What is normal parasitic DC amp draw?
My new 5th wheel is drawing 1.5 amps with all the lights, appliances, and switches off and AC main breaker off. Is this normal?
Forum Discussion
kyle86 wrote:
Wow thanks for the tips!! I have a dc cut off switch on the rear fuese box next to the main breaker. When cut off, the amps go to 0.01 draw. I just found it interesting/concerning that it was drawing so much with everything off.
When boondocking, how low do you let the batterys get before recharging? Or is a daily charging routine what people do? Sorry for the newb questions, first camper :)
Smart People ask questions!
Normally 50% capacity is the maximum recommended discharge. But this has permutations by the dozen. If you are on a three week boondocking trip and it takes maybe 10 days to discharge to 50% then time has to be factored in.
This is similar to radiation dosages. Take 10-years of total gamma exposure (sunlight) and compress it into 1-minute and you will become a walking cadaver. So time as well as intensity has to be realized.
A discharge to 50% then recharge every 3rd day would be fine.
For months-long boondocking, proper care is totally different. BFL13 has extensive records and tips regarding this.
The object is to waste minimum time on battery care when camping
Minimize generator run time in remote or sensitive camping spots.
And ask as many questions as you like. There is no hard & fast routine to charge batteries. Some folks who camp where there is sun prefer solar panels.
