CO and LP detector battery drain. Solution?
Hi guys, I just found out that the detectors in an RV use about 35-40 amps a day. On a "typical" 120 Ah system, charged to the normal 90%, and discharged to the normal 50%, the detectors will drain...
Forum Discussion
I have heard that number thrown around before, luckily for me the parasitic draws are not that high on our trailer. Then again most of the time it is just the detector and fridge control board, we have no built in stereo and leave the hot water heater off unless in use.
The only year we used a generator to keep the battery up, we were using more than just the detector, etc. We had to replace the rest of the power we used too. We would use as much as 5 gal in two weeks with the daily 2 hr run, it could have been less with a small inverter generator.
Since we didn't enjoy using the trailer like a hard sided tent and hearing a generator run everyday sucked, we got solar and no longer worry about the little loads...or the big loads anymore. Some use lots of solar like we do, so get a small system to cover the basics like you are talking. They have folding 100w kits for around $200 or less and you'd never have to worry as long as the sun shined.
The only year we used a generator to keep the battery up, we were using more than just the detector, etc. We had to replace the rest of the power we used too. We would use as much as 5 gal in two weeks with the daily 2 hr run, it could have been less with a small inverter generator.
Since we didn't enjoy using the trailer like a hard sided tent and hearing a generator run everyday sucked, we got solar and no longer worry about the little loads...or the big loads anymore. Some use lots of solar like we do, so get a small system to cover the basics like you are talking. They have folding 100w kits for around $200 or less and you'd never have to worry as long as the sun shined.
