12v supply question

[Buckman]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

 

[Hutch]

You don't mention which type of caravan you have, on our Coachman 560 2013. With our master switch off and the master switched off, the fridge, radio and the aerial amplifier all have 12 volt power. So I have installed an isolator onto the battery to disconnect all power. Two turns and all power removed, it will take the power required for the motor mover.

 

[otherclive]

You don't mention which type of caravan you have, on our Coachman 560 2013. With our master switch off and the master switched off, the fridge, radio and the aerial amplifier all have 12 volt power. So I have installed an isolator onto the battery to disconnect all power. Two turns and all power removed, it will take the power required for the motor mover.

I fail to understand why makers cannot design a sytem that can be isolated when all of the supply switches are off. I can understand that a integrated alarm could require power but this could be a separate circuit supplied by a dedicated battery with solar charging.

Whenever I turn off my various switches a still check the radio as it seems to have a mind of its own at times. Even with everything switched off the electric flush will still flush. Bizarre.

So now the van sits in storage I’ve taken to bringing the battery and Calorlite home as an anti theft measure. I hitch the battery to the CTEK charger for periodic top ups.

 

[Woodentop]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

First suggestion - the TV aerial amp?
Not quite sure what you mean by the alarm and Tracker being on independent circuits - they will still draw current from the battery.

 

[otherclive]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

First suggestion - the TV aerial amp?
Not quite sure what you mean by the alarm and Tracker being on independent circuits - they will still draw current from the battery.

I did say from a separate battery which would be much smaller than the caravans normal battery.

 

[Woodentop]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

First suggestion - the TV aerial amp?
Not quite sure what you mean by the alarm and Tracker being on independent circuits - they will still draw current from the battery.

I did say from a separate battery which would be much smaller than the caravans normal battery.

Beg to differ. As I quoted "independent circuits" which says nothing about any additional battery. Anyway that battery (usually a 12V 7Ah) will only support a Tracker/alarm unit for a couple of weeks or even a month if the battery is in good state, but it draws current from the main battery as it has to be kept charged from somewhere.

 

[ProfJohnL]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

First suggestion - the TV aerial amp?
Not quite sure what you mean by the alarm and Tracker being on independent circuits - they will still draw current from the battery.

I did say from a separate battery which would be much smaller than the caravans normal battery.

Beg to differ. As I quoted "independent circuits" which says nothing about any additional battery. Anyway that battery (usually a 12V 7Ah) will only support a Tracker/alarm unit for a couple of weeks or even a month if the battery is in good state, but it draws current from the main battery as it has to be kept charged from somewhere.

This all depends on the switching arrangements, so it would be possible to arrange for a separate battery and circuits so the main battery can be fully isolated.

This was discussed in another recent thread where the OP wanted the radio to retain its memory.

But for long term storage I'm not sure it would have any great advantage as the problem with the main battery discharging is simply transferred to the second battery, which being smaller would last much less than the full sized battery.

 

[otherclive]

If we leave our 12v switch on while the caravan is in storage there is quite a drain on the battery and it is not the alarm or tracker as they are on independent circuits.
The caravan has ALDE heating so the control panel would be operational however if not being used not sure how much it would consumer. I am not sure what else could cause a drain. If it was not for the solar panel within 2- 3 days the battery would drop to under 12v.
Any suggestions what else could drain the battery if 12v switch is left on.

First suggestion - the TV aerial amp?
Not quite sure what you mean by the alarm and Tracker being on independent circuits - they will still draw current from the battery.

I did say from a separate battery which would be much smaller than the caravans normal battery.

Beg to differ. As I quoted "independent circuits" which says nothing about any additional battery. Anyway that battery (usually a 12V 7Ah) will only support a Tracker/alarm unit for a couple of weeks or even a month if the battery is in good state, but it draws current from the main battery as it has to be kept charged from somewhere.

Yes and that is why I stated “ solar charging”. There are many small batteries available now from Lead acid, Nicad and best lithium ion giving 7 amp hrs at 2.3kg weight plus the solar bit as an extra.

 

[Buckman]

It is a 2018 Buccaneer Cruiser that came standard with a Tracker system however it has now been fitted with with a Phantom alarm. I am wondering if the redundant Tracker is still drawing current. Aerial amplifier is switched off. Radio does light up although not on and as we hardly use it, I will remove the front cover just in case.
However I would have thought that the ALDE control panel with the backlight set to off, the radio lights and the aerial amp would not draw any current of significance over a week?
I am not sure how the fridge fits into the circuit as that would be the only unit or appliance that could draw more than average. Thanks for the input.

 

[Hutch]

I used to pull the fridge fuse every time in storage, but didn't like the Arcing so fitted that screw isolator, which works well. Isolates every thing , at times we have gone three months not getting outand the battery has only dropped from 12.9 to about 12.6v

 

[SirRogerFFS]

I have to say , the Radio front can be the big culprit . Had this happen to me and its the easiest place to start .
Sir Roger .

 

[colinbal4]

Try to find a wiring diagram for your caravan and post a copy. This will show us very clearly what goes through the master 12v switch and what doesnt.