Problem with battery. Experience guy needed

Smoke90 wrote:
Hi,

As you know i am new to RV
My toy hauler came with a cumins 5500w generator.

On our past two dry camping adventure we experienced dead battery.

We only use the batteries for light, water pump and furnace fan.
I am not surprised to use all the batteries with furnace pump and light but i am surprised that a 3 hour drive (hookup to the TV) and then 2 hours run of generator is not enough to recharge the batteries.

My dealer is telling me that those deep cycle batteries needed at least 24 hours hookup to recharge the batteries

I don t get it?

Also if i buy a solar panels kit is a 100W kit enough?

Thanks

TV will NOT adequately charge trailer batteries.

You need a 1000W MSW inverter and a good "smart" battery charger. Voltage drop/loss from the TV to the trailer will be to high to adequate charge the battery.

Even with the inverter you'll need to be sure the voltage supplied to the trailer is above 11 volts with FULL charging load.

Revision: use the inverter for powering the PD while underway.

Make SURE you have low resistance wiring, positive + ground, between the PD and the battery.

you may also want to "de-sulfate" the batteries if you have a charger with a regen. mode. If the batteries were drained really low sometimes they build up deposits and this kind of shakes them off.

here is the manual for your converter http://www.dyersonline.com/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/143/

check out the 3rd page; it describes the charge times

this page http://www.dyersonline.com/inteli-power-9200-series-80-amp-converter-charger.html has the links to the manual/install/spec sheet

Smoke90 wrote:
The converter is a progressive dynamics inteli power PD9280
13.6 V 80A

Excellent converter. No upgrade needed. Should charge at 14.4 volts for a full four hours when the battery is low. Verify with your voltmeter. There is a pendent available to manually change modes if needed.

Solar kit looks fine. I would tend to add a second 100w panel from the get go.

You can buy brackets or make your own from angled aluminum stock from Home Depot/Ace. Yes they will hold up in all normal wind conditions.

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If the battery was allowed to run down in storage it may have lost some capacity. Solar may help bounce them back... if not you will need to consider replacement.

Here's what I use in my rig: http://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Lighter-Voltage-Digital-Voltmeter/dp/B0092KVYGI

Batteries are
650A @ 0degF
810A @ 32degF
23A AVE 175min

The converter is a progressive dynamics inteli power PD9280
13.6 V 80A

I also have a progresive dynamics auto transfer relay swith PD52

Hope this help

I would guess that your convertor is behind a removable panel in the front, side bay. It is more than likely a WFCO, which is a poor convertor. Go to a Progressive Dynamics PD80 or similar. Will do a MUCH better, and faster, charge job. Some solar for storage will be very helpful.

As far as the led this is what i am thinking to buy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSG3AIE/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1WNBZLIQ5L2GL

FYI i chose natural white as this is what we have in our house as we do not like the warm white color

Hi to all

Thanks for all those info and here are some answer and more question:
My rig is a cyclone 3712 and has two batteries
Don t know where is dam inverter? But it is not with the generator and the batteries
It is too dark now and i ll do it tomorrow

But after reading all those answer it make sense now that i need to change things.
First as sone suggest i will switch the bulb for led.

As far as solar i think it is a good idea since the rig is in storage and i have no access to power. The led will help reduce consumption and the solar will help keeping the battery charged.
Sorry but i hate to hear the generator running.
Yes i have a battery disconnect and in the future i will

Disconnect the battery when in storage
Bring the rv at home and plug it for 24h before leaving
But the solar panel may solve those issues

What do you think about this kit

http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-Bundle-100W-Monocrystalline/dp/B00B8L6EFA/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1403327865&sr=1-2&keywords=100+w+solar+kit

It is expandable
How do you attache the panel on your roof?
Will they handle 120 mph wind? Considering my speed plus a head wind or crossing a truck on 2 lanes road?
How do you run the cable from the roof to the battery compartment?
Do i have to start removing panels inside the bedroom?

Thanks

colliehauler wrote:
When you store your RV do you turn the battery disconnect off?

Exactly. If the batteries are not disconnected while the RV is stored, expect for them to be completely discharged within 1-2 weeks at best. This type of activity is also not good for the life of the batteries.

Best solution is to have an independent 4-step charger while storing the RV to maintain the health and charge of your batteries. I actually do both the battery disconnect from the RV and use a charger to maintain the batteries to know they are 100% charged before heading out.