What to turn off in 2008 Discovery

[redbill1234]

I just got a 2008 Discovery 40X and am wondering what to do when I park it for a month or so. I shut off the main and auxillary battery switch, and the steps stay up, but if I leave a switch on it seems to have a low battery warning after a few days. Could anyone tell me the best way to leave it for a period of time. Also do these switches have any bearing on the starting batteries, and what batteries is the solar panel charging. Any help would be appreciated.

[The General]

Hi Redbill,

Your main switch is the starter battery and charging is aided, a little, by the solar panel charger. The auxillary battery switch is the bank of house batteries which are usually 6 volts. When in storage, all switches should be off while in storage.
I maintain my batteries by checking fluid levels that must be well above the lead plates, checking for corrosion (white stuff), and making sure all chasis ground wires are secure and making contact with bare metal.



Steve

[Elkhartjim]

When you park it, will it be connected to shore power? If so, then you don't need to turn anything off. If you aren't connected, even with both switches disconnected your batteries will discharge over time due to phantom loads (Co2 detector, smoke alarm, radio, etc.) Older batteries will of course drain faster than newer batteries. I leave my unit connected all the time but then I have the advantage of keeping it at my home.

Don't be a stranger on the forum.

[The General]

redbill1234,

I've been in storage for as long as 4 months with switches off and no problem starting, when I was ready to rock and roll, as long as the batteries are good, properly filled, charged and the switches are off. When connected to a/c, while in storage, have switches on and as Elkhartjim stated.


Steve

[pcurt23]

07 38v Bounder Diesel. Here is what I do for the summer months between trips (up to 4 weeks) I leave the engine batteries ON so that my key lock remote works. I turn OFF the house batteries. I also must turn OFF the inverter by pushing the button on the power panel. You would think that it would be controlled by the house battery switch. To date, I have not had any battery issues. My solar panel does very little, but I live in Michigan where there is no Sun. I also start the generator before starting the engine, thinking that once the generator is running it is just a matter of time before I have enough power to start the engine if the battery is low. Handy tip for winter ... If you fail to charge the batteries during storage (like me) then Jump Start the generator and not the engine. You do that by attaching the jumper cables to the house batteries.

[redbill1234]

Thanks for the advice from all, I have found if I leave the main on for steps and door latch it is showing batteries discharged after a week. So I guess I could have weak batteries. I am going to turn both switches off and then climb out I guess and lock with key. Even when it says low battery when main is left on it still starts the engine okay. A friend told me today that their batteries only lasted 3 years, does that sound right, although I bought at Lazyday I guess they could still have not checked for shape of batteries, they let me go out with faulty leveling jacks and unfortunately I parked for 3 mths, and they say no warranty, even tho I had problem from start they worked on it once while I was parked and the tech eaid it was a control problem, then when one would not retract about a mth later they said it was a different problem and I would have to pay to have fixed, and wait 3 weeks for an appointment. So I am going to try cleaning motor brakes and fixing it myself. I am having mixed feeling about Lazydays as I didn't even try to beat them down in price.

[Daytripper63]

What I do for my 08 40X is open both the door and screen door which will put out the entry steps and then turn off the battery disconnect switches while the doors are open, and that will leave the entry steps in the out position

[redbill1234]

Good thought, but I live in Adult Community, and we have RV parking. A trailer is parked next to me and I would be afraid they might hit them backing in, so I have just decided I would climb out with all batteries off. Safer that way than to come back to mangled steps.

[mgosselin]

Is there a switch in the battery compartment that we should turn off also when storing for more than a month at a time? Replacing my batteries this weekend while camping and want to make sure I take care of them properly.

[redbill1234]

I do not have a switch in the battery compartment, but I will be adding one soon as I find one. They seem to be used more in the Marine Industry, meantime I disconect the hot cable in the battery compartment. In 2008 up on left side of battery compartment is a junction block that you can just remove one nut and take wire off. Preferable the right side that will leave hot one still on block.

[mgosselin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbill1234 I do not have a switch in the battery compartment, but I will be adding one soon as I find one. They seem to be used more in the Marine Industry, meantime I disconect the hot cable in the battery compartment. In 2008 up on left side of battery compartment is a junction block that you can just remove one nut and take wire off. Preferable the right side that will leave hot one still on block.

I think I have a junction block on my unit. I purchased my unit from Riverside Fleetwood, it was a prototype with a lot of extra's that they were testing for 2008. I am getting the coach from storage tomorrow and will look for that block. Thanks

[redbill1234]

I just connected mine this morning and actually it is a fuse by the look of it across this block. I will look later, but it may be possible to loosen both nuts, and lift the fuse link up and out, if it has open ends on it.