batteries

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   I believe if the breakaway switch is pulled, after a short time it will overheat and melt. I've seen it happen once. Maybe not all breakaways do that, but some do. The furnace will take a lot of battery power, I find that in 30 ish degree weather, you'lll get about 2 - 2 1/2 days. 

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mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214	Post Options Post Reply Quote mjlrpod Report Post Quote Reply Topic: batteries Posted: 09 Jan 2022 at 9:56am
	I believe if the breakaway switch is pulled, after a short time it will overheat and melt. I've seen it happen once. Maybe not all breakaways do that, but some do. The furnace will take a lot of battery power, I find that in 30 ish degree weather, you'lll get about 2 - 2 1/2 days.
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offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Post Options Post Reply Quote offgrid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 2022 at 2:05am
	Yes, first check the breakaway switch. How much of the time us the furnace running? IIRC the furnace fan consumes 6-7 amps. So if that was running at a very high duty cycle, that could account for your battery discharge. Excluding those two possible loads there is nothing that jumps out that would explain that discharge. To investigate further, buy a multimeter with DC current measuring capability. They are very inexpensive now, and very useful to keep in your traveling toolkit. Just make sure the meter specifically measures DC current and not just AC current. Clamp it on one of the battery cables and see what current you are drawing for your various loads. While waiting for your meter disconnect your battery so you don't destroy it, unless you are watching it on a continuous basis.
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jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227	Post Options Post Reply Quote jato Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2022 at 7:32pm
	+1 I bet it would take the battery below 12v if pulled for a 24 hour period.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2022 at 7:16pm
	Also check to make sure the breakaway switch is in place and not pulled. That would be quite a load on those batteries.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227	Post Options Post Reply Quote jato Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2022 at 4:55pm
	You are correct, that is excessive usage. Hopefully you have a voltmeter or multi-tester to check battery voltage. First, make certain the electrolyte levels in the cells are full. If low add distilled water until you get to the full mark. Second, check voltage, each battery when fully charged at rest should read 12.72v or slightly higher. If not run a trickle charge on each low battery, 2 amps is a good way to go - let it run for 24-36 hours to slowly charge battery. After that let is set for 3-4 hours before checking voltage-again after charging it should read 100% or 12.72 volts. Let it set for a day and check again, it should read about the same, if it is a lot less than it is a good indicator the battery has been hurt in the past and won't hold a charge. I just replaced one of my 12v group size 24 Interstate deep cycle batteries last October; it was 3 months shy of turning 11 years old. Maintenance is key to longevity and also not to run it below 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v before recharging. My other 12v will turn 11 years old April 2022. They will last with proper maintenance. This is in northern Michigan. When boondocking in colder weather (40's at night with the furnace running a lot) we expect 3 days before switching batteries. As you do we also run fridge, furnace, hot water all on propane.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Hunter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2021 Location: Black Mtn. NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hunter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2022 at 4:07pm
	I have another question about battery usage. I have a 21 rpod 196. I have two universal 12 volt 100amp batteries on board and for some reason overnight they go down to 50-60% and I have to charge each day. I am using the frig, the heater, and hot water all on gas. I know the water pump is going to drain the batteries some but this seems to be excessive. I have a friend that has only one of the 100amp batteries on his older 2019 rpod and he seems to be able to go for 3-4 days before charging using the same things. The inverter is turned off. We rarely use the fan in the bathroom. The hot water heater's electrical switch is turned off in the heater bay. Any suggestions or just validation that his should not be happening ? Thanks Hunter