Results for "battery bank"

Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours for inverter replacement 250 👍 1

RV Inverter Guide: Modified vs Pure Sine Wave - Safe Power

My multimeter's out and I'm ready to tackle this RV electrical mess myself — pretty sure the inverter's the culprit but need to know where to start. I have a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage with four deep cycle house batteries and recently installed a Xantrex 758 inverter to replace my old Freedom 15 unit. The first time I tried using the inverter power while unplugged from shore power, something very strange happened - a hair dryer in the bathroom started running by itself and wouldn't shut off when I tried the switch. I had to unplug it, and the handle was warm. The hair dryer appears to be ruined now.

When I bought the Xantrex 758, I paid around $725 for what I thought was a good unit, but I'm now learning there's a difference between modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverters. I wasn't aware of this distinction when I made the purchase, and it turns out the 758 is a modified sine wave unit. I've since heard that modern electronics, especially things like residential refrigerators, computers, and sensitive electronic components, can be damaged by modified sine wave power.

I'm really concerned about potentially damaging my new residential refrigerator, stereo system, and computer equipment. Should I be worried about using this modified sine wave inverter with modern RV electronics? Is the hair dryer incident a sign that I need to upgrade to a pure sine wave unit, or are there other factors that could have caused this problem? I'm trying to understand if my current setup is putting my expensive electronics at risk. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 201 👍 0

RC7-GS Inverter AGM Battery Settings: Complete Setup Guide

Replaced my 105Ah AGM battery and now my RC7-GS inverter charger is completely rejecting it like this capacity doesn't exist in its programming.

The charging settings only go from 125Ah up to 1000Ah, with an 'auto' option that supposedly 'learns' my battery but resets every time the low voltage cutoff trips (which feels like cheating, honestly). I'm worried about undercharging or cooking my expensive new AGMs if I pick the wrong setting.

Oh, and while we're talking about things that don't work as advertised - the generator auto-start feature might as well be a myth. Can't even manually start the generator from the RC7 panel. At this point I'm wondering if I should have just stuck with my old setup that actually worked! Anyone know what I'm doing wrong here? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 126 👍 0

Dometic 12V Refrigerator Not Cooling on Battery Power - Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Staring at my Dometic DMC compressor refrigerator that runs perfectly on 12V DC when it's cool but stops cooling completely once temperatures hit 85°F or higher. The unit works perfectly when I'm plugged into shore power at campgrounds - everything stays cold and the freezer compartment keeps items frozen solid. However, when I'm boondocking and running solely on my RV's battery bank, the performance drops significantly. The refrigerator struggles to maintain proper temperatures, and the freezer can't keep things frozen.

I have a relatively new battery setup with what should be adequate capacity for my power needs. The batteries test fine with a multimeter when the refrigerator isn't running, but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing about power requirements or electrical connections. I've heard that 12V compressor refrigerators can be pretty demanding on battery systems, but I'm not sure what specific issues to look for.

What are the most common causes when a 12V Dometic compressor refrigerator works fine on shore power but fails to cool properly when running on batteries? I want to troubleshoot this systematically before calling in a technician. …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 126 👍 0

RV Inverter Beeping 3 Times Then Shutting Off: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Standing next to my RV watching what started as occasional inverter beeps last month escalate into exactly three beeps and complete shutdown after just minutes. My multimeter shows the batteries at 12.8V when I check them, so they seem fine.

I'm worried there might be something more serious going on that I'm missing. Could this be a safety issue? What would cause an inverter to shut itself off like this even when the battery voltage looks normal? I don't want to keep trying to restart it if there's a risk of damaging the system or creating a safety hazard. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 1-2 hours 120 👍 0

Xantrex Freedom X 1200 Inverter Low Battery Warning: Critical 11.2V Fix Guide

Walked into my new RV and discovered the previous owner left the Xantrex Freedom X 1200 inverter constantly throwing critical 11.2V low battery warnings. My Xantrex Freedom X 1200 inverter is displaying warning indicators on the panel, and I'm seeing some concerning voltage readings that have me worried about potential damage to my electrical system.

Here's the complete situation: My house battery is reading 11.2 volts, while the chassis battery shows 13.1 volts. The inverter panel is lit up with what I assume are low voltage warnings. I've been noticing the interior lights dimming significantly, especially when trying to run any appliances through the inverter. To make matters worse, it's currently overcast and getting dark, so my solar panels aren't generating any meaningful charge to help recover the battery.

I'm particularly concerned because I know lead-acid batteries can be permanently damaged if they're discharged too deeply. The voltage reading of 11.2V seems critically low to me, but I want to understand exactly how urgent this situation is and what my immediate next steps should be. Should I be looking at shore power connection, generator use, or is there something wrong with my charging system that caused this in the first place? I need to know both the immediate fix and what might have caused this failure. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 118 👍 0

RV MPPT Solar Controller E1 Error Code: Causes & Fixes

Halfway through troubleshooting my MPPT solar charge controller's E1 error — would this be covered under warranty, or am I stuck paying out-of-pocket? The controller was working fine for months, but now it's completely stopped charging my batteries and just displays this E1 fault code on the screen.

From what I've read, this could be related to battery over-voltage conditions or possibly some kind of wiring fault, but I want to make sure I understand all the potential causes before I start troubleshooting. I'm comfortable doing basic electrical work myself, but I also want to know when this might be something that requires professional attention for safety reasons.

