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Luis (Sundancer)

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Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 2:25 pm:   

My 8D batteries keep draining evan after opening the 24v main switch. The reason is I can still see a 12v load on all the time. From where, I have no idea as of yet. I will get to that later, but first a thought. I have an electronic equalizer that has Reverse Polarity guards. It specifically states that the gnd terminal should be the first disconnected and the last connected in order not to damage the equalizer.
Hence my question. The 24v input to the equalizer is wired directly to the batteries. If I relocate this input through my 24v main switch, will I really hurt my equalizer since the gnd will not be the first and last connected? Give me your opinion. Thanks,
Luis
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)

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Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 3:46 pm:   

You need to disconnect the 12-volt load. Even though you don’t know what it is, you can put a switch at the center tap. Unless your equalizer is defective, it will put very very little load on a balanced battery.

Install a 12 volt disconnect switch.
Hook the equalizer directly to the battery.
Run wires from battery to 12v & 24v disconnect switches.
Hook ALL loads to disconnect switches.
Luis (Sundancer)

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Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 5:02 pm:   

Okay, I understand that. I will install a 12v knife switch between the 12v main fuse and the center tap off the equalizer. Than I will proceed and find where that load is coming from. They may be coming from the electronic components off my 6v92 DDEC. Thanks
Luis
JR

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Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 8:07 pm:   

You also have a 12V headlight tap that terminates at the headlight diodes in the tool compartment (above and forward of the window washer res) that may have been modified or something is attached to the circuit. That will be the "other" 10 ga wire attached to the center 12V battery (rear battery, with 12V equalizer lead). You could remove the equalizer from the circuit for a few days and see what happens. You have a 12V and 24V lead to the equalizer. If batts continue to fail, disconnect the 12V headlight and repeat wait. You are correct that the DDEC 1 and ATEC units are wired to the pos rear batt and would draw down the rear battery only, if the equalizer were disconnected. This is a crude way to prove the problem, but effective. If you have the time. Could use a VOA and check for load on the various devices, however, the equalizer will arc when connected, and may damage some meters if correct scale is not selected. How old are your batteries? Are your headlights running on 12V or 24V? The headlights are a complicated system that operates on 24V series, or 12V parallel in failure. The diodes sense failed headlights and prevent "string" failure. JR
Luis (Sundancer)

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Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 10:28 am:   

I've been able to determine that most of the drain is indeed coming from the electronic components. I think I will put a cut off switch on the ground side of the battery feed. I want to keep it simple so that I won't forget what has to be turned on. You know how it is after 50. Thanks
Luis
David (Davidinwilmnc)

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Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 12:38 pm:   

Before you but a switch on the ground, check with your equalizer documentation first. I have a Vanner and it says not to switch the ground. I think it has to do with backfeeding from the 24 volt system through the 12. Of course, if you turn off the 24 volt switch first, it won't be an issue. How about a large relay to control the 12 volt tap that is switched with your 24 volt disconnect? Even simpler would be separate 12 and 24 volt disconnects.
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)

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Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 8:24 pm:   

Wouldn't disconnecting the equalizer 24 volt wire (putting it on the other side of the switch) get rid of the drain? I think the brains run on 24 volt. You really do not have to run the equallizer wiring direct to the battery as long as you use big enough cables for connection.

Also, how about a modest solar panel to keep the batteries up even with the drain.
David (Davidinwilmnc)

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Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 9:33 pm:   

Like I said, if you turn off the 24 volt switch first, it's not a problem. What if you forget to turn them on in the correct order? What if somebody else screws the order up? If you want to switch the ground, Vanner says to install a high current diode in the 12 volt tap.

I'm also considering a small solar setup. I'm wondering what size solar array I'd need for a couple of 8D's and 4 L16's. I'd want to maintain a charge mostly.

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