-19-2015, 01:56 AM   #4
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Thank you for the replies. I guess the situation I have is normal than,

Yes the Master disconnect is working fine on the trailer so that is not an issue. I will assume that there are just too many other things drawing power from the battery when the master is on - even with everything turned off (except the master).

Great Forum - Thanks!
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Old 07-19-2015, 02:50 AM   #5
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Two other items not mentioned yet that are parasitic (if they are on your model) are your back up camera and the wifi ranger. My battery is dead in 9 hours if I dont keep an eye on it.
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Old 07-19-2015, 10:20 AM   #6
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I would really consider throwing a solar panel on the roof that trickle charges your batteries. I had the same issues. Not all that expensive, and now that it's installed; problem solved.
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Old 07-19-2015, 10:22 PM   #7
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There are an ever expanding number of knowable and unknowable 12v leaks on these units, as they get larger, fancier, and new laws are passed. I had the same experience on my 2015 3800 as RvrRat. I solved the issue with solar, like Icv800, as I also wanted to leave my 12v on for some small things.
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Old 07-19-2015, 11:32 PM   #8
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If you haven't already, check the TV amplifier. If it's on it will draw a bunch. The other item I've found that is a consistent draw is the CO2 detector.
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Old 07-20-2015, 05:27 PM   #9
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Other comments are spot on regarding parasitic draws. Although it is a CO detector, not a CO2 detector. :-) My CO detector operates off its own 9V battery, but the propane detector is wired to the trailer's 12V.

I would say it is your fridge that is the main culprit since you say you leave it running on propane. The 12V control panel continuously draws power when the fridge is on, mine is rated at 1 A but I've never measured it. That's 72 Ah over three days, not counting any other parasitic loads, which would be the entire capacity of a standard single group 24 12V battery.
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Old 07-20-2015, 05:38 PM   #10
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I found the kit that my installer used on my rig (and what it really should have cost) This setup has been performing very well so far, and should more than do it for you, as long as you have 4x12V batteries or better.


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Old 07-20-2015, 09:35 PM   #11
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Also drawing power is that crazy light on the exterior radio control... No way to turn it off!
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Old 07-21-2015, 07:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aztex View Post
Also drawing power is that crazy light on the exterior radio control... No way to turn it off!
Someone posted in the forum somewhere that they gained access to the wires for this remote and rewired it to the blue switched wired from the garage head unit. I have this one on my short list as well.
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