no power question

[DebbieMH]

I have a 2015 Anthem that I will be taking to a shop next week for it's 7 year maintenance. Normally, I take it to a shop in Alabama that keeps it plugged in for me. I've now moved to Port Charlotte, so will be taking it to a shop that was recommended by folks on this forum, Mr. Front End. Talked to them today and they need it for a couple of days and they will not have it plugged in to power. So, my question ... since I do not have the battery disconnect like coaches younger than mine have ... what should I do to prevent my batteries from dying? I'm thinking ... turning off both inverters and turn off the circuit breakers for most everything? Would that work? Thank you!

[RayandWendy]

Couldn't they plug it into a standard 15 or 20 Amp outlet? That would be more than enough to charge, let alone maintain batteries. Just remember to shut everything off and set the Magnum remote shore power to 5 amps.
Later...
Ray

[MrMark52]

For 2 days - just empty your refrigerator and flip the “Use/Store” switch to off. Unless you know your coach has parasitic battery drain that drains the chassis batteries in 2 days or less.

And yes, turn off your inverters if they are not powered with a signal coming from the “Use/Store” switch. You pretty much don’t want any 12VDC power consumption that really isn’t needed.

[DebbieMH]

Originally Posted by MrMark52

For 2 days - just empty your refrigerator and flip the “Use/Store” switch to off. Unless you know your coach has parasitic battery drain that drains the chassis batteries in 2 days or less.

And yes, turn off your inverters if they are not powered with a signal coming from the “Use/Store” switch. You pretty much don’t want any 12VDC power consumption that really isn’t needed.

I don't have a Use/Store switch.

[voltdoc]

For two days, with healthy batteries you should be ok. Make sure you are fully charged beforehand. This is assuming your fridge is empty and you don't need it running.

Turn off the inverters. If the inverters are off, you don't need to flip the AC breakers off but it won't hurt anything if you do.

Turn off the salesman switch.

What will still be running are the inverter "vampire" loads from the remote panels (about 0.4 amps each), power to the Aquahot (so make sure all those switches are off), and the propane/CO2 detector - you could pull the fuse for that, should be in the driver side front bay in front of the wheel.

So let's say between all the vampire loads above and possible others remaining you have about a 2 amp drain, that's 48 amp-hours per 24 hr period. Two days is 96 amp-hours. Your batteries when new can provide about 400 amp-hours before reaching 50% discharge. Even assuming moderate capacity loss of the house bank due to age, you should be fine.

If your house batteries don't hold out for the two days under those conditions, it might be time to think about replacing them.

Also make sure the shop knows how to use the salesman switch.

[DebbieMH]

Originally Posted by voltdoc

For two days, with healthy batteries you should be ok. Make sure you are fully charged beforehand. This is assuming your fridge is empty and you don't need it running.

Turn off the inverters. If the inverters are off, you don't need to flip the AC breakers off but it won't hurt anything if you do.

Turn off the salesman switch.

What will still be running are the inverter "vampire" loads from the remote panels (about 0.4 amps each), power to the Aquahot (so make sure all those switches are off), and the propane/CO2 detector - you could pull the fuse for that, should be in the driver side front bay in front of the wheel.

So let's say between all the vampire loads above and possible others remaining you have about a 2 amp drain, that's 48 amp-hours per 24 hr period. Two days is 96 amp-hours. Your batteries when new can provide about 400 amp-hours before reaching 50% discharge. Even assuming moderate capacity loss of the house bank due to age, you should be fine.

If your house batteries don't hold out for the two days under those conditions, it might be time to think about replacing them.

Also make sure the shop knows how to use the salesman switch.

Thank you! I was hoping you would respond :-). I'm hoping they only have it for 2 days ... they said a "couple of days" ... I'll see what happens, if my batteries are drained, then it probably is time to replace them.

[Bobby Dowdle]

You should have a battery disconnect switch at the entry to the coach. Down low next to top step. Remove everything from the fridge and turn off the inverters. That is all you need to do. There are also circuit breakers in the rear by the chassis batteries they can shut off as well.

[MrMark52]

FWIW - a “Use/Store” switch is the same as a “Salesman” switch.

Functionally, anything that disconnects the coach batteries from providing power to the coach meets the criteria.

[DebbieMH]

Thank you all. Yes, I do have a salesman switch ... guess I now know it is called something else as well. Thanks everyone, I feel better about not having it plugged in now!

[voltdoc]

Originally Posted by Bobby Dowdle

You should have a battery disconnect switch at the entry to the coach. Down low next to top step. Remove everything from the fridge and turn off the inverters. That is all you need to do. There are also circuit breakers in the rear by the chassis batteries they can shut off as well.

Bobby, not on a 2015 Anthem, Entegra didn't add the inverter switch and other disconnect breakers until the 2017 model year. 2017 and up they are in the bay just forward of the wet bay on the passenger side.

[Persistent]

You may have a Vega Touch control. Instructions are extensive. Possibly the "Away" or "Stow" buttons are what you want. Check out the manual.

https://www.fireflyintegrations.com/vegatouch.html

Advertising is prolific. Manuals are scarce and may be custom to your RV.

Dealer may give advice.

[ttom]

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I have a 2015 Anthem that I will be taking to a shop next week for it's 7 year maintenance. Normally, I take it to a shop in Alabama that keeps it plugged in for me. I've now moved to Port Charlotte, so will be taking it to a shop that was recommended by folks on this forum, Mr. Front End. Talked to them today and they need it for a couple of days and they will not have it plugged in to power. So, my question ... since I do not have the battery disconnect like coaches younger than mine have ... what should I do to prevent my batteries from dying? I'm thinking ... turning off both inverters and turn off the circuit breakers for most everything? Would that work? Thank you!

This probably a little late but when you shut down the fridge, make sure to empty the ice maker/trays or you'll have a flood the next time you open the door. Voice of experience