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Picinisco's avatar
Picinisco
Explorer
Sep 02, 2019

battery disconnect in storage

The last time I put my trailer in storage it was for 3 months. When I went to take it out two weeks ago, the battery was totally dead. Once I charged it back up and used the trailer for a week trip, I disconnected the battery so that whatever was trickling would not discharge it in the event I do not get to use it soon. However there is a safety monitor still pinging which I believe is the Safe-T-Alert propane and CO2 warning. What is powering this, remember battery is disconnected.

19 Replies

  • Picinisco wrote:
    The last time I put my trailer in storage it was for 3 months. When I went to take it out two weeks ago, the battery was totally dead. Once I charged it back up and used the trailer for a week trip, I disconnected the battery so that whatever was trickling would not discharge it in the event I do not get to use it soon. However there is a safety monitor still pinging which I believe is the Safe-T-Alert propane and CO2 warning. What is powering this, remember battery is disconnected.
    Sounds like you didn't completely disconnect it. It won't ping without power. Find where it's connected and you'll find your drain.
  • MFL wrote:
    Did you actually disconnect a battery cable, or just use the OEM disconnect switch, which does not kill all?

    Jerry


    Tha actual cable.
  • Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Maintainer-Controller/dp/B004Q83TGO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=CjwKCAjw-7LrBRB6EiwAhh1yXwzbYI4-YURdkd49nadP9WJsvMl64mpYQT4m-HudKv88oBipvc-r0hoCDfwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241893072888&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9033806&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5281702074885686856&hvtargid=kwd-13616374167&hydadcr=24634_10399775&keywords=solar+battery+minder&qid=1567447116&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNEc3MzVITjRORkFMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzIyMDQ0M1YzRUlUSFFNNjYxNCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjYwNTQwMlJOOE1GNzFRVDRHMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
  • Lead acid batteries "self discharge" when stored. I would recommend a good battery maintainer. They are available in 120v or solar versions.

    They won't charge a dead battery nor will they boil your batteries. They will overcome the self discharge. Some claim to desulfate your batteries as well. I can't speak to that.
  • We are hearing more and more of this. Manufacturers, in all their wisdom, are wiring "disconnect" switches that don't totally disconnect.
  • Battery was probably completely depleted in two weeks. That ruined it. Get a new battery. Much easier and better for the battery to have a solar charger/maintainer.
  • Could be a few things.

    • If you used a factory installed disconnect switch they don't always disconnect all power
    • There could be a capacitor (think small rechargeable battery) that acts as a safety alarm if the power goes out
    • The safety alarm has a low 9 volt battery and is beeping every few seconds to alert you.


    And yes, always disconnect the batteries in storage as the various alarms and other phantom loads can kill the battery in a week.
  • Did you actually disconnect a battery cable, or just use the OEM disconnect switch, which does not kill all?

    Jerry