draining battery - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen RV Owner's Community Forums > New Member Introductions
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-08-2022, 11:54 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Grand Junction
Posts: 1
Colorado
draining battery

Newbie here. I couldn't find a thread regarding my problem. I have a Kodiak Cub 2020 18'. My battery is being drained overnight, off grid. Items I use are pump, propane refrigerator, water heater, bathroom vent fan, a few lights, and the slider out and in. The battery is new. Why is my battery draining and what should I do about it?
__________________

smhoefer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2022, 04:44 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
ewarnerusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 610
Montana
How do you maintain the battery when you're not using the camper? The items you mentioned shouldn't drain overnight during typical use. But how the battery is maintained when not in use will affect its lifespan and performance when in use.
__________________

__________________
2012 Aspen Trail 2710BH | 470 watts of solar on the roof | 2x6V GC batteries | 1500 watt PSW inverter | Micro Air on A/C | so far strictly boondocking
ewarnerusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2022, 08:33 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Beaver Dam
Posts: 945
Wisconsin
Kodiak Cub Battery Life

Current specifications for Kodiak Cubs do not include an 18 foot floor plan. The smallest is 21.5 feet. What is the model number?

If you have an inverter in your Cub it could draw the battery down quickly. Features and options on the Dutchmen Kodiak site do not include an inverter, but one could easily be added after market.
https://www.dutchmen.com/product/kod...andardsOptions

Next is the furnace fan. The furnace fan uses substantial current when it is running.

The refrigerator is another possibility. The options on the website don't list the refrigerator model. Most absorption refers use 12 volt for the control circuits, however the control circuits use very little 12 volt power. Run refer on propane to minimize 12 volt usage.

Some refers use 12 volts to heat the boiler in the absorption system. This type of refer could easily draw the batteries down overnight. It is unlikely you have one of these.

To know what is happening for sure, you could install a shunt type current monitor in the battery negative wire. You would be able to read current draw when various appliances are running.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energ...803471&sr=8-39

Certainly battery capacity matters. My 2018 Cub came with a 70 amp hour battery. I quickly switched to two 100 amp hour AGM batteries. The 200 amp hour battery bank will last for 5 nights of dry camping in the summer. It lasts for Three nights of dry camping in freezing weather with the furnace running.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!
__________________
Paul Bristol
Dutchman Kodiak Cub KD176RD 2018
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
persistent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2022, 10:48 PM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Stafford
Posts: 5
Virginia
Quote:
Originally Posted by smhoefer View Post
Newbie here. I couldn't find a thread regarding my problem. I have a Kodiak Cub 2020 18'. My battery is being drained overnight, off grid. Items I use are pump, propane refrigerator, water heater, bathroom vent fan, a few lights, and the slider out and in. The battery is new. Why is my battery draining and what should I do about it?
Are you running your water heater on propane or electric?
HappyCamper7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×