We just purchased a Montana 2004. Currently someone is staying in it. My entire electrical is off-grid. I have the 5th Wheel plugged into my inverter. I have discovered that it is using about 160 watts of power continuously, even when everything is turned off. Also the refrigerator is set to just use the propane. I found the converter and unplugged it. Anyone have a guess where it is using the power?

I would say hot water but that'd be a lot more than 160. So, the 160 watts.. that's what the inverter is providing?

Our radio was using over 100 watts turned off and by unplugging it most of my stray power went away. Try turning off one breaker at a time until your find the source.

Eduardo333 wrote:I have the 5th Wheel plugged into my inverter. I have discovered that it is using about 160 watts of power continuously, even when everything is turned off. Also the refrigerator is set to just use the propane.Never is "everything is turned off" as there are several sources of parasitic draw, including the radio memory circuit, antenna wall plate if it's left on, propane detector which is hard wired to run 24/7, and of course you do realize the fridge even though it's running on gas does require 12 vdc to operate? Your fridge also probably has a climate control heating element - have you turned it off? The inverter itself also contributes to draw down on the battery, even at idle ... and how you you know it's "using about 160 watts of power continuously"?

Do you have a microwave, refrigerator, television, sound system, satellite system, radio, clock, propane detector, etc? All these use some power even when turned off unless you actually unplug them.

BB_TX wrote:Do you have a microwave, refrigerator, television, sound system, satellite system, radio, clock, propane detector, etc? All these use some power even when turned off unless you actually unplug them.Yes, for those things 12V DC battery power is discharging, and the fridge when running on gas too. And how are you going to recharge the 5er's battery with the converter disconnected?

Unknown power use by my fifth wheel. | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
My Trace 4024 is four watts.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 04, 2017
I don't have a tv or dvd, so yes--they are unplugged.

Mel B. wrote:
Mine is on all the time also, Haven't even tried to unhook it. Are your tv's and dvd players unplugged?
Mel
Mel_B_
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
Mine is on all the time also, Haven't even tried to unhook it. Are your tv's and dvd players unplugged?
Mel
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 04, 2017
Hi Mel B.

Propane detector is hardwired in my RV. No way to turn it off without using the battery disconnect switch.
Mel_B_
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
I have a 2004 2955RL Montana with everything off, and everything unplugged Fridge off, I have a .09a draw
MrWizard
Moderator
May 31, 2017
yes thats a possibilty
another thing that has NOT been discussed
the OP is off grid stick house
his inverter very possibly has load sense,
just plugging in turns on his inverter
IF all his house loads are off and just the FW is plugged in, this could be basic inverter load

he needs to turn on some house loads, then switch the FW main back on
and see if the power increase is exactly 160w, or maybe something else

i have the impression he turned off everything in the house that uses the inverter and is measuring that 160w

we have no idea what the inverter idle load is, or minimum turned on inverting load is..the FW might not be using 160w, but once the inverter turns on an engages the transfer switch etc.. the minimum inverter load registered is 160w

we are not there, and he is NOT electrically inclined
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 31, 2017
I troubleshoot systems.

The first thing I suspect with this kind of complaint, is the metering and instrumentation themselves. I have to substantiate and verify what I see on other people's meters and gauges by substituting my own measurement instruments. If they agree the problem is legitimate.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 31, 2017
Romex
Plastic covered wiring cable for AC voltage circuits, used in all housing including RV, is what connects all the outlets and 120v appliances

I did not think about the possibly of an " auto transformer"
A device for dealing with locations that have low voltage (110 or less instead of 120)
It gets placed between the shore cord input and the breaker panel
time2roll
Nomad
May 31, 2017
Romex is a brand name for the wire that connects the main breaker to the cord inlet. Also connects the branch circuits. You may actually have a different brand.

It is actually NM-B wire for non-metallic sheathed wire.
Eduardo333
Explorer
May 31, 2017
Ok, but what do you mean by Romex?