Community Forums

MaxB · 11-26-2019, 05:43 PM

In my first DP, past experience has been in TT. I turn off the house batteries and the chassis/starter batteries, but within just a couple of days the batteries are dead and I have to start the engine to charge the batteries to crank generator. What am I doing wrong? With all batteries disconnected is it normal for them to go dead so quickly?

Reacher · 11-26-2019, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxB

In my first DP, past experience has been in TT. I turn off the house batteries and the chassis/starter batteries, but within just a couple of days the batteries are dead and I have to start the engine to charge the batteries to crank generator. What am I doing wrong? With all batteries disconnected is it normal for them to go dead so quickly?

In some rigs you have to turn off the inverter also.

twinboat · 11-26-2019, 05:59 PM

Most times the disconnects do not turn off the inverter cables.

As mentioned, be sure to turn that off at the control panel.

As a test, plug something in to a inverter powered outlet and then switch off the disconnects. If the plugged in item still works, the inverter is on.

rte154 · 11-26-2019, 07:12 PM

Its also possible it could be a bad battery. It only takes one to drain the whole bank. Discharged during the winter at a dealer it could have frozen and damaged a cell, assuming it has wet cells. Have you noticed if it charges continually when plug in, never or seldom showing full charge?

MaxB · 11-26-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rte154

Its also possible it could be a bad battery. It only takes one to drain the whole bank. Discharged during the winter at a dealer it could have frozen and damaged a cell, assuming it has wet cells. Have you noticed if it charges continually when plug in, never or seldom showing full charge?

Have had the coach home just one week. Haven't taken a maiden voyage yet, so I can't respond to how it responds to being plugged in.

**NLOVNIT** · 11-26-2019, 07:58 PM

There are still parasitic loads, even when using the battery disconnects. The only way to be SURE you're not getting drained is to disconnect the neutrals if you aren't going to keep it plugged in.

Lori-

P.S. It will also help if you create a signature (User CP > Edit Signature) with your year/make/model of RV in it. Our members can better assist you if we know what you've got.