Chassis Batteries Drain

[DieselOne]

I have a 1999 Gulf Stream Senic Cruiser that slowly drains the Chassis Batteries over 3-4 days despite 300Watts of solar panels. I have disconnected the Inverter and it didn't help. Would anyone out there have a wiring diagram for the Spartan Chassis in this unit? I am having a great deal of difficulty trying to trace where and how relays and switches are connected. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks

[450Donn]

First off, The chassis battery is not normally charged by the solar panels. Only the house battery will get this charge. Second, have you taken the battery out and had it load tested? Third, How old is this battery? Last, there are a lot of paracitic dway on engine batteries these days. things like all the computers, radio memory all draw power even when the motor is shut off. 3-4 days is really short. I would guess you have either a bad battery or a light stuck on. Brake light switch would be my first guess if everything else is good.

[Nomad100]

Notoriously difficult to trace. The alternator on the engine may need a check over as a blown diode can allow the batteries to discharge quickly.One thing you can do in meantime is fit an isolater switch to the main battery plus supply line ,somewhere accessible. This will help save yopur battery power when not in use and a useful anti-theft tool also. Mine is fitted next to the radiator under rear grille which is lockable .Happy hunting!

Best regards, Nomad100

[DieselOne]

Thanks to all who responded. It helped me get my mind around the problem. I am going to rig a relay to the alternator circuit which seems to be the one drawing power. This relay will be activated/controlled by the battery isolator switch. This is so that the alternator cannot charge into a dead circuit as the battery isolator is off/open when not running and must be on to start the engine. I will let u all know when this is accomplished. It is well below zero C right now and not fun working out in the cold.

[free-to-roam]

As mentioned, look at the simple things first. Age is very important. Internal sulphating kills more batteries than just about all other things.
Do they emit even a skight odor of rotten eggs? Are they the least bit bulged at their ends of sides? How is the eloctrolite level?
Charge them up, and totally disconnect them, see if they discharge over the same time period, that will tell you for sure if they are killing themselves. If you have to replace, remember to always replace both, not just one. The older battery will soon drag the new one down to it's life level, and then both will be useless.....look at the simple things first....bet you will find your answer...

["007"]

Battery drains on some coach's can be caused from the LP gas detector if you have LP gas and your radio.
Your step light should be off also when fully extended.
Alternators, starters should not cause a drain until the ignition switch is activated.

[normandlegra]

On my 2010 Independance gas model, I bought a 5 WATTS solar panel and plugged it right on the battery; it keeps the battery charged for weeks.

[kartvines]

Like many other I had the same parasitic drain and the only solution was to put the house battery on a disconnect switch, which solved the problem.

I alway keep it disconnected and have the starter battery on a battery tender to insure it is alway fully charged.