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04-22-2014, 08:04 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
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Battery drain
2007 itaska engine battery drain, if i take off the battery cable i get a spark . The only thing i can think of is the alternator. It is a 8.1 gas . Any other ideas??
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04-22-2014, 09:29 AM
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#2
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
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Probably not the alternator. It doesn't take much current to make a spark. You may not have excessive battery drain. Has the battery ever gone dead? You can use a multimeter to measure it. Most multimeters will measure up to 10 amps of DC current.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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04-22-2014, 09:59 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PattyH
2007 itaska engine battery drain, if i take off the battery cable i get a spark . The only thing i can think of is the alternator. It is a 8.1 gas . Any other ideas??
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PattyH
Do you have a solar panel/charger connected to your engine/chassis battery?
Like you, I get a spark when I disconnect my chassis battery cable, (but only if/when the solar panel/charger for the chassis battery is producing electricity).
On my coach, that spark is caused by the voltage going "into" the battery, (NOT because something is "draining" the battery).
Mel
'96 Safari
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04-22-2014, 10:53 AM
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#4
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Palisade CO
Posts: 895
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It is normal to have about a 0.150 amp parasitic drain on the engine battery. Mine will discharge to 11 volts or so in about three weeks. I use a BatteryMinder Plus float charger to maintain the battery when the engine isn't going to be started for a while. Like when we are parked for the winter in AZ.
__________________
Clay WA5NMR - Ex Snowbird - 1 year, Ex Full timer for 11 years - 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N Workhorse chassis. Honda Accord toad.
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04-22-2014, 11:24 AM
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#5
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
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The battery goes dead. It is about a 10 amp draw
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04-22-2014, 11:43 AM
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#6
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4
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Leave your meter hooked up showing the approx. 10 amp draw. Make sure your doors are closed , interior lights off, radio off etc. Pull one fuse at a time until your 10 amp load dissapears. That one will be the culprit. I believe 5 mah is normal in most cases. Hope this helps.
__________________
Rudy & Jenny
2014 Thor Four Winds 35SK, Super C
CRV, F-150 and Wrangler Toads
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04-22-2014, 11:43 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clay L
It is normal to have about a 0.150 amp parasitic drain on the engine battery. Mine will discharge to 11 volts or so in about three weeks. I use a BatteryMinder Plus float charger to maintain the battery when the engine isn't going to be started for a while. Like when we are parked for the winter in AZ.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PattyH
The battery goes dead. It is about a 10 amp draw
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Clay L
A slight parasitic drain is common because the electronics of the engine/transmission, (and the radio memory), are kept alive by RVs batteries.
My coach has a 5 watt solar panel/charger which prevents the chassis battery from discharging, (maintains the charge of my chassis battery battery).
PattyH
IMO a constant 10 amp total draw, from either battery bank, is unusual, (and unnecessary).
That draw, (or combination of draws), should be located and eliminated.
Mel
'96 Safari
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04-22-2014, 12:00 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
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Thanks will try it this evening
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04-22-2014, 12:10 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PattyH
Thanks will try it this evening
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Patty
Good luck.
It took me years to identify and eliminate all of my unnecessary battery draws, (but it can be done).
Mel
'96 Safari, (mine since '01)
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04-22-2014, 12:29 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pasadena, Md.
Posts: 11
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I added a battery saver on my coach, It disconnects the battery automatically when there is a drain and the battery would go below the starting voltage.
similar to this......
Battery Brain Type I Bronze - $68.79
__________________
CC..... Happy Rving!!
2013 Newmar - Canyon Star 3940
2012 Honda CR-V toad
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04-23-2014, 07:55 AM
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#11
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
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Found it. The step has a amp draw of 2.4 amps when extended . When it is in the draw is 0.00
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04-23-2014, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 86
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Interesting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PattyH
Found it. The step has a amp draw of 2.4 amps when extended . When it is in the draw is 0.00
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Hi Patty, when your steps are extended, the motor is hit its limit switch and shut off, there should not be a draw on it....... just like when it goes in and hits its limit and shuts off......should be 0 draw........I would think
Is there a light on under the steps when it is out? If so, can you turn it off?
__________________
2000 Newmar MADP 4060, 350ISC, Spartan MM, IFS 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006Ultra & 1989 Springer
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04-23-2014, 01:27 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PattyH
Found it. The step has a amp draw of 2.4 amps when extended . When it is in the draw is 0.00
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PattyH
I'm glad to hear that you found it.
BTW, on my coach that 2.4 amp battery draw drops to 0.00 if/when the step switch is turned OFF, (even if/when my step is extended).
That is one of the many small parasitic battery draws that is easily eliminated, (the TV antenna amp is another).
Mel
'96 Safari
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04-23-2014, 01:45 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
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....many coaches have separately fused circuits that dont go through the main fuse box[es] [eg steps, seats, fridge, etc.] So there is potential for many parasitic draws-----good hunting.
__________________
Old Scout
2003 40' MDTS
Garden Ridge, Texas
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