Batteries Draining

[yippie]

First post! Sadly it's because we are currently having some issues with our 2006 International CE bus not starting. This has happened only once before and the batteries must be completely drained bc it won't even crack or light up the dash. I've come to two possible agents of our issue. The first being that our entrance door, like most IC buses, is air powered. Now that the conversion process has started, we go in and out of the bus manually opening the door all the time. I can hear the air being released every time we open and close it. I've read that there is a manual and automatic switch for the door and that if you keep it on automatic it could potentially drain your battery. The second possible cause is the VCR component. We have three cameras all wired to a control box and the box seemed to continue running (the fan in the control box) after I turned the bus off. Therefore, I completely unplugged the unit. Idk if either of those could be a plausible potential to our battery drain problem, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

yippie!

[david.dgeorge07]

Simplest fix is a battery disconnect. Get a good trickle charger and get the juice going again. Install disconnect that you flip when away from bus for a while.

[Danjo]

Are you intermittently using the battery? If you are, how are you recharging it? Have you tested the battery to make sure it’s good? If you’re pretty sure something is draining the battery, you can try this:

[PNW_Steve]

Parasitic loads are pretty common on buses with electronic engines.

If I leave my bus parked several weeks, without disconnecting the batteries, it will not start without charging first.

A battery disconnect switch is a great solution.

Of course, if your batteries are bad it is moot. Wouldn't hurt to have them tested.

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Are you intermittently using the battery? If you are, how are you recharging it? Have you tested the battery to make sure it’s good? If you’re pretty sure something is draining the battery, you can try this:

very helpful and saved to my files

[Danjo]

FWIW, I am currently chasing a 2A drain using that method. I’ve been able to identify that it’s happening, but pulling fuses hasn’t turned it up yet. I have been able to narrow it down that way though by doing it from the positive side. Ive separated the positive leads that feed he various fuse blocks and narrowed it down to the engine compartment.

[yippie]

What disconnect product do you suggest? Also, thanks for the feedback!

[yippie]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Simplest fix is a battery disconnect. Get a good trickle charger and get the juice going again. Install disconnect that you flip when away from bus for a while.

What disconnect product do you suggest?

[Ol'DirtyHobo]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Parasitic loads are pretty common on buses with electronic engines.

If I leave my bus parked several weeks, without disconnecting the batteries, it will not start without charging first.

A battery disconnect switch is a great solution.

Of course, if your batteries are bad it is moot. Wouldn't hurt to have them tested.

Would I need a battery disconnect on each battery?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Ol'DirtyHobo

Would I need a battery disconnect on each battery?

Put the disconnect after the batteries go to a single + or - cable.

[Diverdude0075]

Great info folks, and video! I'm gonna track this down on my bus and '03 Miata which has a big drain. How long are your batteries lasting? Mine are just over a year old and seem like they are getting weaker...