battery drain in storage

L

Lozsing

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My sergeant unit is showing a 0.8amp draw when in storage would I benefit from switching it off when not in use . I have a solar panel but at this time of year 100w solar if not keeping up.PS I also have 2 110amp batteries
 
Yes switch everything off and make sure the drain stops ?
 
If you do not set the alarm you may invalidate the insurance.
 
This is the same issue that I have. I can monitor the battery remotely through the alarm/tracker app. It is kept in secure storage and for a fee they will connect to ehu. I had them connect it over a week ago for 24 hours. Battery now reads 12.4v.
I suppose a monthly ehu connection is the answer.
It wasn't a problem with 2 previous motorhomes as I never knew the battery levels as I didn't have this current system. Therefore "out of sight, out of mind".

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Lozsing said:
My sergeant unit is showing a 0.8amp draw when in storage would I benefit from switching it off when not in use . I have a solar panel but at this time of year 100w solar if not keeping up.PS I also have 2 110amp batteries
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First off, have you calibrated the read out ?
Sargent units allow you to do it and once done remains fairly accurate for some time
Depending on the age and type of set up your system may have an EM50 unit.
If it has then a .2 to .3 amp draw is normal, and turning everything off will not stop it
Sadly there is not a real solution other than either fitting an isolation switch or disconnecting the batteries ( or indeed giving it a regular charge for a couple of hours

Even in dull conditions a 110w solar panel should easily keep up with a .8 A draw.
What sort of regulator do you have fitted ?
 
What I don't like about small current drains is combined with solar it's shallow cycling the battery. Best to disconnect it if you can't stop the current drain. IMO
 
Jaws said:
Even in dull conditions a 110w solar panel should easily keep up with a .8 A draw.
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.8 amps over 24 hours is 0.8 x 24 = 19 amp-hours. I don't think you'll get anywhere near 19 amp-hours from a 110 watt solar panel in one day in winter, particularly as it's horizontal and not angled to the sun. Ehu for 24 hours every month at least is a good option.

If that .8 amps is accurate then it will need EHU every week. As Jaws says, it may not be accurate and the panel might need calibrating.

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autorouter said:
.8 amps over 24 hours is 0.8 x 24 = 19 amp-hours. I don't think you'll get anywhere near 19 amp-hours from a 110 watt solar panel in one day in winter, particularly as it's horizontal and not angled to the sun.
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Actually very true. I did not do the math before using the keyboard.. my bad !
 
autorouter said:
.8 amps over 24 hours is 0.8 x 24 = 19 amp-hours. I don't think you'll get anywhere near 19 amp-hours from a 110 watt solar panel in one day in winter, particularly as it's horizontal and not angled to the sun. Ehu for 24 hours every month at least is a good option.

If that .8 amps is accurate then it will need EHU every week. As Jaws says, it may not be accurate and the panel might need calibrating.
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Can you tell me how you recalibrate a Sargent panel please?
 
Lozsing said:
Swift bessacarr 462 2014
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Ok.. In that case I do not think you have an EM50 sub unit fitted
Can you post a picture of your control panel ?
There are at least 3 types used
 
Jo662 said:
Can you tell me how you recalibrate a Sargent panel please?
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Depends on what panel you have.. For most, select amps on the panel and press and hold the middle right button ( often has an arrow on it pointing left )
After a short while it will recalibrate

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I have the Sargent EC450 like this one. Which buttons do you mean?
download.jpg
 
Jaws said:
Any update at all Lozsing ?
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my panel is the one like in the picture above from jo662 , I have plugged it in to mains for 48 hours then I will switch sergeant off and see how it goes , I can't leave on hook up all time as its not practical where it is parked up.

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In winter I take mine for a run every month rather than leave it standing, better for the tyres etc. I don't know of any drain on ours but have not had a problem (I'll check the state of the battery tomorrow as I was planning on taking it out anyway).
 
It's no good leaving any vehicle standing all winter.
Take it out for a good run of at least 30 miles every couple of weeks minimum to heat the engine up properly polish up the brakes and anything else mechanical.
Otherwise not only the batteries suffer but anything that moves will start to corrode or seize up.
All vehicles are designed to move, not stand idle.
 
I think you should try to find out what is causing the current draw, 0.8A = 9.6W which seems a lot more than an alarm would pull.
I checked my battery today after a month in storage and it was reading 13.6V (sunny day but 18th December) with a 100W solar panel, so it should be able to keep the battery topped up.
 
Norman Jones said:
It's no good leaving any vehicle standing all winter.
Take it out for a good run of at least 30 miles every couple of weeks minimum to heat the engine up properly polish up the brakes and anything else mechanical.
Otherwise not only the batteries suffer but anything that moves will start to corrode or seize up.
All vehicles are designed to move, not stand idle.
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Well said Norman. ?? What is the foreign language the others are talking about? Amps, volts, recalibrating!!! ?? Just use it. ?
 
autorouter said:
.8 amps over 24 hours is 0.8 x 24 = 19 amp-hours. I don't think you'll get anywhere near 19 amp-hours from a 110 watt solar panel in one day in winter, particularly as it's horizontal and not angled to the sun. Ehu for 24 hours every month at least is a good option.
Click to expand...
Might as well not bother.
If the solar gave 4amp, which is doubtful in winter, that still means 15amp drain per day.
After a month (30 days) that's 450amps gone.... Or in this case, 4 times the battery capacity.. That battery is a plastic box and no longer a battery.
It will need a miracle, not a 24hr charge

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I too have the Sargent system and my solar panel manages to keep my cab battery maintained during the winter. I'm not convinced you would benefit from switching your system off unless you disconnect the negative lead on your battery/batteries if over discharging is your issue. You did not say you had an issue other than the 0.8 Amp draw which may be normal for your set up. Mine is 0.6 Amp. No need to drive 30 miles every 2 weeks, 20 miles once a month will suffice during the winter. I have been doing just that for many years and not had any engine or chassis problems as a result. However, if you want to do something different, who am I to judge you. Go for it.
 
I dont know whether its relevant to you, but an inverter will draw power even if switched off. I have fitted a battery isolation key switch to mine and turn it off in storage. Not a big drain, less than 0.5A but it all adds up in winter.
 
Reallyretired said:
I dont know whether its relevant to you, but an inverter will draw power even if switched off. I have fitted a battery isolation key switch to mine and turn it off in storage. Not a big drain, less than 0.5A but it all adds up in winter.
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I didn't know that ! How does that work then if its switched off!
 
pappajohn said:
The same way your TV does..... Stand-by current.
Switching it off only turns off the 230v circuit, the 12v circuit is always on.
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Thanks for that! Sometimes In cant see the wood for the trees! That would explain why my control panel is showing 0.8 Amp draw! Simples. I would just pull the inverter fuse if it ever became an issue.

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