Parasitic Loads on House Batteries

CaptPat · 07-11-2010, 06:33 AM

With the house battery disconnect switch in "OFF" I'm observing about 3-5 Amp discharge on the house batteries with an ammeter. This seems pretty high to me, I've checked the usual culprits like the propane detector and it is off. Seems like even if the step were wired on the battery side of the disconnect that would not account for the amps I'm seeing. I haven't made any electrical modifiactions to the coach.

During my trouble shooting I measured the resistance of the house battery disconnect switch when it was in the "OFF" position, it read 22Mohms this seems normal to me but the chassis disconnect switch measured infinite resistance when it was selected to "OFF"

For now I've lifted the ground lead from the house batteries to prevent them from being fully discharged while it's storage waiting our next trip.

**"007"** · 07-11-2010, 06:59 AM

My LP detector & steps are fed off the chassis battery. When the battery cut off is used you may still have your furnace, hot water heater, refrigerator control boards in picture. Would have to measure their inputs to verify one way or another.

DriVer · 07-11-2010, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptPat

For now I've lifted the ground lead from the house batteries to prevent them from being fully discharged while it's storage waiting our next trip.

CaptPat, When I disconnect the coach batteries everything goes dead in the back that needs 12 volts to work. The stairs and slideout motors on my rig run off the automotive side. I would investigate further what the parasitic load might be on the batteries if it continues to be a problem.

A blade switch on the negative terminal would be the ultimate disconnect - Done!