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Battery Drain

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JR View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery Drain
    Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 8:03am
Thank you for posting the conclusion which might help someone else in the future.  It shows that the problems might lie in the minutiae. Now start enjoying the trailer and solar panels.
Jay

179/2019
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janderaz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote janderaz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 7:56am
Just wanted to post an up date in case anyone else has this problem in the future. So I believe my problem is resolved. Turns out the battery type selected on the solar control panel was incorrect. It was set to battery type AGM. My battery type is WET. Once I changed the battery type on the solar control panel to WET everything started to work correctly. The solar panel is now charging the battery during the day and turns off once there is no sun hitting it. In the morning when I check it, it is no longer beeping the warning that the battery is low/dead and reads 12.7 volts.  Then when the sun comes out it turns on and starts charging again. I think the solar panel ran all night and was draining the battery trying to charge the wrong battery type. 
Thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions. 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 9:25pm
Also, don't think of the lights as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full. There are two sets of figures on the battery/tank level gauge. Look at the boxed lines that surround the text and the lights. One set is for the tank levels (Empty, 1/3, 2/3, and Full). The other set of markings is for the battery. I'm not home to look at them. The lowest light is for low battery. The middle one is partially charged. The third one is marked g for good. The top one is marked C for Charging. They are a general indicator. A voltmeter is better. A specific gravity refractometer is best, but a bit of overkill. You can remove the caps and using voltmeter probes, measure between cells (carefully, so you don't get acid on you). It will tell if you have a weak cell. You can also check the levels and add DISTILLED water as needed to ensure the electrolyte level is above the plates.

Jato's advice is definitely sound. 

StephenH
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jato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 7:44pm
OK, try this, take the charger off the battery and take the ground (-) cable off so there are no phantom draws on it overnight.  Take a reading right now and then again an hour later; the reading should be fairly close to one another.  Wait until morning before you take it in to the dealership and take another reading.  The morning reading should be within 0.10v of the reading you got the night before, if i varies by more than that the battery needs to be replaced.  And by doing it this way you have some evidence for the dealership that you have done your due diligence as far as checking the health of the battery.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote janderaz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 7:06pm
Yes I’m getting a 13.6 volt reading. I think the dealership sent me home with a low charged battery and the solar trickle charge could not charge it up enough to keep a steady, full charge on the battery.  Just guessing, I’m new at this lol. Will test the battery but still calling the dealer to hopefully address the issue. I have only had the trailer for 1 week and have already learned so much,

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jato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 6:56pm
If battery is not charging above 75% it has been hurt, most likely by having it drawn down way below 12v and then sitting with a low charge for a period of time.  Again, please get a reading using a voltmeter or multi tester to get actual voltage of the battery at rest.  When you are charging from your 30 amp outlet you should be reading at least 13.5 volts or better while the battery is directly hooked up to shore power.

At this point it would appear that the business you purchased your battery from actually gave you a lemon and put it inside some battery clothes.
God's pod
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Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Post Options Post Options   Quote janderaz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 6:43pm
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and feedback. The trailer is just parked in my driveway waiting for it’s maiden voyage. Nothing is running or tuned on, it’s just being stormed in driveway. I have be charging it from a 30amp outlet all weekend at my house and the battery never charges above 3/4 full. If I disconnect from the power outlet the battery drains to zero and the solar panel is beeping to indicate low battery.  Solar panel shows it’s connected and charging. I’m thinking the battery is the issue at this point. I’ve checked and can’t see that anything is on or running other than safety devices or digital displays.  Going to call the dealer in the morning to trouble shoot it. Cry
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rpod-Couple Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 6:26pm
Hi Janderaz,

Check if your trailer’s emergency cable has been pulled out or not fully inserted. That will run the battery down. You need this cable plugged into the trailer even when you are not hitched up.

I learned this the hard way and killed my battery.
Steve & Elaine
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 3:14pm
Hi janderaz. Congratulations on the new Rpod. Hope you make some great memories during your travels. The only advice I can give is to work from one end of the system to the other starting with the battery. I know you said it was a new Rpod, but I would start with the battery. Start by making sure all of your cells are flooded. If possible disconnect everything from the battery and charge it. Like jato said, a multimeter/voltmeter is really helpful here. Once you are satisfied with the battery condition, reinstall and begin diagnosing through the RV. Make sure everything is turned off especially the 12volt fridge. 

My guess is either your battery is defective (the Interstate we got from the dealer on our new 179 only lasted 8 months) or you have something turned on that is drawing your battery down. The only thing I know of that would do that so quickly is the fridge.

Good luck.
Gpokluda
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Post Options Post Options   Quote RoverPod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2022 at 6:42am
What are you running on battery power in your camper? Perhaps you are using more than the battery has capacity for.
2017 F150 XLT SuperCab
2020 rPod 180
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