Should I Be Worried About Draining Batteries?

[tvalleav10]

I just picked up my 1997 Ambulance (photo below) yesterday. It basically spent its whole life "plugged in" when it wasn't in operation. It does not appear to have a "kill switch" that would disconnect the batteries when not in use.

I'm a bit worried about draining them. Is there reason to believe they will drain as the ambulance sits not plugged in? I'm not in a situation that would allow me to plug it in regularly as it sits. I've tried to be careful to make sure absolutely everything is turned off while it sits.

Any advice?

Total newbie here!

[Dutchette]

We didn’t think ours had a “kill switch” until we found the mother board behind a keyed panel. It was in there that we found a black switch that did the job. Good luck getting to know your new baby. It’s so fun finding it’s quirks and perks. We have a 2003 Ford e450 and love it so far.


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[Dutchette]

I forgot to mention that the battery we were given was one that was plugged in every night, much like yours. It stuck us. So we ended up getting a new one.


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[tvalleav10]

When you say "it stuck us," do you mean you got stranded?

[Dutchette]

When you say "it stuck us," do you mean you got stranded?

Yes, sorry. Stuck overnight in17*. Fortunately we had propane and a Buddy Heater to keep us warm.
We were lucky to get WiFi from a building close by and find a local hardware store that delivered a battery to us. We will always remember the cold night in the mountains of WV.


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[tvalleav10]

Would running a generator and plugging in overnight have saved you from this?

[Dutchette]

Would running a generator and plugging in overnight have saved you from this?

I don’t believe so. We were given the option to plug it in from a neighboring building overnight so that didn’t help. Maybe a heater, but honestly it was an old recycled battery and wouldn’t turn over the diesel.


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[iggi]

many ambulances have sources of constant electrical drain. The only real way to find them is to use an ammeter and test your circuits. I discovered my power switch was drawing 2 amps and a heater relay was drawing another 1.5 amps. It's not a lot but it was enough to kill the house batteries.