Community Forums

RetiredBob · 10-28-2012, 02:59 PM

For years, I've been able to keep my RV's plugged into shore power at my storage place, so never had to worry about the batteries (except to keep the water topped up). I now have to move my Canyon Star to storage with no power available. It will sit for no more than three months at a time. After turning off the Battery Disconnect, what phantom draws do I need to worry about, other than the propane detector?

siggyd · 10-28-2012, 04:53 PM

No one can tell you what the "phantom draws" are,unless you measure them.
My choice would be to disconnect the MINUS side of both sets of the batteries.
Siggy

Luv2go · 10-28-2012, 06:03 PM

I agree with siggyd. The chassis battery will be discharged in a couple of weeks due to standby power to radio, engine controls, etc. Unless you have an inverter the coach batteries should not have any other phantom draws but to be safe I'd disconnect them too.

bluepill · 10-28-2012, 06:08 PM

+2 on the disconnection at the batteries. No reason to have them connected unless you have a solar charging panel. If possible, a full charge of all batteries (including an equalization) just before storage will give you the maximum length of time before a recharge is needed.

It would probably be smart to check the voltage at the batteries after a month or so. If any are below 12.3 volts, it would be good to recharge them - possibly from a running car.

irvwood · 11-19-2012, 09:06 AM

We have a 2011 Newmar Canyon Star gas model. In most cases we are connected to either 30 or 50 amp shore power The chassie battery (Starting battery) discharges after about 2 weeks because of electrical draws from the dash board (Sirius radio, clock etc). Besides putting a charger on the battery occasionally and other suggestions

siggyd · 11-19-2012, 09:19 AM

I have a small "Schumacher" 1.5Amp. automatic trickle charger on my chassis
batteries 24/7. Got it at Walmart,about $20.,it does the job.
Siggy

JC2 · 11-19-2012, 09:54 AM

One of the best things for keeping "both" batteries charged I believe is the Trik-L-Start. It basically charges one set of batteries then senses the need for charging of other batteries. We had one on our previous MH, a Winnebago Voyage, and it worked great. I t can be purchased at the following forum sponsor link.
Ultra Trik-L-Start 5 Amp Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

BFlinn181 · 11-19-2012, 10:56 AM

Funny how a question about phantom battery draw WHEN RV IS IN STORAGE WITH NO POWER AVAILABLE evolves into what brand of battery charger to use.

Previous owner installed battery post knife switches on house batteries, they work great. I found this product, wondered if anyone has used them?

Battery Disconnect Switch

"007" · 11-19-2012, 02:03 PM

Irvwood welcome to the forum and irv2.
Your Newmar has a BIRD System that will charge your house batteries and when they are fully charged the system will than charge the chassis battery.
That said your coach has to be plugged into a power source and your battery cut-off switch on.
The system will work just the opposite way when driving coach from your engine alternator.
You do not need any other devise for charging you batteries.
There is one switch you need to operate which is the LP Detector switch that works off the chassis battery through a 1 amp fuse.
If you go to QT's 1 & 2 there is more info on batteries and controls.

BIRD info threads.

RetiredBob · 11-19-2012, 05:03 PM

Irvwood, I had exactly the same problem in my 2011 Canyon Star. Turns out, the BIRD was incorrectly wired at the factory. My dealer rewired it and everything works as it should. Based on other posts, a number of Canyon Stars were incorrectly wired.