I have a Rockwood 2306, I have noticed to batteries are draining way to quickly. I have a 2nd battery installed and a high quality marine switch that can select A, B or Both. I typically use each battery independently. Has anyone had any issues with something draining their batteries through “phantom” power draw or other issue?
I found many phantom draws on our trailer that were not disconnected by the factory installed disconnect switch. I added my own disconnect switch on the negative battery cable and when I use it to disconnect the batteries they stay charged for at least a month with no noticeable discharge. I go over once a month the run the generator and the batteries get topped off. absolutely no problem! if you do something similar take care with the emergency brake switch. it has to be connected to the battery when towing.
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2015 cardinal model 3825fl
2015 dodge ram 3500 dually
So what I did was switched the radio standby and the refer door heater/interior light, which incidentally after filming with my phone does not always turn off when the door is closed. I left the carbon monoxide alarm to always on for obvious reasons.
I ran a switch to the control panel, the 2 upper rocker switches (red on off) switch the radio and the refer light/heater, if I want to grab a cold one I can flick the switch on/off at the panel.
I disconnected the fridge door heater at the light fixture in the fridge but kept the light functional. Changed the bulb to LED just because. When boondocking I pull the fuse from the radio unit except when in use. I took a 12 volt backup battery from a DSL modem which I installed with an isolation diode for the CO/propane detector. The reason for this is twofold...to offset the phantom current drain, but more importantly to buffer the voltage at the detector during high current drain such as when the furnace fan and exhaust fans are running to avoid the low voltage alarm going off and freaking out the dogs. I bench tested the backup battery and detector and found the battery alone can run the detector for several hours before going low enough to trip the alarm.
At rest during the daytime the only drains will be the fridge and water heater control circuits and one small LED in the panel of the 12 volt accessory outlet.
I did several of the fixes above, because even with a 15 watt solar panel, my batteries would discharge in storage. I now have a disconnect at the negative terminal, for when I am storing it. Now the battery stays charged all winter.
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