Dirtyhip Posted September 10, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 10, 2017 New battery must have been a bad one. Nothing was left on. We may have to go home tomorrow. We only owned this battery a few months. Lame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #2 Posted September 10, 2017 Candles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrapr ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #3 Posted September 10, 2017 call the front desk? 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdc2000 Posted September 10, 2017 Share #4 Posted September 10, 2017 http://www.campingworld.com/category/solar-panels/221 http://www.trailerlife.com/rv-gear/gear/rv-solar-power/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HHDC6NQ/ref=asc_df_B01HHDC6NQ5162527/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01HHDC6NQ&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167157220945&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14415703282251432338&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029403&hvtargid=pla-307205459660 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 10, 2017 The effects of Irma are wide reaching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #6 Posted September 10, 2017 When a woman tells you her battery went dead, it's a disaster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR46 Posted September 10, 2017 Share #7 Posted September 10, 2017 I'm running two 6v gulf cart batteries hooked up in series. To keep the batteries fully charged I'm using a 50w solar panel kit. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Renogy-50W-12V-Solar-Panel-Polycrystalline-Off-Grid-Starter-Kit-with-10A-PWM-Charger-Controller/152654662 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted September 10, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 10, 2017 I suspect there's something I'm not understanding, for if the camper battery is a 12 volt auto battery you could use jumper cables to charge it from the battery in the vehicle that's towing the camper. You wouldn't want to leave them connected for a long time, but you could charge it enough to at least get lights back on in the camper. You could also simply disconnect the dead battery and use the jumper cables to connect to the good battery in the vehicle, being careful not to run that battery down so low it won't start the vehicle. I would first suggest you recharge the battery, then put an ammeter between one of the battery terminals and the battery connector. You may have everything off, but there may be some devices that draw energy anyway even when switched 'off'. These 'parasitic' loads are common with electronic equipment that draw small amounts of current to keep the memory stored or active. The ammeter should show any current drain from the battery with everything 'off'. If the meter reads current, then it's a matter of disconnecting devices one by one until the current drain disappears. Once you find the culprit device(s), you can put a switch on the line to each device to shut it off when you're not using the camper. I would then suggest considering a battery isolator that allows one alternator to charge two batteries. You could run a couple of wires from the battery isolator to the camper, and the camper battery would charge while you're towing it. If the camper is parked, then you could pull the vehicle up to it, connect the cable, and charge the camper battery from the isolator in about 15 minutes or so. The solar panels mentioned would be a good idea to trickle charge the battery while you're away, assuming the parasitic loads aren't more than the solar panel can put out. If the camper is left unattended at a place away from home, you may want to consider putting the panel up on the roof or inside the trailer up against a window so you don't lose it to someone's Five Finger Discount Supply Store. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted September 10, 2017 Share #9 Posted September 10, 2017 3 hours ago, Longjohn said: The effects of Irma are wide reaching. That is what I was going to say. I'm sorry DH that your trip has stress it should not have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #10 Posted September 10, 2017 3 hours ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said: I suspect there's something I'm not understanding, for if the camper battery is a 12 volt auto battery you could use jumper cables to charge it from the battery in the vehicle that's towing the camper. You wouldn't want to leave them connected for a long time, but you could charge it enough to at least get lights back on in the camper. You could also simply disconnect the dead battery and use the jumper cables to connect to the good battery in the vehicle, being careful not to run that battery down so low it won't start the vehicle. I would first suggest you recharge the battery, then put an ammeter between one of the battery terminals and the battery connector. You may have everything off, but there may be some devices that draw energy anyway even when switched 'off'. These 'parasitic' loads are common with electronic equipment that draw small amounts of current to keep the memory stored or active. The ammeter should show any current drain from the battery with everything 'off'. If the meter reads current, then it's a matter of disconnecting devices one by one until the current drain disappears. Once you find the culprit device(s), you can put a switch on the line to each device to shut it off when you're not using the camper. I would then suggest considering a battery isolator that allows one alternator to charge two batteries. You could run a couple of wires from the battery isolator to the camper, and the camper battery would charge while you're towing it. If the camper is parked, then you could pull the vehicle up to it, connect the cable, and charge the camper battery from the isolator in about 15 minutes or so. The solar panels mentioned would be a good idea to trickle charge the battery while you're away, assuming the parasitic loads aren't more than the solar panel can put out. If the camper is left unattended at a place away from home, you may want to consider putting the panel up on the roof or inside the trailer up against a window so you don't lose it to someone's Five Finger Discount Supply Store. Good advice, but you gotta remember you're dealing with a nurse and a secretary. Muahahahahahahahaaha <<ducking>> 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted September 10, 2017 13 minutes ago, 2Far said: Good advice, but you gotta remember you're dealing with a nurse and a secretary. Muahahahahahahahaaha <<ducking>> we opted not to chance running the battery dowm, you ass. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted September 10, 2017 Share #12 Posted September 10, 2017 23 minutes ago, 2Far said: Good advice, but you gotta remember you're dealing with a nurse and a secretary. My original thought was to have DH make a mean face at the dead battery and scare it back to life... