Does Elsie have another problem

Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:01 pm

I went to pick up Elsie at the garage where she has spent a good part of the winter. Maybe they took her to FL...but I digress. She has 4 new Goodyear tires plus alignment. But when I got in all the little lights that are usually always on were off, the Carbon Monoxide light, the green light on the indicator panel. When I pressed the battery button to see where the batteries were that was zip also. So I checked to see that my batteries weren't turned off and then gave up. When I started the engine I looked and the green light was on so got up and checked the battery indicator and they had two red dots.

Any ideas as to what happened!?

I bet if I added up how many miles I've traveled against how much I've spent just on repairs and gas I'd be looking at an amount that would make me rename her from Elsie to Money Pit!
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Bethers » Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:56 pm

Sounds like your auxiliary batteries got totally drained. Something you want to avoid. How long was it sitting not plugged in and without disconnecting them?
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:12 pm

Bethers wrote:Sounds like your auxiliary batteries got totally drained. Something you want to avoid. How long was it sitting not plugged in and without disconnecting them?


That was my first fear, but this was only the 4th day since I took it out to the shop and I have two new auxiliary batteries. When I got home less than 3 miles the batteries showed the two red dots. I didn't think just driving that little bit would have charged them that much.

The other thing I just checked was, I had my refrigerator on propane for 6 days and it went from 3/4 full to a little above 1/2. Do they usually use propane that fast with just the fridge turned on and no other propane items were turned on during that time.
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Bethers » Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:33 pm

Redetotry wrote:
Bethers wrote:Sounds like your auxiliary batteries got totally drained. Something you want to avoid. How long was it sitting not plugged in and without disconnecting them?


That was my first fear, but this was only the 4th day since I took it out to the shop and I have two new auxiliary batteries. When I got home less than 3 miles the batteries showed the two red dots. I didn't think just driving that little bit would have charged them that much.

The other thing I just checked was, I had my refrigerator on propane for 6 days and it went from 3/4 full to a little above 1/2. Do they usually use propane that fast with just the fridge turned on and no other propane items were turned on during that time.

Your batteries cannot go 4 days without being charged and running the fridge, or even running nothing. Yes it was on propane but it also uses power from the batteries. You drained them. No it shouldn't have used that much propane, but what gauge are you using to tell you that? If the inside gauge it can be on the verge of dropping between those two.
Beth
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:59 pm

Beth, I only have one gauge that I know of for the propane and it is in the same compartment where you fill the propane. I had them check it for leaks last fall because I thought it used propane too fast and they didn't find a problem.
I like the Goodyear tires, the ride feels smoother and there isn't as much road noise as my old ones. I think you and someone else recommended them.
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Bethers » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:14 am

I guess the next question then is how big is your propane tank? But that really doesn't sound right.
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Thu Apr 25, 2013 7:01 am

Bethers wrote:I guess the next question then is how big is your propane tank? But that really doesn't sound right.


The specs sheet says 30L 8 US Gal
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:20 am

Since I ran the batteries down, do I just drive it until they are up and then turn them off when I park? Does it damage the batteries, I just bought two new ones in the fall. I've never had this happen before and I've let it set without being hooked up and the batteries on for over a week at a time and they would still be up.
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Bethers » Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:50 am

With the fridge on? And that's too long to expect the batteries to not drain. There are always things pulling something from them. Driving will charge them, or plugging her in.
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Re: Does Elsie have another problem

Postby Redetotry » Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:01 am

Thanks Beth, I don't remember if fridge was on the other times. But I'll drive her around today and then turn the batteries OFF! Propane is off and I took a picture of the gauge so I can monitor it.
So much to learn, guess it never ends.
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