Truck Draining Camper Battery ?

Beer Belly · August 21, 2011

I've always towed my camper (Pop Up), with the fridge running on the 12 volt deep cycle battery....this past trip, when I arrived at the campground, the camper battery was dead.....it was charged enough to raise the top before we left (power lift sysytem)...and it had been on charge thru shore power for 2 days prior to pulling out of our driveway, and was totally dead when we hit the campground.....it recharged, and worked fine after 3 days of shore power charging at the campground....and was dead again when we got home....it was a 5 hour drive each way. My buddy has the exact camper, and has run on the 12 volt deep cycle battery while dry camping for 5 days without a recharge. The camper now sits outside, with the battery fully charged, with the fridge on the 12 volt position, and the porch light lit....for the past 4 hours. I had the battery tested at Auto Zone, and they say it's good.....the only thing I can think of is that the truck is somehow drawing down the battery while traveling, instead of charging it........any ideas ???....what should I check ???....where do I start ???....

markw8 · August 22, 2011

I can't say what is happening for you, but I have a truck camper with a 3 way Dometec frig. I never use the 12 volt setting. If yours is similar, it draws about 20 amps. 100 amp battery is toast in 5 hours.

If it's on propane the controls draw about 1/2 amp.

Mark

Beer Belly · August 22, 2011

Thank You Mark. What you are saying makes sense, but this is the first time I ever had an issue with it.....I'll check the draw tomorrow.

Beer Belly · August 22, 2011

I always thought that while I was towing, the truck was also providing 12 volts to the camper to keep the charge on the battery ???

Beer Belly · August 23, 2011

Just got this email from my buddy ( a Ford fan.....so, he has his faults)...."I think i have this figured out

Stud 1 needs a 40 amp fuse which was not installed at the factory but was in a plastic bag in the glove box at time of delivery also may need to hook up the battery charge wires which are under the brake booster or between the fuse block and the fender." What do ya think ???....does this sound right ???

markw8 · August 23, 2011

That seems to sound right.

Mark

Beer Belly · August 24, 2011

Just got this email from my buddy ( a Ford fan.....so, he has his faults)...."I think i have this figured out

Stud 1 needs a 40 amp fuse which was not installed at the factory but was in a plastic bag in the glove box at time of delivery also may need to hook up the battery charge wires which are under the brake booster or between the fuse block and the fender." What do ya think ???....does this sound right ???

Yup, that was the problem. Found the 40 amp fuse in the glovebox. Funny thing, I've owned the truck since new, and never saw the fuse in the glovebox.....neither did my buddy in his Ford

dwhitton · August 27, 2011

At least you got a fuse, I had to buy mine from the dealer ($5.00) and this truck came with the heavy duty towing package.

I had to call Tekonsha to connect the post wires (12V trailer feed and brake feed) to get my brake controller working (this guy knew exactly where the GM factory tapes and hides them) the dealer knew nothing about how to hook them up. Nice!!