Results for "CEL"

Electrical Medium 45 minutes 154 👍 0

RV Backup Camera Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Spent all winter enjoying a perfectly working RV backup camera, but the second temperatures hit 85 degrees outside, my screen goes completely black. My wireless backup camera decided to give me the silent treatment right when I need it most. The monitor is just sitting there mocking me with a "no signal" message, and honestly, my spatial awareness isn't what it used to be.

The camera worked fine on our last camping trip (when I only needed to back up twice), but now that I'm trying to navigate tight campground spots, it's gone completely dark. I'm dealing with a wireless system, so I know there are more things that can go wrong than with a wired setup.

Before I resort to using my spouse as a very expensive parking sensor, what's the best way to troubleshoot this? I'm hoping it's something simple like a loose connection rather than having to explain to my insurance company why there's a picnic table embedded in my bumper. …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 127 👍 0

How to Upgrade Progressive Dynamics Converter for Lithium RV Batteries Safely

Got a 15-year-old Progressive Dynamics converter that's starting to throw fault codes with my new lithium setup — worth upgrading or try making it work? I have a 2006 Lance 915 cabover that I recently upgraded with 2-200 watt Bouge solar panels and 2-100ah SOK lithium batteries.

The problem is I'm still running the original Progressive Dynamics converter charger that came with the RV, and I've learned it's not designed for lithium batteries. I'm worried about damaging my new battery investment.

What are my options for upgrading? I'm not sure if I need to replace the whole converter unit or if there's some kind of upgrade kit available. Any advice would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up! …more

Read answer

General Medium 4-8 hours 117 👍 0

How to Reduce RV Interior Noise: Complete Sound Dampening Guide for Motorhomes

Despite having a 2021 Coachmen Mirada, looking at my sound meter right now and there's 69 decibels of highway noise blasting through the cabin. My target is to achieve approximately 65 decibels for better communication with passengers.

I need a systematic approach to interior noise reduction. What are the most effective sound dampening materials and techniques for motorhomes? Specifically, I'm looking for solutions that address engine noise transmission, road noise, and any rattling components that contribute to the overall sound level.

What realistic noise reduction can I expect from proper sound deadening implementation, and what are the key areas to focus on for maximum impact? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 103 👍 0

RV Lithium Battery Not Charging: Complete BMS Reset & Troubleshooting

According to the manual my RV lithium battery should charge normally after BMS protection kicks in, but mine's been sitting completely dead for hours. My Battle Born battery is showing 20% charge, but it's not taking any power when I plug into shore power or when my solar panels should be charging it.

I've been reading about BMS protection modes but I'm not really sure what that means or how to deal with it. Is there a way to reset the BMS system? I'm a bit out of my depth here and would really appreciate some guidance on troubleshooting this before I have to call for expensive repairs. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 101 👍 0

Fleetwood Discovery Generator Won't Start: Battery & Electrical Fixes Guide

Since the manual says to check the fuel shutoff solenoid first on my 1999 Fleetwood Discovery 37V diesel pusher generator, why am I getting power there while the battery connections are completely corroded? The generator absolutely refuses to start unless I run the main Cummins engine for several minutes first, and I've already tried using the boost battery switch which seems to do nothing.

I have brand new batteries - two 12V for the chassis and four 6V house batteries properly wired. Everything else works fine, but this generator issue has me concerned. I want to understand: 1) Why won't the gen set start from its batteries without the main engine running first? 2) Which battery bank does the gen set actually use - chassis, house, or a separate gen set battery?

I'm 80 years old and hesitant to crawl under the coach to trace the gen set 12-volt cable. Can someone help me understand what might be happening with my generator's electrical system? …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 92 👍 0

Fix Renogy Lithium Battery Charge Percent Differences

Nobody has $200+ laying around for a service call — is there a DIY fix for Renogy lithium batteries showing wildly different charge percentages? About a year ago I installed 3 12v Renogy lithium batteries with a Renogy One Core control panel in my RV. Everything worked beautifully at first - the batteries were supposed to communicate with each other to keep all cells balanced, which is critical for lithium battery health.

Recently though, I've noticed the charge percentages are diverging by as much as 10% between batteries. Even worse, my One Core display keeps going blank and won't show charge percentages until I restart it. I've been through the manuals multiple times but can't find anything about troubleshooting charge percent differences or how to check for software updates on either the batteries or the control panel.

I know this communication/balancing issue could lead to serious problems if not addressed. Has anyone dealt with this before? I'm hoping there's a solution that doesn't involve replacing everything after just one year of use. …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 91 👍 0

Lead Acid vs Lithium RV Batteries: Complete Upgrade Guide

Pulled into my favorite boondocking spot with batteries that used to last three days, but now these lead acid units are completely dead after just one night! I've been running two 12V lead acid batteries in my travel trailer and I'm SO tired of dealing with their limitations - slow charging, constant maintenance, and they seem to die at the worst possible times.

I found these Dyness 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 lithium batteries and I'm really hoping they might be the solution I've been looking for. But I'm completely lost when it comes to lithium technology. Will my current converter/charger work with lithium batteries, or am I looking at more upgrades? I keep seeing mentions of something called a BMS - what exactly does that do and why is it important?

I just want a system that actually works reliably and charges properly both when plugged into shore power and while driving. Can someone please tell me if making the switch to these Dyness LiFePO4 batteries is worth it, and what I need to know about compatibility with my existing charging system? …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours 88 👍 0

Georgetown GT7 Lithium Battery Conversion: Complete RV Installation Guide

Turned the keys on my 2023 Georgetown GT7 and discovered the previous owner left the electrical system in complete shambles, now facing this intimidating lithium conversion nightmare. I know I need LiFePO4 batteries, but every forum post I read mentions different components and I'm getting conflicting information.

