Author Topic: Batteries Drained  (Read 5132 times)

Dennis Crawford

  • Guest
Batteries Drained
« on: December 13, 2011, 11:29:56 PM »
I have my coach at a shop to replace the 3M mask on the front.  I started it to air it up, turned it off, brought in the slides and started it again and moved it near the shop entrance.  It sat there from Monday to Monday.  When they tried to get in, there was not enough battery to even unlock the autolock door or to let the step in.  Since it is usually plugged in, I never remember to turn off the battery switch.  These batteries are just about 1 year old.  Is there enough amp draw to drain them this low?

Dennis

Keith Oliver

  • Guest
Re: Batteries Drained
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2011, 12:57:12 AM »
Three days was enough for mine, of unknown age, then about 2 weeks reduced brand new batteries to a very low level.  All from the ECM on the CAT.  Now have a knife cut-off on the start batteries, so it won't happen again.

Gerald Farris

  • Guest
Re: Batteries Drained
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2011, 01:05:17 AM »
Dennis,
Since you did not state the year and model of your coach, I can only generalize. The ECM (engine control module) on most late model coaches equipped with a Caterpillar engine will have a high enough parasitic drain  (amperage draw) to discharge the chassis batteries in 4 to 7 days.

The house batteries should have not discharged. If the house batteries were discharged also, you left something on like a closet or bay light. Most coaches have enough solar panels on the roof to keep the batteries charged if they receive full sunlight and nothing was left on like a light.

Gerald

Gil_Johnson

  • Guest
Re: Batteries Drained
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2011, 02:04:52 AM »
On my 2008 Contessa the house batteries will discharge quickly withbthe master switches off.  I'm not sure what is powered with the switches off.  I do know the Magnum charger's remote remains powered.  Some day I"ll figure it out or put a switch at the battery.