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Old 03-07-2016, 07:42 PM   #1
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2.2 Amp battery drain with switch off !

When I was connecting battery in prep for the season I noted a strong spark. With the battery switch Off.
Does this mean the switch is defective or that there was a mistake in the wiring?

2.2 Amp is enough to kill a battery pretty quickly. Only reason the battery lasted it's firrst few months was I have installed my own battery disconnect switch.
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Old 03-07-2016, 07:54 PM   #2
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Strong spark indicates current flow.
Something is drawing.


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Old 03-07-2016, 09:02 PM   #3
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Strong spark indicates current flow.
Something is drawing.


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That's what I thought. That's why I hooked up test instrument which found 2.2Amp draw, even with the factory battery disconnect switch in off position.
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Old 03-07-2016, 09:07 PM   #4
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For some reason the battery is still connected to the system even tho you have the disconnect in the off position. Check the babies and ensure all go thru the disconnect. I'm going to assume the spark happened when you were connecting the Ground. It is always best to connect the positive first and then the ground any spark means something is drawing power. How about you emergency brake system?
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Old 03-07-2016, 09:12 PM   #5
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I'm not familiar your rig but in general all of the OEM engine, trans, and body modules will "wake up" for a few seconds to a few minutes after a power loss. If you wait about a 45 seconds it should drop down to less than one amp.
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Old 03-07-2016, 09:41 PM   #6
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A spark is normal on any modern vehicle today, it is the computers. What you need to do is connect the positive wire to battery, then use a jumper wire ( 12 ga will be fine) to the negative terminal and the other to the ground cable. I recommend this so that of using a meter inline for amperage draws the fuse isn't blown in the meter. Wait a good hour and then connect the meter to battery and the other end to cable, make sure the jumper is still in tac. Now after meter is connected remove the jumper and read the meter. 0.2 amps is a good number, some may be around 0.4 amps.
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Old 03-08-2016, 10:07 AM   #7
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The battery drain is on the coach (Coachmen RV) battery not the chassis (Chevy) battery.

No computers or other OEM engine, trans, and body modules in the RV as far as I know.

Yes the spark happens when I connect the negative wire. My meter has a 10A range. I was expecting something lower than 1amp and was really surprised when I read 2.2Amp draw.

Will start by disconnecting the stuff in power distribution area near battery box as this is all large battery cable 0-Gauge wire. Will report what I find.
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Old 03-08-2016, 10:10 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Tireman9 View Post
The battery drain is on the coach (Coachmen RV) battery not the chassis (Chevy) battery.

No computers or other OEM engine, trans, and body modules in the RV as far as I know.

Yes the spark happens when I connect the negative wire. My meter has a 10A range. I was expecting something lower than 1amp and was really surprised when I read 2.2Amp draw.

Will start by disconnecting the stuff in power distribution area near battery box as this is all large battery cable 0-Gauge wire. Will report what I find.
Start pulling fuses. Easier than disconnecting.
One fuse at a time, until the draw goes away. Then you have found the circut that has the draw !
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Old 03-08-2016, 11:06 AM   #9
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X2 I should have mentioned that when I first posted much easier.
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Old 03-08-2016, 12:48 PM   #10
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Whatever the source of the draw...one of these on your negative post is a nice, cheap addition that will ensure there is ZERO drain on the battery. Good for storage too to prevent any parasitic drains. About 7 bucks at walmart/amazon etc.
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Old 03-08-2016, 03:48 PM   #11
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While no where near 2.2 amps the LP gas detector/CO2 detector is usually NOT hooked to the battery disconnect. For safety reasons it is hooked directly to the battery therefore a battery disconnect switch directly on the battery, as mentioned above, is a good addition. I'm voting for the brakes are on.
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Old 03-08-2016, 07:07 PM   #12
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I installed a battery disconnect switch because my batteries are in closed boxes so it is a pain to take the cable off. I first installed a disconnect switch to the positive side then read that it should be on the negative side otherwise it would still drain.

I read where the drain could come from the CO2 and smoke alarms, also some refers (Dometic i think) have a 12v heater "climate control" that sucks juice like mad. Pull fuses ...
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Old 03-08-2016, 08:36 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Tireman9 View Post
When I was connecting battery in prep for the season I noted a strong spark. With the battery switch Off.
Does this mean the switch is defective or that there was a mistake in the wiring?

2.2 Amp is enough to kill a battery pretty quickly. Only reason the battery lasted it's firrst few months was I have installed my own battery disconnect switch.

My 2013 Leprechaun has two fuses wired around the switch and directly to the batteries. One is CO2 monitor and other is power steps. I just remove the 5 amp fuses when stored.


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Old 03-08-2016, 10:02 PM   #14
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I installed a battery disconnect switch because my batteries are in closed boxes so it is a pain to take the cable off. I first installed a disconnect switch to the positive side then read that it should be on the negative side otherwise it would still drain. ... ...
Unless there is some new kind of physics that I haven't heard of, either battery terminal DISconnected will stop the drain. Drain needs a complete path from one battery terminal to the other so with either positive or negative battery disconnected, there can be no drain.
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Old 03-08-2016, 10:05 PM   #15
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Disconnecting either battery terminal insures no battery drain other than internal leakage. The only problem is that you have to remember to reconnect battery prior to towing or you have no break-away brakes.
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Old 03-08-2016, 10:17 PM   #16
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Disconnecting either battery terminal insures no battery drain other than internal leakage. The only problem is that you have to remember to reconnect battery prior to towing or you have no break-away brakes.
Exactly.
BTW, There could be some very small leakage if the top of the battery is a mess. Water, dirt, and who knows what on the top of the battery between the terminals could actually conduct a small drain. Highly rare and only in extreme cases of major build-up of 'stuff' on the top of the battery, but something to think about.
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