I really want to make this upgrade work - the lead acid batteries are killing me with their weight and charging limitations. What specific components do I need beyond the actual lithium batteries? I'm especially confused about whether my converter will work and if I need additional charging equipment for the alternator. Please tell me my 2023 model year gives me some advantage here! …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 87 👍 0

How to Install a Lithium Battery Manager Relay in Your RV - Complete Guide

Got my weekend planned to install a lithium battery manager relay in my 1999 Fleetwood American Dream Saturday — what should I have ready beforehand? I understand these relays are crucial for protecting lithium batteries from overcharging by managing the connection to the alternator, but I want to make sure I understand the complete installation process before I start.

I'm looking for detailed information on how these battery manager relays function - specifically how they disconnect the batteries from the alternator when charging isn't needed. More importantly, I need step-by-step guidance on the actual wiring process, including how to properly connect the relay between my alternator/converter and the new lithium battery bank. I'm particularly concerned about getting the fusing right and understanding what control circuits are involved in this setup.

This is a significant electrical modification to my RV's charging system, so I want to ensure I have all the technical details covered before I begin the installation. Any comprehensive guidance on the complete process would be extremely helpful. …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

LiFePO4 Battery Not Charging in RV: Complete Diagnosis Guide 2024

Planning my next boondocking trip when this faint electrical burning smell started coming from my battery compartment, and my 950W flat mounted plus 1200W ground solar setup isn't charging my LiFePO4 batteries at all. My LiFePO4 batteries used to charge up beautifully, hitting 100% by late afternoon like clockwork.

Now? Total drama queens. This morning we woke up at 18% charge, and after a full day of glorious sunshine, we're sitting pretty at a whopping 63%. With 2150W of solar, I should be swimming in electrons! But instead my batteries are acting like teenagers - moody and refusing to cooperate.

I'm starting to suspect something's gone wrong, but honestly, I have no clue how to properly check LiFePO4 batteries. Are they actually broken, or am I just doing something monumentally stupid? What voltage readings should I be looking for, and what else should I check before I start panic-buying new batteries? …more

Read answer

Electrical Easy 30-60 minutes for testing 84 👍 0

RV Battery Boost System: How to Connect Chassis and House Batteries for Emergency Power

Every time I try starting my RV, my chassis battery barely cranks in 30°F weather, takes forever to turn over, AND just died completely at my last gas stop. The voltage dropped to about 11V and it failed the load test. I tried using the battery boost switch but had to hold it down for about a minute before it worked.

How exactly does the battery boost system work? Does it connect the house batteries to help start the engine? Is it normal to have to hold the switch for that long, and what should I check to prevent this from happening again? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Electrical Medium 1-2 hours for diagnosis 82 👍 0

RV Battery Boiling and Sulfur Smell: Emergency Fix Guide (2024)

The storm that rolled through our campground this weekend left my RV house batteries boiling and releasing that terrifying sulfur smell. After a long road trip, I discovered one of my deep cycle batteries was actually boiling and giving off a strong sulfur smell. This isn't the first time - I've had two different house batteries do this exact same thing over the past year, including one that was less than a year old and another that was about two years old. Both times when I found the boiling battery, my RV wasn't connected to shore power, so I don't think it's related to being plugged in. The sulfur smell was really strong and concerning - is this dangerous? What actually causes a battery to start boiling like this, and what should I do when I find a battery in this condition? I'm worried about safety and also want to prevent this from happening again with my next battery replacement. …more

Read answer

Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 82 👍 0

Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Woke up to check out my new place's Dometic CF80 basement refrigerator/freezer and discovered what looks like deteriorated foam filter stuff in the bottom drain compartment. The foam material shows significant contamination and degradation.

I need to understand the specific function of this foam component within the CF80's drainage system. Is this foam element critical for proper unit operation, and what are the consequences of operating without it? Additionally, what is the recommended replacement schedule for this component, and how do I determine when replacement is necessary versus simple cleaning? …more

Read answer

Engine Easy Informational 80 👍 0

RV Residential Fridge Battery Drain: Generator Usage in Hot Weather Explained

My 2017 Pace Arrow 38B's residential fridge is forcing me to choose between running the generator nonstop or risking food spoilage during Phoenix boondocking in 80-degree heat.

I splurged on new AGM batteries just a few months ago, so these babies are practically still in diapers. But every morning I'm waking up to dead batteries like some sort of RV Groundhog Day nightmare. I have to fire up the engine just to get the generator going again!

So here's my million-dollar question: Is my power-hungry residential fridge just being a normal drama queen in this Phoenix heat, or did I somehow get cursed with defective batteries? I'm starting to wonder if running the generator twice daily is just the price I pay for having cold beer and ice cream in the desert, or if there's actually something wrong with my setup. Help a confused RVer out! …more

Read answer

Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 78 👍 0

RV Battery Water Loss: Why Some Batteries Boil More Than Others

Walked out to check my four 6-volt Interstate golf cart batteries in my 2015 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA and there's dramatically different water loss happening across them after just 6 months. Visual inspection reveals continuous bubbling activity in three of the four cells in these problematic batteries, while the fourth cell and all cells in the other two batteries appear normal.

The RV remains connected to shore power continuously, maintaining constant charging conditions. Battery testing indicates all batteries are within acceptable parameters and would not qualify for warranty replacement. What diagnostic steps should I perform to identify whether this is a connection issue, internal battery failure, or charging system problem? Specifically, what voltage and specific gravity measurements would indicate internal resistance problems that could cause this differential water consumption pattern? …more

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 27 Q&A articles!