I'm doing some prep investigation before replacing my bulged gels with a couple of Lifelines. With "everything" off my monitor still showed a point 8 amp draw. I disconnected each of the hardwired monitors (CO and propane) and noted that each drew .2 amps. Now, I'm down to point 4. So, what could it be? Ah! How about the dash radio? But doesn't it run off the automotive circuit? Turns out no. I pulled the faceplate from the little Sony and the draw dropped another .1 amp. So now I'm at .3 amps. I turned off the 12v master switch and dropped another .1, leaving me with .2. I'm guessing this is the inverter (off at unit and off at switch).
We're planning on putting in a good solar system and doing a lot of boondocking with this rig so I want to make sure I have a good handle on any electrical overhead. Anyone replace the hardwired CO and propane monitors with less power hungry models? Any ideas on that pesky point one amp? How about the suspected point two amp on the inverter (Heart 2500)?Thanks.
jor
A clamp on ammeter would help you pinpoint the drain.
Roland
Email Wyatt S as he has gone thru all that and removed the loads on his coach. If I am correct your inverter would be pulling a lot more than .2 amps even when not doing anything??
I am guessing you have the fridge off as it does not turn off completely when the main sw is off??
John H
John is right about inverter idling current; if you can find one that draws less than 0.5A and is pure-sine I wanna know!
Your monitor might be drawing that 0.1A, actually.
Craig
It may be the instant on TVs. Gam
I just wired in switches to turn them off
Keeping your monitors on and the .1 or .2 Amps for the memories on your radios ,TVs,vent fans ,and what ever ,may be worth the added 20 watts of solar power.Gam