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Old 08-20-2019, 03:29 PM   #1
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Did I kill my battery?

Bought a new TT and left it parked up at my parents on the 11th. Made sure everything was off that could be turned off...but I am worried that I am going to get up there this weekend and have a drained battery. Can a 75 amp hour marine battery last 2 weeks sitting or did I wreck it??
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Old 08-20-2019, 03:34 PM   #2
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Did you turn off items or the battery disconnect? If the battery disconnect you should be fine. Individual items it all depends on the parasitic load and all units will be some what different.

When it needs to be replaced be sure to get true deep cycle batteries instead of the dual purpose marine battery.
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Old 08-20-2019, 03:35 PM   #3
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Use the battery cutoff switch to insure no battery drain. Use a trickle charger for long periods of no use.
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Old 08-20-2019, 03:39 PM   #4
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Even with a battery disconnect, the manufacturers often leave the LP detector connected.
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Old 08-20-2019, 03:46 PM   #5
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If your parents can put a low amp charger on the battery that would help with the draining issue. Battery might be drained after two weeks depending on the load on it.
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Old 08-20-2019, 03:48 PM   #6
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If charger is not an option ask them to disconnect the cable from the negative side of the battery. Be sure they label it,
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Old 08-20-2019, 04:51 PM   #7
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Cherokees don't have factory battery disconnect switches. So I'm betting the battery is dead, due to the numerous parasitic power drains. And possibly ruined by being drained completely.
OP, in the future, either keep the trailer plugged into shore power, disconnect the battery or install a battery disconnect switch.
Have the battery recharged and then tested with a hydrometer.
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Old 08-20-2019, 04:55 PM   #8
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It will definitely be pretty heavily drained from your description. Possibly to the point of damaging the battery, but there are too many factors to say yes or no. It would have been worse if you had done this in Texas or Arizona or Florida, the higher the ambient temperature the greater the self discharge rate, even if the battery is disconnected from the trailer.

The best thing to do would be to take it to an auto parts store and have them test it. They may also be able to put it through a "battery reconditioning" cycle, if you don't have a charger with this function.

The OEM charger in your trailer probably isn't going to cut it. If the charge is too low it won't even recognize that the battery is connected.

Good luck!
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Old 08-20-2019, 05:01 PM   #9
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If you choose to try to charge the battery, I suggest you set use a medium charge rate. The tendency is to put the charger on high to get it charged as quickly as possible can damage the battery further.
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Old 08-20-2019, 05:02 PM   #10
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Here's my switch. I adapted it to the battery box.
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Old 08-20-2019, 05:19 PM   #11
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If you did not disconnect a battery cable at the battery it will be dead as a mackerel regardless of the disconnect switch as it don't disconnect everything, crazy But true
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Old 08-20-2019, 05:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tatosian24 View Post
Bought a new TT and left it parked up at my parents on the 11th. Made sure everything was off that could be turned off...but I am worried that I am going to get up there this weekend and have a drained battery. Can a 75 amp hour marine battery last 2 weeks sitting or did I wreck it??
Yes a battery can sit idle for 2 weeks without an issue.
For instance, my situation this spring. My 5th wheel sat for over a month with the battery disconnected and I had no issues.

However, as others have indicated, if you have a parasitic draw (like a radio, CO2 or smoke alarm that uses 12v power) you may have an issue.

To test if you have a parasitic draw you will need an amp meter. I use a digital volt/ohm meter which will read up to 10a and is a Klein Tools MM400 that I bought from Amazon for $50. Also, when taking the measurement, be sure to set to the meter to the highest amp reading setting your meter is capable of to avoid blowing the internal fuse in the meter and then adjust to lower settings if needed.

To get started
1. Fully charge your battery
2. Turn everything off
3. Disconnect the negative lead from your battery.
4. Place the positive lead from your meter on the negative lead that is now disconnected from the battery.
5. Place the negative lead from the meter to the negative post of the battery.
6. Observe amp draw reading.

If you have any readings then you have a draw. To eliminate that, add a battery disconnect.

Hope it helps
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Old 08-20-2019, 07:19 PM   #13
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Thanks for the quick responses! I didn’t disconnect the negative lead when I left...still new and learning...having them disconnect it now and seeing if they have a charger....good news is I was planning on upgrading the battery...just not until spring. Hopefully it still has some life left.
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Old 08-20-2019, 08:05 PM   #14
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If they disconnect only the negative lead and leave the positive lead connected to the battery have them cover the negative lead with some kind of insulating material, I use a finger I cut off a rubber glove. Otherwise if the negative lead makes contact with the frame it can short out.
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Old 08-20-2019, 09:07 PM   #15
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Pirate voltage will draw down your battery over time. You either need a battery disconnect or you need to disconnect the negative ground cable on your battery.
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Old 08-20-2019, 09:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithInUpstateNY View Post
If they disconnect only the negative lead and leave the positive lead connected to the battery have them cover the negative lead with some kind of insulating material, I use a finger I cut off a rubber glove. Otherwise if the negative lead makes contact with the frame it can short out.
Not true. The negative lead is purposely connected to the frame already. Unnecessary work and confusion.
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Old 08-21-2019, 01:13 PM   #17
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I have found the only good way to check the condition of the batteries is to checked them with a Hydrometer..(if you can remove the fill caps).. "Fully" charge the battery and then check each individual cell for condition... If any of them are weak, replace the battery.. suggest using two 6 volt golf cart batteries for better results if the batteries need replacing.. SEE: Napa Store
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7...battery+tester
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Old 08-21-2019, 01:42 PM   #18
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If the battery was fully charged when you parked the trailer and you turned everything off like you stated, then your battery will still be just fine after sitting for two weeks. My wife's SUV has sat for months and the battery still crank the engine, some on here are giving you their opinion and not true facts.
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Old 08-21-2019, 01:45 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithInUpstateNY View Post
The OEM charger in your trailer probably isn't going to cut it. If the charge is too low it won't even recognize that the battery is connected.

Good luck!
I do not understand the above statement.
  • The "converter" will power the 12v loads in a trailer even if no battery is connected.
  • The battery and the trailer are connected to the converter.
  • Therefore, if the converter is powering the lights/fans/etc. in the trailer, it is also applying voltage to the battery. The only exception is when the 30/40 amp reverse polarity fuses have blown.
The converter voltage does vary a little, based on battery state of charge, but it will always apply a voltage in the 12-13 volt range.
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Old 08-21-2019, 01:53 PM   #20
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I installed a disconnect switch next to the converter, positive cable. This isolated everything in the RV including the CO and propane alarms. As for charging I installed a small solar panel on the 'rock guard' over the front window, works great for me.
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