Results for "battery boost"

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

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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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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 106 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 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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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 93 👍 0

RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions

Around my neighborhood, opinions on hydroboost fluid seepage are all over the map—my neighbor calls it normal wear, the RV dealer screams safety hazard, and YouTube mechanics can't agree either. It's not a major leak - just some dampness and staining where it mounts. I'm remembering a previous forum discussion where a user named Subford had similar seepage years ago and wanted to follow up on their experience.

The seeping seems minor right now, but I'm worried it could suddenly get worse while we're on the road. I had attached a picture similar to one I saw in an older forum post. Should I stop driving immediately and get it fixed? Or is some seeping normal and okay to monitor?

My main questions: Is minor hydroboost seeping immediately dangerous? Did Subford ever end up replacing their hydroboost? What does the replacement job involve? I want to be safe but also don't want to panic if this isn't urgent. …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 93 👍 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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Solar Batteries Hard 6-8 hours 91 👍 0

Complete Newmar RV Lithium Battery Upgrade: DC-DC Charger and BIM Wiring Guide

Staring at my 2019 Newmar's freshly wired lithium upgrade with Victron BVM-712, Orion XS DC-DC charger, and Cerbo GX — finished yesterday but the system still isn't charging properly.

The main issue is I can't figure out how to properly integrate my existing boost switch with the new DC-DC charger setup while maintaining the ability to trickle charge chassis batteries. Currently, my Orion XS DC-DC charger flows only one way from engine alternator to lithium batteries. Should I replace the existing BIM with a LI-BIM, which would be in series with the 2/0 cable? Is there a control wire on the Orion XS that will allow flow from lithium to chassis batteries while on shore/inverter power?

I'm considering adding a 120V battery tender for chassis batteries, but want to confirm what modifications might be needed to my existing BIM. Can someone provide guidance on the correct wiring approach? …more

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Electrical Easy 30-60 minutes for testing 83 👍 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

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Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes to check 80 👍 0

12V RV Refrigerator Power and Battery Charging While Towing: Complete

Woke up this morning realizing our new fifth wheel has a 12V refrigerator instead of propane, and we're picking it up next week for our big family camping trip. Over the years with my other RVs, I've always been confident that the house batteries would charge while driving since they're connected to the tow vehicle's charging system through the umbilical cord.

However, I keep reading concerning posts online about 12V refrigerators not staying cold during travel days because they supposedly drain the house batteries faster than the tow vehicle can charge them. This has me puzzled because I've never had charging issues while towing before. If the 12V fridge is running off the same house battery system that gets charged by my truck while driving, shouldn't the charging system be able to keep up with the fridge's power demands?

I'm trying to understand the actual power requirements of these 12V fridges and whether my tow vehicle's charging system through the 7-way connector will realistically be able to maintain the batteries and keep the fridge running properly during long travel days. What kind of amperage draw should I expect from a typical RV 12V refrigerator, and how can I verify that my charging system is working adequately while towing? …more

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Electrical Easy 1-2 hours 77 👍 0

How to Install Wireless Backup Camera on Towed Vehicle - RV Setup Guide for Safe Towing

Since I'm probably asking a dumb question here, but I'm completely lost on setting up the optimal wireless backup camera configuration for my specific towing setup. I have a 38-foot Class A motorhome that I use to tow my Jeep Gladiator, which has a fiberglass shell topper and a bike rack mounted on the receiver hitch. The bike rack creates a significant blind spot that makes it impossible to see what's happening behind my entire rig when I'm driving.

I'm considering mounting a wireless backup camera somewhere on the rear of the Gladiator to give me visibility past the bike rack and bikes. The challenge is that I need the wireless signal to transmit reliably from the back of the towed vehicle, through approximately 38 feet of motorhome length, to reach a monitor mounted on my dashboard. The signal would need to pass through the fiberglass rear cap of my motorhome and maintain a clear connection while we're traveling down the highway.

What's the best approach for this type of long-distance wireless camera setup? Should I mount the camera on top of the shell topper for maximum clearance over the bike rack, and what specifications should I look for in terms of transmission range and power options to ensure reliable operation? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 77 👍 0

How to Fix Parasitic Battery Drain in 2006 Damon Challenger RV: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

I found three different "experts" telling me three different causes for my 2006 Damon Challenger's parasitic battery drain - neighbor blames the converter, dealer says bad fuse, YouTube points to inverter. I've traced it to the instrument cluster fuse, and Thor doesn't have schematics for this model due to its age.

I'm not even sure if it's actually the instrument cluster itself or something connected to it - could it be the transmission temp sensor, engine temp sensor, or other wiring? I really don't want to damage anything expensive or create a safety hazard. What's the safest way to diagnose and fix this without causing more problems? I'd feel much better with a step-by-step approach that won't leave me stranded or worse. …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours for PCM replacement plus programming time 69 👍 0

1999 Itasca Sunflyer V10 Drivers Side Coil Bank PCM Issue

Pulled every trick in the book — replaced all five driver side ignition coils, swapped the PCM, checked every connection — my 1999 Itasca Sunflyer V10 still throws codes P0356, P0357, P0358, P0359, P0360. Running on 5 cylinders only.

Tested +12v at each coil connector - all good. Tested for ground pulse during cranking - nothing on drivers side, but passenger side coils pulse normally. No visible wiring damage found.

Does this testing confirm PCM failure in the ground switching circuit? Seems unlikely all 5 coils failed simultaneously. …more

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Engine Medium 45 minutes 67 👍 0

1995 Ford F53 460 Engine Stalling: How to Replace Ignition Control Module for RV Reliability

Woke up this morning hoping my 1995 F53 motorhome with the 460 7.5L would run smooth after replacing the ignition control module yesterday, but it's still stalling randomly. It keeps stalling every time I come to a stop - literally dies on me at around 5mph just as I'm braking. The power steering goes out and it's a real struggle to get stopped safely.

I can restart it immediately and it runs fine as long as I keep giving it gas, but this happens at EVERY stop sign and red light. Currently, it won't start at all - just cranks with no spark. I previously had an EGR code 334 that went away after replacing the EVR sensor.

My fuel pressure gauge was showing 30-32 psi at idle and about 40 psi at wide open throttle. When I tested the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator, no fuel spilled out and the pressure didn't change.

I've already replaced many parts (including distributor cap, plugs, wires, EGR valve, ICM, fuel pressure regulator) with only 2,000 miles on them. I discovered that swapping the ignition control module seems to temporarily fix the issue - it starts with a new ICM but dies when I return to the original one.

I'm really concerned about potential highway driving with these intermittent starting problems. Is this a common issue with these 460 engines? …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 days 64 👍 0

2014 Thor Challenger Engine Replacement: Complete Cost Guide & Best Options

Already embarrassed to ask this, but my 2014 Thor Challenger's V10 threw a rod in Florida - is replacing it as wallet-crushing as I think? Because apparently my RV has a sense of humor and perfect timing! 🙄

Now I'm staring down the barrel of an engine replacement and trying not to have my own mechanical failure when I see the potential costs. I've heard Jasper engines mentioned, but I'm honestly clueless about what I should expect to pay for a complete engine replacement on this beast.

Anyone been through this wallet-emptying adventure before? What's the realistic price range I'm looking at, and are there any engine brands or shops I should specifically consider (or run screaming from)? …more

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