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted September 10, 2017 Share #13 Posted September 10, 2017 4 hours ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said: I suspect there's something I'm not understanding, for if the camper battery is a 12 volt auto battery you could use jumper cables to charge it from the battery in the vehicle that's towing the camper. You wouldn't want to leave them connected for a long time, but you could charge it enough to at least get lights back on in the camper. You could also simply disconnect the dead battery and use the jumper cables to connect to the good battery in the vehicle, being careful not to run that battery down so low it won't start the vehicle. I would first suggest you recharge the battery, then put an ammeter between one of the battery terminals and the battery connector. You may have everything off, but there may be some devices that draw energy anyway even when switched 'off'. These 'parasitic' loads are common with electronic equipment that draw small amounts of current to keep the memory stored or active. The ammeter should show any current drain from the battery with everything 'off'. If the meter reads current, then it's a matter of disconnecting devices one by one until the current drain disappears. Once you find the culprit device(s), you can put a switch on the line to each device to shut it off when you're not using the camper. I would then suggest considering a battery isolator that allows one alternator to charge two batteries. You could run a couple of wires from the battery isolator to the camper, and the camper battery would charge while you're towing it. If the camper is parked, then you could pull the vehicle up to it, connect the cable, and charge the camper battery from the isolator in about 15 minutes or so. The solar panels mentioned would be a good idea to trickle charge the battery while you're away, assuming the parasitic loads aren't more than the solar panel can put out. If the camper is left unattended at a place away from home, you may want to consider putting the panel up on the roof or inside the trailer up against a window so you don't lose it to someone's Five Finger Discount Supply Store. That's what I was going to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR46 Posted September 10, 2017 Share #14 Posted September 10, 2017 1 hour ago, 2Far said: Good advice, but you gotta remember you're dealing with a nurse and a secretary. Than you'll need this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted September 10, 2017 That system would be a welcome to a nomadic Van life with the other cannibals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted September 10, 2017 Share #16 Posted September 10, 2017 5 hours ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said: I suspect there's something I'm not understanding, Yeah, the amperage that the devices she’s plugging in are drawing.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share #17 Posted September 10, 2017 Nope. nothing drawing. I charge my phone off the truck, when we drive. Also, we have a charger for usb. only lights on the trailer drawing. we unplugged those, except for movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Come Lately Name Posted September 10, 2017 Share #18 Posted September 10, 2017 1 hour ago, Dirtyhip said: Nope. nothing drawing. WHOOSH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR46 Posted September 10, 2017 Share #19 Posted September 10, 2017 Is your trailer set up so when it's hooked up to the vehicle it changes the camper battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_photog ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #20 Posted September 11, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted September 11, 2017 Share #21 Posted September 11, 2017 Makes a big difference when you're dry camping. The only time I have to fire the generator is when we want to run the AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #22 Posted September 11, 2017 I am not sure any one has mentioned it, but you can hook up the vehicle to the trailer so it charges or you can get solar panels. You can also check for parasitic drain even though everything appears to be off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #23 Posted September 11, 2017 1 minute ago, UglyBob said: Makes a big difference when you're dry camping. The only time I have to fire the generator is when we want to run the AC. Nice meth lab! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted September 11, 2017 Share #24 Posted September 11, 2017 1 minute ago, Wilbur said: Nice meth lab! It pays the bills... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #25 Posted September 11, 2017 2 minutes ago, UglyBob said: It pays the bills... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share #26 Posted September 11, 2017 17 hours ago, BR46 said: Is your trailer set up so when it's hooked up to the vehicle it changes the camper battery? No. We believe it is a bad battery. Nothing was running on the camper that uses DC. We turned on the light, when it got dark and it was dim. No juice. All of my electronics were on their own charge, or recharged with the truck. So, we unplugged the trailer tow light cord, in the event that something was wrong causing a drain. Getting stuck in the woods would be a call to AAA. The solar panels would be nice, but what about being gone from camp for long periods of time? Thieves suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #27 Posted September 11, 2017 https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1000859230.html?eid=PS_GOOGLE_HD+|+PLAs_Shopping+|+Tools_Tools_pla-350049177738&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NjNBRDKARIsAFn3NMrcH9cYkKWwYLQN6a9gBE41cm15XxByJELLEfWijsZQOmwjPSyQq8UaAm7VEALw_wcB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted September 11, 2017 Share #28 Posted September 11, 2017 3 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said: No. We believe it is a bad battery. Nothing was running on the camper that uses DC. We turned on the light, when it got dark and it was dim. No juice. All of my electronics were on their own charge, or recharged with the truck. So, we unplugged the trailer tow light cord, in the event that something was wrong causing a drain. Getting stuck in the woods would be a call to AAA. The solar panels would be nice, but what about being gone from camp for long periods of time? Thieves suck. I've never had a problem with anyone messing with mine, but your mileage my vary. I've seen plenty of rigs where they have a panel or two flush-mounted on the roof--not as efficient as being able to move them around and change the angle for maximum exposure, but it does eliminate the threat of theft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share #29 Posted September 11, 2017 9 minutes ago, Wilbur said: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1000859230.html?eid=PS_GOOGLE_HD+|+PLAs_Shopping+|+Tools_Tools_pla-350049177738&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NjNBRDKARIsAFn3NMrcH9cYkKWwYLQN6a9gBE41cm15XxByJELLEfWijsZQOmwjPSyQq8UaAm7VEALw_wcB I may have to show this to my man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parodybot Posted September 11, 2017 Share #30 Posted September 11, 2017 http://www.homedepot.com/p/ParkPower-Contour-Battery-Master-Switch-701CHRV/300689809 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far ★ Posted September 11, 2017 Share #31 Posted September 11, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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