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12 V current drains

Yahoo Message Number: 15808
I would like to boondock without shore power as long as possible before using the generator to recharge the batteries.
However, when not connected to shore power (120V AC)and everything I could think of turned off, the TRACE panel on my '03 Allure still indicates a 12 V drain of 4 amps. What are the hidden loads and could they be turned off?

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15814
Hi ?

My 02 Allure's phantom loads total 1.6 amps. Still too much but the best I can do. The solonoid valve on the propane tank is a lot of it but you need it to run the refrigerator. Are you sure the inverter is off?
Andy

Quote from: gwboard2000
I would like to boondock without shore power as long as possible

before

Quote
using the generator to recharge the batteries.
> However, when not connected to shore power (120V AC)and everything I > could think of turned off, the TRACE panel on my '03 Allure still > indicates a 12 V drain of 4 amps. What are the hidden loads and

could

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15874
Andy:

Inverter is off, along with the refrigerator heat strip and ice maker. Any other ideas?

George

Quote from: Andy Ring
Hi ?

My 02 Allure's phantom loads total 1.6 amps. Still too much but

the

Quote
best I can do. The solonoid valve on the propane tank is a lot of

it

Quote
but you need it to run the refrigerator. Are you sure the

inverter is

Quote
off?

Andy

[quote author=gwboard2000"

>

> I would like to boondock without shore power as long as possible > before

> using the generator to recharge the batteries.
>

> However, when not connected to shore power (120V AC)and

everything I

Quote
could think of turned off, the TRACE panel on my '03 Allure

still

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15875
From: "gwboard2000" gwboard2000@...> (snip) > Inverter is off, along with the refrigerator heat strip and ice

Quote
maker. Any other ideas?
CO/fire/LP detectors; radio/clock memories; and I strongly suspect that a Fantastic Fan is using some juice while in the raised position ... monitoring itself while waiting to 'see' if moisture gets on the rain sensor. Does anyone know if I'm right?
And don't forget to look for things like a storage bay or closet light inadvertently left "on."

Make sure that your batteries are clean 'cause dirty batteries can cause a slight discharge, as I learned from reading an article recently.
And, ironically, a Nordskog LED voltmeter, such as I have plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet to monitor house batteries, is a slight load, too.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna (in Key West) '98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15876
If you have the theatre sound system, you will find that the amplifier to the system has power to it all the time. On mine it was drawing 350 milliamps not playing any tunes. Don't know what it draws when playing tunes. The leak detector also draws current, if you have the HWH leveling system on, it also draws current. Just a couple of places to look.
Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15882
Hi George

The only thing I can think of is to start shutting things off one at a time (or pull fuses to shut off selected loads) while watching your amperage draw. Eventually you will be able to identify all the phantom loads and the amount of draw for each. Some things are hard to find and it can be a long job. My system has 3 cables running from the positive house battery post. If you have more than one cable you might disconnect one at a time and perhaps identify what circuit the offending load is on. It would be handy to have the CCI schematics to do this.
Good luck
Andy

Quote from: gwboard2000
Andy:

Inverter is off, along with the refrigerator heat strip and ice > maker. Any other ideas?

George

[quote author=Andy Ring"

>

> Hi ?
>

> My 02 Allure's phantom loads total 1.6 amps. Still too much but > the

> best I can do. The solonoid valve on the propane tank is a lot

of

Quote
it

> but you need it to run the refrigerator. Are you sure the > inverter is
> off?
>
>

> Andy
>
>
>

[quote author=gwboard2000"
>]
> >

> > I would like to boondock without shore power as long as

possible

Quote
before

> > using the generator to recharge the batteries.
> >

> > However, when not connected to shore power (120V AC)and > everything I

> > could think of turned off, the TRACE panel on my '03 Allure > still

> > indicates a 12 V drain of 4 amps. What are the hidden loads

and

Re: 12 V current drains

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15883
George

Don mentioned the sound system. He is right, that's a good one to shut off. I put a switch in the panel next to the radio to shut this one off when I am dry camping and not using the radio.

Andy

Quote from: gwboard2000
Andy:

Inverter is off, along with the refrigerator heat strip and ice > maker. Any other ideas?

George

[quote author=Andy Ring"

>

> Hi ?
>

> My 02 Allure's phantom loads total 1.6 amps. Still too much but > the

> best I can do. The solonoid valve on the propane tank is a lot

of

Quote
it

> but you need it to run the refrigerator. Are you sure the > inverter is
> off?
>
>

> Andy
>
>
>

[quote author=gwboard2000"
>]
> >

> > I would like to boondock without shore power as long as

possible

Quote
before

> > using the generator to recharge the batteries.
> >

> > However, when not connected to shore power (120V AC)and > everything I

> > could think of turned off, the TRACE panel on my '03 Allure > still

> > indicates a 12 V drain of 4 amps. What are the hidden loads

and