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09-28-2016, 02:29 PM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: FL
Posts: 12
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New 290QB : Battery Drain
I'm a new owner of '17 Sunset Trail 290QB and I'm looking for some idea on the battery drain issue while the trailer is stored. Radio is always on and friend of mine suggested to install a master battery switch to prevent the drain. I'm not sure about how to go about it. Has anyone done this? Is there a particular brand/model of the battery switch I should buy? How hard was the install? Will this addition in anyway affect the warranty?
Thanks!
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09-28-2016, 02:47 PM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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Not only the radio but the propane detector as well will help drain the battery in a matter of a week or so. A simple battery knife switch will work as a disconnect and are easy to install. I went down and bought a marine cutoff switch (20-25 $) and installed that on the wall by the battery. It will not affect your warranty.
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09-28-2016, 03:41 PM
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#3
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: California
Posts: 333
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Check in your battery compartment and make sure you don't already have a switch. We have a round knob that we turn a quarter turn to disconnect the batteries.
But yes, phantom draws will kill your batteries in a few short days. You can probably turn off your stereo if you hold down the Off button, but you can't turn off your smoke detector, LP detector, and CO detector. If you forget to turn off your fridge, water heater, or water pump any of those could cause a phantom draw too (not so much the water pump though).
If you install the switch yourself, make sure not to interrupt the power to your trailer brakes. Heaven forbid something goes wrong and your emergency cutaway switch needs to engage, it would be a disaster if there were no power to that brake switch.
__________________
Dave Edmiston
2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead toy hauler
2014 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 Diesel Dually
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09-28-2016, 05:27 PM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
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Most people just put the shutoff switch on the negative side, between the battery and the cable going to the frame. That way, EVERYTHING is turned off. If you're worried that somehow you'll try to drive it like that (with disabled brakes), put a red flag or cord and connect it to your 7-pin plug. When you (or somebody else) tries to plug the 7-pin into a tow vehicle, their attention should be brought to that switch.
__________________
Marty and Martha
2015 Z-1 211RD
2012 Nissan Titan
Dalzell SC
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09-28-2016, 06:27 PM
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#5
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Wi
Posts: 527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartyinSC
Most people just put the shutoff switch on the negative side, between the battery and the cable going to the frame. That way, EVERYTHING is turned off. If you're worried that somehow you'll try to drive it like that (with disabled brakes), put a red flag or cord and connect it to your 7-pin plug. When you (or somebody else) tries to plug the 7-pin into a tow vehicle, their attention should be brought to that switch.
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That is what I did to our SST 250RB. I got from Amazon,it is an easy install.
__________________
Scott & Julie
Northern Wisconsin
2021 Cruiser Air 27MK
2021 Ford F-250 XLT Premium
6.2L, 6 3/4 ft bed, FX4. Tow pkg.
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09-29-2016, 06:28 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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I installed a marine cutoff switch from Eastern Marine. It is a dual battery unit with 4 positions, all off, Batt 1, batt 2, batt 1 & 2.
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09-29-2016, 10:10 AM
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#7
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: FL
Posts: 12
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
I've ordered this switch, hopefully its sufficient.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I like the reminder cord from the switch to the plug as I'm bit forgetful.
Thanks everyone!
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09-29-2016, 09:15 PM
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#8
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 72
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If my trailer wasn't at the dealer getting the front cap painted, I'd add pictures.
I used a Perko marine switch. Simple on/off. Mounted mine on a crossmember at the front. I got a 2 foot long battery cable with eyes already crimped on both ends from my local auto parts store. That way I wouldn't have to have any cables made. I can't remember if I put the switch on the hot or ground cable. Installed it after the batteries were stone cold dead when I picked it up from the dealer last time. No electric jack when it's 103 out sucks.
__________________
2016 Sunset Trail Reserve ST30RK
2013 F-150 Lariat EcoBoost
Oliver, the Rottweiler
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09-30-2016, 09:46 AM
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#9
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMVillines
Installed it after the batteries were stone cold dead when I picked it up from the dealer last time. No electric jack when it's 103 out sucks.
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The jack should have worked as soon as you plug 7way into the truck..mine works off the truck with no battery in trailer.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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09-30-2016, 09:59 AM
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#10
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 72
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I wish it would have, tried that. Even plugged it in and sat in the truck for a bit and got nothing. If that's true, I may need to look at how it's wired. Learn something new everyday! Thank you
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2016 Sunset Trail Reserve ST30RK
2013 F-150 Lariat EcoBoost
Oliver, the Rottweiler
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09-30-2016, 12:14 PM
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#11
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Might have to double check to see if you have power coming out of the truck socket. that is the easiest check. there is a 30a fuse under the hood if you have nothing.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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09-30-2016, 12:35 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,715
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On my Ford, the fuse was in the glove box. Had to look under the hood for the correct fuse box that it fit into.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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