Can someone provide a detailed breakdown of what the E1 error specifically indicates, walk me through the proper diagnostic steps to identify the root cause, and explain the repair process? I'd especially appreciate guidance on how to safely approach this troubleshooting and what warning signs would indicate I should call in an expert instead of attempting the fix myself. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 113 👍 0

How to Upgrade Your RV Converter Charger for Lithium Batteries with Gentle Care

Halfway through planning our three-week cross-country trip next month, I realized my PD4560 60-amp converter/charger won't properly handle the lithium batteries I'm installing. My existing Progressive Dynamics unit obviously isn't designed for LiFePO4 batteries - I can use boost mode to charge them up, but I know that's not ideal for battery longevity.

I just purchased a 30 amp generator and I'm wondering if it will have enough capacity to handle not just my current charger, but potentially a larger lithium-compatible unit. I'm considering upgrading to a 75 or even 90 amp charger to reduce charging times, but I need to make sure my generator can handle the load. I'm trying to figure out the actual AC amp draw of these higher-capacity chargers and whether my 30 amp generator will be sufficient.

What are the best lithium-compatible converter/charger options that would work with my generator setup, and how do I properly size the charger capacity to match my lithium battery bank? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 4-6 hours 107 👍 0

RV 3-Way to 12V Compressor Fridge Replacement: Cut Power Use 80%

Three weeks into owning this RV and the previous owner left me with a power-hungry Norcold 3-way absorption fridge that's absolutely demolishing my 600AH battery bank daily.

I keep hearing people rave about switching to 12V compressor fridges like the Dometic DMC4101, claiming they'll solve all my power woes. But here's the thing - everyone says "it uses way less power" but nobody gives me actual numbers! I need the cold hard facts: exactly how much power will I save making this switch? Will it really make that big of a difference, or am I just trading one expensive problem for another?

Please tell me someone has real-world experience with the power consumption difference between these fridge types! …more

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Solar Batteries Hard 4-6 hours 106 👍 0

MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202

About my 2007 Fleetwood Bounder: the MagnaSine MS2012 manual claims it should handle my loads perfectly, but this inverter keeps failing on me anyway. It's been acting up for months now - the microwave keeps causing it to hiccup and shut off, then it comes right back on. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

I've been looking at upgrading to something more reliable, maybe a Victron or another brand, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the options out there. What are the best replacement inverters that other RVers have had success with? I just want something that's going to work consistently without all these random shutdowns.

Before I spend a bunch of money though, could this actually be a battery issue instead of the inverter itself? I'd hate to replace a perfectly good unit if the real problem is somewhere else in the system. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 105 👍 0

How to Protect Your RV Alternator When Charging Lithium Batteries: DC-

Tried everything my neighbor did to charge his LiFePO4 batteries but mine keeps frying the alternator while his works flawlessly — what's different? I want to install a temperature sensing device that can interrupt charging by opening the solenoid between chassis and house charging systems if the alternator gets too hot. I'm looking to spec out components and understand the installation process, and I'm open to hearing why this might not be a good approach. My goal is preventing alternator overheating when these lithium batteries draw high current compared to my old flooded or AGM batteries. I'm looking for technical feedback and am totally open to critique. …more

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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

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Electrical Easy 10 min read 100 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Guide: When to Use, What Loses Power & Staying Safe

Wondering if I can skip the $400 shop diagnosis for my electrical issues and just figure out this battery disconnect switch myself, even though I'm getting conflicting advice.

Specifically, I'm concerned about what happens to things like my LP gas detector, carbon monoxide alarm, and refrigerator when I disconnect the battery. Will I lose all my radio presets and clock settings? Are there certain situations where I absolutely shouldn't use the disconnect switch?

I want to use it for storage to prevent battery drain, but I'm also wondering about daily use scenarios. What are the best practices to avoid any problems or safety issues? I really don't want to mess anything up or put my family at risk. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 98 👍 0

Complete RV Solar System Guide 2024: Sizing, Installation & Wiring

Turned to YouTube for RV solar advice and now I'm more confused than ever - probably a dumb question, but how do I actually size this thing? Could fellow RV owners share details about their current solar setups?

Please provide insights on:
- Total system watts
- Fixed or portable panels
- Rigid or flexible panel types
- Series or parallel wiring configuration
- Total system amps
- System voltage
- Wire gauge used
- Controller type
- Personal pros and cons of your current setup
- What you might change in a future installation

These details will help establish baseline specifications for a fleet installation project. …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 98 👍 0

RV Emergency Start Switch Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Every time the temperature hits 85°F or higher, my RV's emergency start switch completely fails — works perfectly in cooler weather, but now my chassis battery is dead while house batteries stay charged. When I press the emergency start button, absolutely nothing happens - no sounds, no response at all.

I'm worried there might be something wrong with the system or that I'm not using it correctly. Should I be hearing some kind of click or sound when I press the button? Could there be blown fuses I need to check? I'm hesitant to keep trying without knowing if I might cause damage to the electrical system. What's the proper troubleshooting process to safely figure out why this emergency start feature isn't connecting my house batteries to help start the engine? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 94 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug & Coil Replacement Guide - RV Engine Maintenance Tips

After handling coil swaps on my old Chevy like they were nothing, this Ford E450 V10 setup has me completely intimidated and second-guessing everything. I've heard cylinder #3 is particularly difficult to access and I'm scared I might break something or use the wrong tools.

I tried using a 7mm wrench like some sources suggested, but it doesn't seem to fit properly and I'm afraid of stripping the bolt heads. I'm also concerned about how to safely reach the coils without damaging other components.

Can someone please walk me through the safest approach and tell me exactly what size wrench I should be using? I'd rather ask for help than risk making an expensive mistake. …more

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