now researching solar power
Hello All, Just came back from a 4 day dry camping trip. I'll try to post a report when we get pics downloaded. It was a great time in a wonderful cg. Our power level stated it was in the "good"...
Forum Discussion
Long term start with installing a Trimetric device so you have an accurate picture of the charge level in your batteries and can monitor what goes out and what comes back in. When you know what your normal nightly demand is you will also know how much solar charge production you will need. Solar can replace the charge used during the night but I doubt that it would have helped in your situation as it sounds like the batteries were not at 100% to start with or something caused a severe drain.
At this point you don't know if the batteries are getting a full charge or holding a charge or if you have some device that is draining them, like having the fridge switch over from propane to 12v DC.
Be sure the batteries have enough water and then charge them using the charger in the camper to get them to 100%. Then measure the voltage level for each battery. All it takes is for one cell to be bad to pull down the others and greatly reduce the amount of current your battery bank can provide. This will be most noticeable with the high demand of 4 jack motors going at the same time.
Usually if a compartment will hold a group 27 it will also be able to hold a group 31 type battery. If you do have a bad battery I would replace it with the largest that will fit.
At this point you don't know if the batteries are getting a full charge or holding a charge or if you have some device that is draining them, like having the fridge switch over from propane to 12v DC.
Be sure the batteries have enough water and then charge them using the charger in the camper to get them to 100%. Then measure the voltage level for each battery. All it takes is for one cell to be bad to pull down the others and greatly reduce the amount of current your battery bank can provide. This will be most noticeable with the high demand of 4 jack motors going at the same time.
Usually if a compartment will hold a group 27 it will also be able to hold a group 31 type battery. If you do have a bad battery I would replace it with the largest that will fit.
