Vehicle Battery Drain

[Djhall]

I have a 2005/2004 Four Winds Dutchman. I can have a fully charged vehicle cranking battery but when I plug into shore power, the cranking battery drains to the point hat I have to use the emergency battery to start. I have tried to disconnect the battery on the disconnect switch just inside the walkin door but still no success. I have checked fuses but can find nothing wrong. Need some help please. Just joined the owners group to get your advice. Thanks .

[wahoonc]

Sounds like a couple of issues going on. One the battery isolator isn't working. And your converter isn't putting out power to the battery. Does the house battery go bad too?

Aaron

[Djhall]

The house battery stays charged. Only the vehicle battery drains.

[Camper2b]

Where have I heard this symptom before I just uplug from the truck when parked, problem solved. Im sure there's a flaw somwhere in the wiring just haven't got around to tracing it down.

[DesertRat]

Do you have a Four Winds trailer or motorhome?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Do you have a Four Winds trailer or motorhome?

Originally Posted by Camper2b

Where have I heard this symptom before I just uplug from the truck when parked, problem solved. Im sure there's a flaw somwhere in the wiring just haven't got around to tracing it down.

From the original description I am "assuming" Class C MoHo.

Have you had the engine starting battery tested? Along with the alternator output?

Without seeing what you have and a wiring diagram I am shooting in the dark. At the very least there should be a battery isolator to keep the house battery from discharging the engine battery. If it is bad, it might be what is happening. There are a whole series of checks with a voltmeter to determine where the power is going. Hard to explain. Here is a Youtube Video on how to test the isolator once it is out.

If it checks out then you have something else that is causing a draw.

How long does it take for the battery to go dead? After the vehicle is parked.

Aaron

[Djhall]

The vehicle is a Moho.

[Djhall]

I have installed a new battery but it does the same thing.. Not sure how long it takes to drain due to not using the Moho that often. I will try and test the solenoid

[wahoonc]

There may be a parasitic draw on the vehicle itself that is drawing down the battery. I don't know how your specific system is wired. I have seen some where the converter charges both batteries, and others where it does not. If you are installing the battery yourself, watch for a bit a spark when you put the battery terminal on. If you see one, something is pulling current. I know with most modern vehicles, they need to be cranked or have a battery maintainer on them if they aren't being driven at least once every two weeks. There are all kinds of things that pull power now.

Aaron