Yeti Package problem

[rdmjdingee]

We purchased our Big Horn 3010 on June 4, 2013. Very satisfied with the dealer. Rocky Mountain RV in Butte, Mt. Couldn't have been nicer to deal with. We traveled for three weeks before returning home to Nevada. Unhooked, and within two days the batteries were dead. After much investigation, phone calls, and headache, we discovered that the YETI package fuse was draining the batteries. We called and talked to a service rep at Heartland. Were advised to take it in to Sierra RV in Reno. Made an appointment, had to wait 6 weeks, then after we took it in we treated as second class. Seems if you buy your unit from them, you have priority service. Even after having an appointment. The had our 5th wheel a week before they looked at at. Had to call the factory to get them moving. Now, even the factory is telling us there is not a FIX for the YETI package (which we paid extra to have) draining the batteries, and the best advice they can give us is to leave the fuse out. What? How do we go out in the hills, and depend on the YETI to keep us from freezing up? I cannont believe we paid $60,000 for a 5th wheel that we cannot get fixed?
Any suggestions for the next step?

 

[Lynn1130]

Does your unit have a 12V battery disconnect?

 

[kakampers]

I'm a little confused...you must know that the Yetti package will draw power when on....two days of even minimal draw will draw batteries down quickly. Do you not have solar or generator to top off batteries during the day??

 

[kowAlski631]

I'm also confused. Why was the Yeti package turned on in the summer?

Martha

 

[TravelTiger]

I am also confused. The package has a switch, right? Off, it can't draw from the batteries. If the package is On and drains the batteries, this suggests you are either boondocking, or a problem with the converter not charging your battery properly. If you are boondocking, you really can't expect much battery life from the one battery on these big units.


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[rjr6150]

I was under the impression the package was 110 volt AC not 12 volt. From the web site it does indicate the freshwater line to be low voltage.

 

[kowAlski631]

There is a switch in our control panel. If it's off there shouldn't be any drain on the batteries.

 

[wdk450]

A. If there isn't a switch on the Yeti package, I would add one.
B. I would consider investing in a small(2000 watt) quiet generator, if you do not already have one, plus a 5 gallon gasoline can, or two. Running the generator about 4 hours a day should bring the batteries (I would have maybe 4 with your package) back up with a 60 amp charger. Keep plugged in whenever possible. Generating your own electricity can get expensive. Making heat with electricity (this is what the Yeti package does) uses a LOT of electricity.
C. For best service, I would consider finding an INDEPENDENT RV servicer (no RV sales) to take care of your service needs. Heartland will pay for warranty service from any RV servicer you choose with prior authorization from them. The independents don't rely on RV sales for their primary income, they rely on the promptness and quality of service to keep their businesses going. Heartland keeps a list of independents in your area they have worked successfully with, or you can check RVServiceReviews.com

 

[danemayer]

I think on the earlier Yeti installations, the switch turns on the 110V tank heating pads. The water line uses a thermostat to turn on the heat tape when temps drop.

If you put the unit in storage and don't turn the battery cutoff to OFF, and temps drop, the heat tape will operate. This is not a malfunction.

If for some reason you want to store the trailer with the battery cutoff ON, even if you pull the fuse to the heat tape, other parasitic drains will drain the battery over a few days or a week.

If you plan on boon docking in cold weather, you need more power.


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[rdmjdingee]

Well, with the switch off, it still drains the package. The wiring doesn't even connect from the switch to the fuse panel. Something major wrong here!

 

[rdmjdingee]

the only answer the factory can provide is to pull the fuse. Even with the switch turned off, it drains the batteries. They say they are aware of the problem, but do not have an answer other than to pull the fuse.

 

[rdmjdingee]

No, it is draining the batteries, while turned off. The only answer we are getting from the factory is to pull the fuse. WRONG! there has to be a short of some kind somewhere.

 

[danemayer]

rdmjdingee,

As I said, I think the switch controls the tank heaters ONLY. The heat tape on the water line is thermostatically controlled and turns on when temperatures drop.

If you want to be able to shut off the heat tape instead of allowing its thermostat to do its job, you'll need to add a switch that interrupts the power line from the back of the fuse panel to the heat tape. But if you switch it off in cold weather to save battery power, your water line may freeze.

If you're trying to say that the heat tape draws power when it's warm outside, there's something wrong with the thermostat on the heat tape and it should be replaced.

 

[rdmjdingee]

This is exactly what is happening. At 100 degrees outside, there should be no power going anywhere. Thanks for the advice. Our email address is ladychamp@sbcglobal.net. Could you please get ahold of us so my husband can talk to you. THANKS!