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Tibof View Drop Down
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery Drain
    Posted: 07 Jun 2020 at 7:22pm
Batteries seem to test good.  But quickly go down.  I know that could mean a large variety of issues, but I would like to hear any ideas out there.  Perhaps there's something I have not addressed.  Batteries run through an on/off switch that I'll hafta tear apart.  Otherwise I can't think of anything.  So if you have an idea, throw it my way and I'll say thanks in advance.
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2020 at 7:27pm
Are they D size, C size, or double AA? 

Flashlight or radio?

You know they just dont make em like they used to.
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2020 at 8:46pm
Thanks for your thoughtful help.  Good of you to take the time.
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3325 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2020 at 8:47pm
I currently have a pair of 12v Interstate deep cycle group size 24 batteries that are 9+ years old and still going strong.  Maintenance is key.  I need more info like: do you regularly check and keep the battery acid levels full, do you use distilled water when filling, do you keep your battery clean, have you ever run the battery to levels that will harm the ability of it to recharge?  I will take mine down to 12.32 volts before changing out to the other, if you take it down to flat zero, you have essentially destroyed the ability of the battery to take a charge.  Any other info you can offer would be helpful.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 5:58am
Podwerk's facetious point was I think that you didn't give us a whole lot of information so we could help you.

When you say the batteries test good I assume you mean that when charged their voltage is OK? That means very little, the true test of a battery is of course how much capacity it holds. 

What would help us help you is if we could know a few things like

what batteries you have (type and capacity rating)
how old are they
how have they been treated (overcharged, undercharged, storage procedure, plates allowed to be exposed, etc)
what was the voltage when they tested good (to check that charge them then disconnect them completely for about and hour, then measure the voltage)
when they went down quickly, what were you running with them and for how long.
What voltage were they at after running down.

Happy to help, just need a bit more to go on. 
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 6:20am
Chuckled when I read the response, but... What are they (as OG asks) and how do you test.

I am a believer in voltage testing, but again, it's in the how it's done.

Get them on the charger and charge 'em up. Let them rest 24hrs (6-12hrs will give you idea) of if something is wrong. That rest period is important. You should have about 12.7v at hat point 

If you seeing an issue you can test cell by cell and confirm just how bad (like one is much worst than all others).

Much of this still depends on how you have treated (maintained your batteries).

Give it a run and let us know.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 8:29am
An inexpensive battery hydrometer is a useful way to check your batteries.  Test each cell with the hydrometer.  All should test about the same.  If one is an oddball, you probably have a problem with your battery.  

I agree with OG and Olddawgs's comments too.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1221 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 10:15am
I don't know if your saying the battery doesn't hold a charge, or it is being drained by something? I am going to offer 1 thing I can think of, if your problem is something is draining the battery. Near the t.v. is a small push button, it's an antennae booster switch. If that is left on, it will drain a lot of power. If the lite is lit, it's on. Hope that helps. 
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Tibof View Drop Down
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 10:25am
When I said batteries seemed to test good, I meant they have passed voltage, continuity and load.  I was attempting to move on from there. They are Interstate 27,  4 years old and well maintained.  Stored inside each winter on a battery minder.  I will now proceed to test all other possibilities.  I was hoping it might be something obvious that others have experienced.  Everyone's input is appreciated.  
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 10:45am
If you have or are able to eliminate the possibility of stray trailer loads then there is a capacity problem. 4 or 5 years is a pretty typical lifetime for lead acid batteries, they might be done. When you say they passed a load test what were they loaded with? The short duration load testers they use for SLI (starter, lights, ignition) auto batteries aren't meant to check capacity on deep cycle batts. 

I'd suggest disconnecting them from any load in the trailer, charging them well, then put them on a known load for a known length of time. Group 27's should be good for 80-100 amphours, but try not to ever take them down that low. Take em down to 50% or so and use Olddawgsrule's chart. 

If you don't have one already I'd also suggest you get a multimeter with dc current capability, aka a hall effect clamp on probe. They are pretty cheap nowadays and are great for sorting stuff like this out. 
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