Jayco electric questions

[Jay185co]

2005 Jayco Feather Sport



Is there a way to turn off the battery so things aren't draining it?



Will the 110 outlets work off the battery when not plugged in?



What all should work just on the battery?


Can someone suggest a replacement battery for this Camper?


Someone cut the wire to the propane detector, it seems to work if you hook the wire up. Guess they did it to not kill the battery or it doesn't work.



When the camper is plugged in does it charge the battery? I believe I saw the battery should be charging when you plug it into your truck during towing?


Just a few questions to start out with....


Thanks

[Jagiven]

Your battery should take a charge while connected to shore power. You probably have a two stage charge, not nearly as good as the current technology. As long as you are plugged in, it will keep the battery topped off.

Which battery? That is a hard question, it really varies based on what type of camping you plan to do. If you are always at a CG with electrical hookups, you only need a basic deep cycle battery group 24 will suffice. If you plan to boondock (no hookups) you may need a better battery, change out the incandescent bulbs to LEDs. Really need more information to answer this question.

120 outlets only work if you have shore power, or a generator. You can buy a power inverter to convert 12V DC to 120V AC. It can drain a battery quickly. But it really depends on what you want to power. A small inverter to power say a tv is not to bad on a battery drain. But it will drain it quickly.

Battery disconnect. Mostlikely you do not have one unless the previous owner installed one. I tend to remove the spade fuse that is at the battery. A disconnect is really easy to add.

CO/gas leak detector. They have a short life span, something like 5 years. Also if you have a low battery, they will start chirping. You should consider a replacement.

[Jay185co]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Your battery should take a charge while connected to shore power. You probably have a two stage charge, not nearly as good as the current technology. As long as you are plugged in, it will keep the battery topped off.

Which battery? That is a hard question, it really varies based on what type of camping you plan to do. If you are always at a CG with electrical hookups, you only need a basic deep cycle battery group 24 will suffice. If you plan to boondock (no hookups) you may need a better battery, change out the incandescent bulbs to LEDs. Really need more information to answer this question.

120 outlets only work if you have shore power, or a generator. You can buy a power inverter to convert 12V DC to 120V AC. It can drain a battery quickly. But it really depends on what you want to power. A small inverter to power say a tv is not to bad on a battery drain. But it will drain it quickly.

Battery disconnect. Mostlikely you do not have one unless the previous owner installed one. I tend to remove the spade fuse that is at the battery. A disconnect is really easy to add.

CO/gas leak detector. They have a short life span, something like 5 years. Also if you have a low battery, they will start chirping. You should consider a replacement.

Thanks for the reply!


I just got the camper this past weekend. The battery that was in it seems shot. I put older Interstate 24 in it from my boat. Looking to see if the battery keeps a charge or if there is a short causing it to die. I'd imagine with nothing on in the camper the battery shouldn't die right?



To answer your battery question I guess we would plan on using it for a weekend to 3 days. Pretty much just for lights and 4-6 showers for now. Would a 24 make it?



How long will the fridge run for on a 20# propane tank?


Does the camper have a sewer vent?


Thanks!

[us71na]

Originally Posted by Jay185co

I'd imagine with nothing on in the camper the battery shouldn't die right?

Does the camper have a sewer vent?


Thanks!

If your LP/CO detector is connected it will use power. Lights or clock on the stereo will use power.

A "battery post disconnect" makes it easy to disconnect the battery when not needed.

Look on the roof for your vent opening it should have a cover with a domed shape with holes on the side.

[Jagiven]

There are number parasite power drains on the battery. For me it, it takes about 3 weeks to have a major affect.

On some of the newer rigs , the power drain can be as short as a 1.5 weeks.