Forum Discussion

tim1970

Explorer

Apr 26, 2018

How long should battery hold charge

I had to park my 5th wheel at a neighbors house while I had some dirt work done at my house. It was parked at his house for 5 days without being hooked up to electric. When I went to get it, the battery was completely dead, and I had to hook up the cord to my truck before I could operate the power lift. I didn't utilize the battery disconnect, but there was nothing left on. All lights, water pump, refrig, water heater, etc was all off. Is this normal? This is just the standard 12v battery that came with my unit when I bought it.

13 Replies

KD4UPL
Explorer II
Apr 26, 2018
Did you also turn off the stereo, LP leak detector, CO alarm, and TV antenna amplifier? I'd have to assume one or more of those was one. 5 days is a little quick but not necessarily out of the question. How old is the battery? Have you checked the water level lately?
ScottG
Nomad
Apr 26, 2018
Was the propane detector and the radio still connected?
They will help drain the battery much fast than if it was disconnected.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 26, 2018
A cheap battery won’t last long with detectors, appliance boards and other loads on all the time. Turn off the switch as soon as power is disconnected. Now you took even more life out of the battery by discharging it completely.