8283SS Power Drain

bschift · 11-16-2010, 03:44 PM

I recently bought an 8283SS and love it. I have a question/concern on power usage when the unit is stored.

It had a fully charged, known good battery and sat for about 3 weeks. No lights or anything else with a switch were turned on but over that time the battery slowly discharged to zero. (it was a gradual 'leak down,' I checked it several times over the 3 weeks.)

Is this normal or do I have an electrical leak? Should I just disconnect the battery when the RV is stored? I'd like to use one of the solar trickle chargers on it but the battery runs down too fast for my solar unit to keep up.

Thanks.

**Herk7769** · 11-16-2010, 03:52 PM

Unless you have a battery disconnect switch there is enough parasitic consumption to kill a good sized battery in 3 weeks with ease.

The Concertone is "on" even when it is "off" and the Propane detector is hard wired to the battery. Lots of electronics in the Fridge that draw power when "off."

Your best bet (if you have a three stage charger - most new ones) is to leave the unit plugged into shore power all the time.

If not, remove the battery completely and use a battery tender to maintain the charge. A DEAD BATTERY WILL FREEZE!

bschift · 11-16-2010, 03:55 PM

Great info. thanks,

LadyWindrider · 11-16-2010, 03:59 PM

"over that time the battery slowly discharged to zero." What were you using to measure the battery voltage with. Herk7769 is correct, but I'm wondering if you had a voltmeter that read "0'" volts, or were using the monitor panel. By the way, every time you use the monitor panel it takes current from the battery. If you had a voltmeter really showing zero volts, you have a problem that needs correcting. And now is a good time while in storage.

bschift · 11-16-2010, 04:28 PM

i didn't put a vom on it but there wasn't enough juice to light a light bulb or budge the jacks.

It charged up fine when I plugged it in.

Itsthetwoofus · 11-16-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschift

i didn't put a vom on it but there wasn't enough juice to light a light bulb or budge the jacks.

It charged up fine when I plugged it in.

If you decide to disconnect the battery, take it out of the unit and put it in your basement or heated garage, but set it on a piece of wood, never on the concret.
I always leave mine plugged in and it'll trickle charge as needed.

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