Draining battery

toco66 · 07-21-2019, 11:33 AM

Hi all. I just bought a 2016 Roo 183. When I picked it up the battery was dead. I charged it and left it unplugged for several weeks and it seemed to hold a charge. Now with it hooked up to the trailer it seems to be loosing a charge. I know the previous owner left the battery on during the winter. My question is is it likely that the battery is junk, or is there something on the trailer that is draining it? I've checked the obvious things. There are no lights on or fans. Fridge is only 2 way. I'm wondering if I'm missing something? Can I put a disconnect switch in to save battery power? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

gbaldwin · 07-21-2019, 11:46 AM

unhook battery in storage

Scrapper · 07-21-2019, 11:49 AM

The CO/LP detector, thermostat, refrigerator, and stereo are the major drains on batteries while they are not on shore power. They all use 12vdc as their power source. The stereo uses 12v for memory of the stations and the clock if included. The fridge uses 12v for the control board even when you run it on 120vac. You can install a battery disconnect switch but you need to place it on the downstream side of the break-a-way switch so it does not disconnect power from it.

**bikendan** · 07-21-2019, 01:34 PM

Yep, there are numerous parasitic power drains on modern RVs.
Your 2016 should have a factory battery disconnect switch. Use that while it's in storage.

Iwannacamp · 07-21-2019, 01:41 PM

Disconnect or connect to shore power or replace battery every couple years. Mine will eat the battery in less than a week...or it has.

toco66 · 07-21-2019, 03:01 PM

Any idea where that factory disconnect might be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Yep, there are numerous parasitic power drains on modern RVs.
Your 2016 should have a factory battery disconnect switch. Use that while it's in storage.

**bikendan** · 07-21-2019, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toco66

Any idea where that factory disconnect might be?

2016 was a transitional year, I think, for the disconnect switch location.
It's either down low near the entry door, a push-pull knob.
Or it's tucked down on the A-frame.
A search will bring up hundreds of threads on this, most with pics.

toco66 · 07-21-2019, 04:02 PM

Cool. Thanks for the info. These hybrids are way more complicated than our old pop up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

2016 was a transitional year, I think, for the disconnect switch location.
It's either down low near the entry door, a push-pull knob.
Or it's tucked down on the A-frame.
A search will bring up hundreds of threads on this, most with pics.

**bikendan** · 07-22-2019, 11:09 AM

Let us know where you find it.

joeuncool · 07-22-2019, 11:18 AM

There is also a good chance that the battery is hosed. If it sat in storage all winter dead then even if it does charge up, it probably won't take a full charge.

**bikendan** · 07-22-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeuncool

There is also a good chance that the battery is hosed. If it sat in storage all winter dead then even if it does charge up, it probably won't take a full charge.

Good point!

Summer2Go · 07-24-2019, 05:06 PM

I have a 2016 183 I purchased in 2015. My original battery is just about gone. The battery disconnect is under the hitch area on the frame. FYI

babock · 07-24-2019, 05:12 PM

Also, the battery disconnect doesn't always disconnect the LP gas detector. As a test, turn disconnect off, remove one battery cable and put a multimeter measuring current between the battery and the cable and measure the current.

eprovenzano · 07-25-2019, 09:49 AM

I had to install a disconnect in my unit... One tip... when you hitch up turn it on... when you return it to storage turn it off.. I forgot to turn it on during the last trip... thought I was charging the battery.... NOPE... So now I make sure I turn in the battery when hitched up, and disconnect when putting the camper back into storage.