Posted 2013-11-11 2:09 PM (#155740) Subject: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602 Location: md
Bought trailer in winter 12. Everything worked . June 12 went to camp, battery dead. Replaced. Trailer sat, some day rides I camping. November 12 went to camp, battery dead . Took charger to campground.13 went to camp August , battery dead. Mind you battery is just 14 months old. Replaced battery, Have now figured out it's the inverter. Nov, battery dead, charger says bad.Ps.nothing will work hooked up to truck either . Now getting ready to pump antifreeze through and nothing will work.
Posted 2013-11-11 2:33 PM (#155742 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Watertown, TN
I keep a trickle charger on mine all the time when setting and have not had any problems.What kind of truck do you have? If it is a Ford, the key may have to be on to put power to the trailer. That is the way my 02 F350 is. You can replace the relay with a jumper and make it hot all the time but if you aren't comfortable with electricity, take it to someone. I've never done it because I don't want to take a chance of running my batteries down with no help around.
Posted 2013-11-11 2:38 PM (#155743 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You must have something in your LQ that is putting a constant drain on the battery, causing it to discharge when it's not in use. If you connect an amp meter in series with the B+ terminal, you should see a draw of xxx amount of amps. If you open one circuit breaker at a time inside your power center, you can determine which circuit is causing the drain. Once that is determined, by checking the various devices on that circuit, you can determine by their usage, which one is causing the parasitic drag on the battery.
Until that is trouble shot, determined and corrected, the best thing you can do for the battery's longevity, is to disconnect the B+ lead from the battery terminal (s) and hooking up a battery tender to maintain its charge. If the battery is allowed to completely discharge, particularly in cold weather, it can be completely ruined in a short amount of time. It must have a charge to not freeze in the winter.
Posted 2013-11-11 4:47 PM (#155745 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602 Location: md
Could the problem have started by improper welding/ brazing ?? It all started after I had in shop, hook welded on. When I picked up trailer it was in wrong place so he cut it off. When I got home I had trouble, called him and he said he didNot cause it. I think he did. ( regular horse trailer shop )
Posted 2013-11-11 7:17 PM (#155747 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Watertown, TN
There is no doubt that the problem could have been caused by an improperly grounded welder. Gard is right, you probably have something drawing current from the battery all the time and that could be a wire with partially melted insulation. Didn't you say you had problems with your inverter? That, as well could have been caused by high electric currents through electronic equipment not designed for it. If you don't have the proper meters for this troubleshooting, find someone who does. The problem may not be that hard to figure out but, according to how the wiring is run, it may be hard to repair.
Posted 2013-11-11 9:08 PM (#155750 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
Two components come to mind that would drain your battery. Radio and LP/CO detector. Our trailer has a car radio installed, the radio draws a small drain on the battery to maintain memory and clock. The LP/CO detector will draw more power then the radio unless it has a way to shut it off while in storage. My previous trailer even had a solenoid valve on the propane line that that was controlled by the LP detector. That valve drew quite a bit of power if it was left on while in storage.
Posted 2013-11-11 10:37 PM (#155753 - in reply to #155750) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Electric welding in the presence of electronic devices, can certainly damage any component that is hit with a large surge in amperage. As was stated, if the welding was not properly grounded, the breakers were opened and the battery was disconnected before any welding was started, you may have some electrical malfunctions from fried equipment.
This happens sometimes in body shops, when automobiles are not properly prepared prior to welding. It can happen on any surface that is used for a ground for various electrical devices, such as a trailer's frame.
The welding can effect damage similar to a lightening strike.
Posted 2013-11-12 8:26 AM (#155760 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602 Location: md
Does not have radio, but does have co2 dectector. Factory LQ.Guess a trip to the shop may be necessary. I don't have any faith in it , as I have had my other trailer refrig there 4 times and still not fixed.
Posted 2013-11-12 10:21 AM (#155765 - in reply to #155761) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Check the ac breaker at your power center, for the converter circuit to see if it's tripped. If it hasn't, find the two DC wires ( usually black and red) from the converter which powers your battery and check for DC voltage. If there is no voltage, some converters have their own built in fuses, depending upon the make and model, internally or externally. Check to see if that is blown before you price a new converter and installation.
Posted 2013-11-20 8:16 AM (#155883 - in reply to #155740) Subject: RE: Will a LQ horse trailer completely ruin a battery?
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Watertown, TN
To test for current draw from the battery it will need to be charged. It would be safest to work with the negative side of the battery. The trailer frame is connected to the negative. If you inadvertently short the negative cable to the trailer, no harm-no foul. If you short the positive cable to the frame expect fireworks. An inline ammeter will work wit either side. Just make sure the polarity is correct.