Battery Drain

TAK14Swift · 10-12-2018, 07:40 AM

During Hurricane Michael I had staged my trailer for use during power outage. A day before the impact it showed a full charge when I pulled it off shore power. A day later when I tried to use the shower on battery, there was no power. A multi meter confirmed the battery was dead. I connected the truck with the engine running to get power for a shower. Left the truck connected for about six hours and then discovered the truck battery dead. After getting AC power restored last night I charged the battery fully with a charger. Within an hour, the indicator show the battery down to 75%. Prior to the hurricane, the battery on full charge would last for at least a week with the battery connected. During the hurricane the trailer was under a shelter and was never exposed the strongest southerly winds. Any ideas on this?

Thanks

Les7h · 10-12-2018, 07:49 AM

How old is your battery? Deep cycle or marine? I would have your battery tested ( the big box auto stores have free testing )
There are several small loads that continually draw power and as you know the battery should last several days - check on things that might have been left on ( storage bay lights or closet lights are out of sight and out of mind ) Les

Tinkman · 10-12-2018, 07:53 AM

Sounds like you have a dead cell. You can check this with a multi-meter. Remove the caps covering the cells. Put one lead on a pole and one in the acid adjacent to it. It should read about 2 volts. Then for the next cell, put the lead in the acid on the first cell and the other in the second. Keep doing this for each cell. They should all read about 2 volts. If one is really low, that's your dead cell.

33 RLDS · 10-12-2018, 08:09 AM

If you ever seen a car battery explode you probably wouldn't try what he said ^

I would just have it tested if you don't have your own Midtronics tester

TAK14Swift · 10-12-2018, 10:23 AM

I believe I have found the problem.During the process of tying down the trailer for the storm I remembered inadvertently pulling the emergency breakaway switch from the receptacle. After reconnecting the switch and checking the battery with the multi-meter, It looks like the trailer is drawing much less power so I believe that was the issue. Thanks for your input.

oldmanAZ · 10-12-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAK14Swift

I believe I have found the problem.During the process of tying down the trailer for the storm I remembered inadvertently pulling the emergency breakaway switch from the receptacle. After reconnecting the switch and checking the battery with the multi-meter, It looks like the trailer is drawing much less power so I believe that was the issue. Thanks for your input.

That could certainly drain the battery!

Be aware: Having the brakes on 'full-power' for a long time can over heat and burn out brake coils.

bdreinv · 10-12-2018, 11:04 AM

Before installing are solar,it would take about 10 days to kill the batteries in storage.

Tinkman · 10-12-2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

If you ever seen a car battery explode you probably wouldn't try what he said ^

I would just have it tested if you don't have your own Midtronics tester

I've been testing batteries like this for years. It's the only way to find a dead cell.

33 RLDS · 10-12-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkman

I've been testing batteries like this for years. It's the only way to find a dead cell.

Good for you. My Midtronics tester indicates a bad cell with out risking a explosion in my face.

ALJO · 10-12-2018, 12:58 PM

33 RDLS is correct, if your second step is to touch the liquid and a spark occurs.
Have safety as a priority!

RogerR · 10-12-2018, 07:02 PM

It is a lot safer to use an acid tester. A little glass tube with bulb on the end and some colored beads. If you have a dead cell fewer beads will float compared to the rest of the cells.

You may also like: