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Topic: Parasitic Electrical Drain (Read 571 times) previous topic - next topic

Parasitic Electrical Drain

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

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #1 –
A clamp on ammeter would help you pinpoint the drain.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #2 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #3 –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #4 –
It may be the instant on TVs. Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #5 –
I just wired in switches to turn them off
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Parasitic Electrical Drain

Reply #6 –
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
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'