12 volt system - Okanagan UDB
Hi folks! I admit I'm suffering from information overload with respect to my campers 12 volt system! :) So I'll start slow with a couple questions... Currently (no pun intended) my camper is...
Forum Discussion
My guess is that your TCs battery is either discharged or very low on power and is not being charged. I assume you have a multimeter and can measure the voltage at the terminals. If anything less than 12.4 volts....put it on a battery charger.
You need to get it up to 12.6 volts "after" it has been charged and disconnected from EVERYTHING for an hour or so. Anything less than say 12.4 volts is indicating that the battery isn't holding a charge (for one reason or another) and you need to replace it. If you do replace it, make sure the new one is a Deep Cycle and is measured in "amp hours" and not "cold cranking amps". Big difference.
As for the solar panels, 11 volts is not near enough to charge the battery...you have a problem there, or maybe just not enough sun?
I would also guess that you don't have a built-in converter that has a multistage battery charger as part of it and the only charging capability is the solar panel...correct? If no converter and your solar panels aren't putting out sufficient power, then you will need to recharge the battery almost daily while camping...so for this you'll need 120v hook up or a generator and the charger, of course.
Pulling the fuse would be an easy way to disconnect the truck batteries from the camper's battery. You might want to think about putting in a switch that will disconnect the fuse without having to pull it.
Good luck
Ron
You need to get it up to 12.6 volts "after" it has been charged and disconnected from EVERYTHING for an hour or so. Anything less than say 12.4 volts is indicating that the battery isn't holding a charge (for one reason or another) and you need to replace it. If you do replace it, make sure the new one is a Deep Cycle and is measured in "amp hours" and not "cold cranking amps". Big difference.
As for the solar panels, 11 volts is not near enough to charge the battery...you have a problem there, or maybe just not enough sun?
I would also guess that you don't have a built-in converter that has a multistage battery charger as part of it and the only charging capability is the solar panel...correct? If no converter and your solar panels aren't putting out sufficient power, then you will need to recharge the battery almost daily while camping...so for this you'll need 120v hook up or a generator and the charger, of course.
Pulling the fuse would be an easy way to disconnect the truck batteries from the camper's battery. You might want to think about putting in a switch that will disconnect the fuse without having to pull it.
Good luck
Ron
