Av8r3400 Posted August 11, 2018 Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 My HDT (12 Volvo 730) will shut down the interior power after a short period of time while parked. 12v outlets, interior lights and the fridge all shut down. It will power back up if I press the top of the sleeper fan switch on the dash. Is there somewhere to defeat this unwanted feature? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted August 11, 2018 Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 I believe that is an automatic battery saver feature to shed loads when the truck senses it may not have enough charge to do anything but start the engine. Mine did that couple of times when over the winter I could not drive far enough to put a good charge on the batteries and did not have access to electricity to put on a charger. Are your batteries relatively new and holding a charge? I’m not aware of a way to disable that function since it’s basically the last gasp to get the truck running before you are completely dead in some remote place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted August 11, 2018 Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 On my Gen I, the battery saver was easy to disconnect. There is a connector between the battery and non-essential components. The battery minder was a short cable, about 2', with a component box in the middle, that plugged in between the connectors. Only thing is that it is way under the dash to get at. I had to disassemble the dash to get at the battery minder. Only thing is that the battery minder is designed to keep you from using accessories to the point where you can't start. I would come up with a way to keep the batteries charged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted August 11, 2018 Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 The battery minder has saved me a few times. Have a florescent that doesn't light up very bright and left it on a few times. Need to just take it out, but keep thinking I will replace it with an led. Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveh56 Posted August 11, 2018 Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 Google "APU" will provide solutions to keeping power going in your rig while parked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted August 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2018 Thank you all for the info. I’ve never had a fail to start, but I guess a good load test of the batteries is in order to check their health. They aren’t old, but not new since I’ve owned the truck. Maybe it’s time to pony up for a new set... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 13, 2018 Report Share Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) My Won Ton, has a parasitic draw, (I do not drive it enough) it will slowly drain the Optima yellow tops over time to a point that the truck will struggle/may not start. I invested in a very cheap solar power charger from HF, bingo no more issues. Truck is parked facing north and gets full sunshine on the windshield 10-12 hours a day. I plugged the wiring into the constant 12 v plug in the dash, set the panel on the dash carpet, and it has kept the batteries topped off for 4 months now. I suspect with a full charge a pair of these would keep the 730 up to snuff. For my 780, I keep the batteries plugged into a battery tender to keep the batteries at peak voltage. Edited August 13, 2018 by Parrformance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemergary Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Few aftermarket radio's out there that are real bad for battery draw. I have battery shut offs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Bingo beemergary, it is the radio in the Dodge, I have been too lazy to replace it, because I am able to cycle through the three cameras I have connected to the 7 inch display. The solar panel has covered the draw, so until I need to fix it..... Edited August 15, 2018 by Parrformance misspelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 I just mounted a battery minder and plug that in to keep things topped off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 I use a 20W solar panel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted August 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2018 My HDT does have a master switch that I shut off for long term parking at home. During the research phase of our HDT buy, I learned of mystery parasitic draws that a master switch eliminates. So, I'm pretty religious about shutting off the master. I have never had a failure to start (battery wise), even in the cold of our Wisconsin winter. Just when we are out and using the rig I leave the master on and this is when the issue arises. Been way too busy this summer to take it apart and get the batteries load tested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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