Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: New Owner - Battery discharge (Read 694 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

New Owner - Battery discharge

Yahoo Message Number: 11414
Rick

Can't say for certain about your 3 yr old Intrigue, but I have very similar problem with my batteries on board 2004 Allure #31031. Batteries run down OVERNIGHT with only -2 amp draw indicating on the RC7GS, even with the so-called "battery disconnect" switch thrown. Cannot seem to disconnect anything else to get below -2Amps.
Incidentally, I found out from Norcold that the refrigerator, when running on LP will draw up to 1.9 amps DC !!!! So even with no other loads, the LP refrig will draw batteries dead in around 10 days or less. Now add in the other stuff that draws current even though shut down (various electronic memories e.g. backup camera, compass, radios, Hydro-Hot controller, etc.) and even our large dual 8-D batteries with 480 Amp-hour capacity when in good condition, cannot last more than 4-5 days. Add in battery deterioration due to sulfating(?) and the capability will even be less.
My house batteries (two 8-D AGM) seemed to be operating poorly.... e.g. discharging rapidly, charging up to "full" too quickly. I decided to "equalize" them. Before doing so, I called CC Tech Service to find out how to disconnect ALL of the loads so that the higher equalization voltage (Over 15 VDC) would not damage anything. Was told to locate the 7.5 Amp fuse in the fuse holder on aft side of battery compartment wall with purple wire #47 running to it. Was told to pull the fuse before equalizing. This disconnects all of the loads which were not disconnected by the "battery disconnect" switch. I then did a three-hour equalization following instructions in the manuals. Reconnected and re-programmed everything and batteries "seem" to be better.
Right now am more concerned about protecting our rig from FRANCES before it arrives to destroy what's left of our house from CHARLEY. Have it parked in field, with back end facing wind, upwind of debris piles so hopefully will not get banged.......

Joe & Carole Pehoushek in bruised but not down Punta Gorda, FL Please reply to same old joepeh@... Sign up for our FREE Conservative Clippings at www.pehoushek.com/NEWSLETTER/newsletter.php
Message: 8

Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 04:21:20 -0000 From: "Richard Aquino" rlaquino2728@...> Subject: New Owner

We are Rick and Bobbi Aquino and living in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
I have been reading this site for about 2 years and also follow some of the personal web sites.

We purchased a 2001 Intrigue, #11285, 40' DS last month and just love it. We picked the CC because of all the positive comments I have read and it is living up to our expectations. I have contacted CC support on 2 occasions and I am impressed with their response to questions. I feel like I know a lot about this coach due to following these posts for the 2 years but also know we are in for a big learning curve, these are complicated machines.

I have a question that I feel users could better answer.
I parked the coach at home last Friday, I do not have access to shore power, with the idea of leaving the fridge running, in gas mode, for a couple of weeks till we take off again. I turned off everything I could think of in addition to the invertor. I did not turn off the 2 switches in the back storage area. I checked on things Saturday and all was fine. Had to go out of town on Monday till Thursday night, I still have to work. LOL. When I went to check on the coach this morning, Friday, the steps did not come out when I opened the door and the floor light did not come on. Checked that the step switch was on and realized there was a problem. The fridge was off and warm so figured there was a battery issue. Tried to start the genset and it wouldn't start, guess it starts off the house battery. Started the engine and then started the genset, guess running the engine charges to house battery. Backup monitor comes out but no picture. Steps and fridg work now, I probably have to reprogram the backup monitor. I didn't check on anything else. I just ran the genset a few hours and turned it off and then did turn off the 2 switches in back.

With all the things not working at the same time I fugure the batteries were completly dead. This is a 2001 and I have no problem getting new batteries if that is the problem. They all had plenty of water in them.

I would have thought that just running the fridge and whatever other loads are there that I don't know about still would not have run these batteries all the way down in 5 or less days unless they are just about gone anyway.

The question is should I be able to just turn the engine off and leave the coach for a week or so and not run the batteries down? Assuming I only want the fridge on and turn off everyting else. Or is there so much of a load with the 2 switches left on that the batteries won't last a week? I assume with the switches off I can not run the fridge.

Long post but wanted to understand if I am doing things correctly. If I can't leave the fridge on like this I will just clean it out each time and turn off those 2 switches and probably won't have the problem again.

WOW, that is the only expression I can think of to use. This is one quality machine.
 

Re: New Owner - Battery discharge

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 11417
Joe and Carol, I had a similar situation with Allure 31038 and Lifeline AGMs. Batteries would draw down to empty too quickly and indicate full charge too quickly.

I talked to Lifeline tech support as found on their website. They had me test, equalize and retest. Results were poor so they sent me two new 8ds under warranty at no charge. The new ones have been performing weel including two weeks dry camping in June/July at Rocky Mountains NP.

If you wish more info from me try sandersgeorgel@...
George

George and Janet Sanders
04 Allure 31038
Mountain Brook, AL

Quote from: highstream

Rick
> Can't say for certain about your 3 yr old Intrigue, but I have very
similar problem with my batteries on board 2004 Allure #31031.
Batteries run down OVERNIGHT with only -2 amp draw indicating on the RC7GS, even with the so-called "battery disconnect" switch thrown.
Cannot seem to disconnect anything else to get below -2Amps.

Quote
>

Incidentally, I found out from Norcold that the refrigerator, when
running on LP will draw up to 1.9 amps DC !!!! So even with no other loads, the LP refrig will draw batteries dead in around 10 days or less. Now add in the other stuff that draws current even though shut down (various electronic memories e.g. backup camera, compass, radios, Hydro-Hot controller, etc.) and even our large dual 8-D batteries with 480 Amp-hour capacity when in good condition, cannot last more than 4-5 days. Add in battery deterioration due to sulfating(?) and the capability will even be less.

Quote
>

My house batteries (two 8-D AGM) seemed to be operating poorly....
e.g. discharging rapidly, charging up to "full" too quickly. I decided to "equalize" them. Before doing so, I called CC Tech Service to find out how to disconnect ALL of the loads so that the higher equalization voltage (Over 15 VDC) would not damage anything. Was told to locate the 7.5 Amp fuse in the fuse holder on aft side of battery compartment wall with purple wire #47 running to it. Was told to pull the fuse before equalizing. This disconnects all of the loads which were not disconnected by the "battery disconnect" switch. I then did a three-hour equalization following instructions in the manuals. Reconnected and re-programmed everything and batteries "seem" to be better.
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298