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Old 06-11-2019, 09:57 AM   #1
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Basic DC System Question

Basic new owner question here. When the DC system is off and the van is parked, is there anything that would create a draw on the house battery? I drive the van for a short time Sunday, parked it that day, and Tuesday morning the house voltage was 12.1. Looking for reasons it might be low, or something I'm doing wrong. When I've owned boats, the house batteries would go for months without issue. Thanks

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Old 06-11-2019, 10:02 AM   #2
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CO detector is a usual suspect......they are sometimes hard wired to be on all the time for safety.....but they draw a mouse-fart's worth of current..way less than an amp.


Is it possible that your house battery is just old? Since one test is worth a thousand expert opinions ........use a multimeter in current mode to check the draw on the battery when parked.


If you need clarification on how to do this just ask........
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Old 06-11-2019, 12:08 PM   #3
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Old 06-11-2019, 12:16 PM   #4
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Thanks, what's the best way to do this? Appreciate the help.
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Old 06-11-2019, 12:40 PM   #5
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Sprinter, correct? Suggest you look through this thread also:

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...n-23581-2.html
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Old 06-11-2019, 02:29 PM   #6
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Thanks Fitz. My issue, which might just be an anomaly, is with the house battery. No problems for the first 3 weeks of ownership. The last day or so, though, it was down to marginal levels (12.1) despite all power off (presumably no draw except smoke alarm)?
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Old 06-11-2019, 02:43 PM   #7
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Did you switch off the breakers to the house batteries when you parked? I do this on all my vans because there is always something small that drains the house battery. I'm not an expert nor am I saying you don't have a bigger concern, but if youre just trying to stop the drain, try that.
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Old 06-11-2019, 03:16 PM   #8
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When was the last time you fully charged the battery?

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Old 06-11-2019, 08:03 PM   #9
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I also have a nominal draw on the house bank if I’m not hooked up to 110 power when parked for long periods. Usually I’ll lose 10-15 amps/day. With the house bank being 600Ah though I’ve never been concerned or researched it. I just assume small draw from meters, etc. And it isn’t something I do much. If I know I’ll be away from the van for more than 7 days I have it hooked up to shore power.
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Old 06-12-2019, 07:42 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barrel47 View Post
Thanks, what's the best way to do this? Appreciate the help.

With a multimeter set to 10A (10 amps) current mode (and meter leads moved to current mode position on the meter).......


....disconnect either the positive or negative battery cable from the house battery and complete the circuit by placing the meter inline between the battery terminal and the cable, so one lead on the battery cable and the other on the battery terminal. When the meter is set to current mode it's just like a piece of wire...it's lets the current flow and gives you a reading



Note the current reading....if the reading is less than an amp you can switch the meter to ma (milli-amp range) for a little more accuracy, although likely not required.
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