Results for "battery isolator"

Electrical Medium 2-6 hours 231 👍 1

ECM Low Battery Warning RV: Complete Diagnosis & Fix Guide

During a family trip, my 2005 Fleetwood Discovery 39S threw code 168-1 for low ECM battery voltage and went into full shutdown mode—is this dangerous with kids onboard? Engine cut out, transmission selector went dark, ABS warnings everywhere - the whole nine yards. Scared the heck out of me when it happened on the interstate!

I'm seeing this seems to be a thing with these diesel pushers, but I'm drowning in conflicting info online. Some say it's the chassis battery, others blame alternator issues, and I've even seen posts about ECM power supply problems on the Caterpillar engines. What's the actual step-by-step process to track this down? And more importantly, how do I fix it so it doesn't leave me stranded again? Really need a complete walkthrough of what causes this code and the proper repair approach. …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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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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Electrical Hard 4-6 hours 89 👍 0

RV Alternator to Lithium Battery Charging: Complete DC-DC Wiring Guide for Safe Installation

Last week I picked up my 2007 Holiday Rambler and discovered the previous owner left the alternator-to-battery charging system a dangerous wiring disaster that could destroy my new lithium batteries.

I'm upgrading from four 6V lead-acid house batteries to lithium, and I keep reading conflicting advice about alternator charging. Some people say "just connect it directly," others are warning about alternator damage and proper current limiting. I'm planning to add a DC-to-DC charger eventually, but I'm confused about whether I can safely use the alternator to charge lithium batteries in the meantime.

What's the right way to handle alternator charging with lithium batteries? Should I disconnect the alternator feed completely until I get a proper charging system, or is there a safe way to make this work without turning my alternator into an expensive paperweight? …more

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Solar Batteries Easy Informational 85 👍 0

RV AGM Battery Installation Cost Guide 2024 - Complete Price Breakdown for RV Owners

Spent three hours researching and my neighbor swears AGM batteries work fine for my Renegade Valencia, the dealer's pushing a $6000 lithium package, but YouTube reviewers are completely split. Since we'll be using it in cold weather below 32F, particularly in Alaska, AGM seems like the better choice anyway.

Planning to have the dealer install 2 large AGM batteries on the opposite side of the coach where the stock battery is located. Need a realistic cost breakdown before I talk to them - what should I expect to pay for quality AGM batteries, installation labor, and any additional wiring/parts needed?

I'm estimating $1500-1800 for everything. Want to know if this is actually a better value than the expensive factory lithium option, especially when purchasing and installing in the lower 48 before bringing the RV to Alaska. …more

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Appliances Easy 10 minutes 84 👍 0

Complete Guide to RV Control Panel Lights and Display Meanings

Dashboard has about 15 different indicator lights and half of them just came on after hooking up at a new campground. Some I recognize from the manual but a few aren't even documented. Need to understand what each light and display reading actually means before I start troubleshooting. …more

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Engine Easy 1 hour sourcing 81 👍 0

Where to Buy Onan Generator Rubber Isolator Mounts: Complete Sourcing

Got caught in all that rain last week and now my 2008 Jayco Melbourne 29D's Onan 4000 generator rubber isolator mount has completely split and separated. I've tried the usual RV parts sites, checked with local shops, and even called a few places - either they don't carry them or they're backordered for weeks.

I really need to get this fixed before my next camping trip. The generator is already pulled out so it's the perfect time to replace these mounts, but I just can't seem to locate the right parts anywhere. I'm willing to try generic mounts if I can figure out the right measurements, but I'd prefer OEM if possible.

Does anyone know reliable sources where I can actually find these isolator mounts? I'm running out of options here and getting pretty frustrated with the whole situation. …more

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Electrical Medium 4-6 hours for complete installation 81 👍 0

F53 Triton V10 High Output Alternator Upgrade - 250A Install

Before I drop $800 on having a shop install a 250A high output alternator on my mid-2000s F53 Triton V10, wondering if this is something I can DIY without breaking anything. I need to upgrade from the stock alternator to handle a large inverter battery bank, and I'm looking at high-output units in the 250A range.

I found this Tucson alternator that puts out 190A at idle for under $500, but I'm worried about whether the existing wiring and belt system can handle it safely. Could I damage the engine or electrical system if I just swap it in? What upgrades would I absolutely need to do this safely?

I've worked with high-output alternators on boats before, but RV chassis systems seem different and I don't want to create a fire hazard or burn out expensive components. Has anyone successfully done this upgrade without major issues? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 81 👍 0

How to Use DC/DC Charger for RV Chassis Battery Winter Storage Maintenance Guide

Leaving the RV in storage for five months over winter and worried about the chassis battery dying again. Last year I came back to a completely dead battery and had to get a jump. Looking into DC/DC chargers connected to a trickle charger setup but not sure about the wiring. …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 Medium 2-3 hours 77 👍 0

No Power to Ignition Switch on 1998 Fleetwood Bounder: Ford Chassis Electrical Troubleshooting Guide

My 1998 Fleetwood Bounder's dashboard is sitting here completely dead with zero power reaching the ignition switch at all. The ignition switch isn't getting any power from the battery, even though I've already checked all the fuses and relays and they seem fine.

I'm still pretty new to RV electrical systems and not sure where to look next. Should I be checking somewhere between the battery and the ignition switch? I don't want to start poking around randomly and make things worse. What are the most likely culprits when you have this kind of power issue? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 77 👍 0

How to Convert RV from Lead Acid to Lithium Batteries - Step-by-Step Guide

Despite having perfectly fine lead acid batteries yesterday, it's 11 PM and my RV's two 6v deep cycle batteries just died completely — need to swap them for LiFePO4 lithium before we head out tomorrow morning. Since they're similarly priced, I'm looking to upgrade, but need guidance on system modifications.

Specifically need info on: converter voltage requirements, solar controller settings, inverter cutoff adjustments, and whether I need additional battery management components.

What are the key steps to convert successfully? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2 hours 76 👍 0

Ford E350 RV 20 Amp Charging Limit: DC-DC Charger Solution for LiFePO4

Noticed the Ford manual shows standard charging rates for my E350, but after upgrading to LiFePO4 batteries I'm only getting 20 amps max. Expected to see crazy high charging rates when I first tested it, but nope - stuck at exactly 20 amps whether I'm idling or revving to 2500 rpm.

I ended up installing a DC-DC charger anyway (heard too many horror stories about frying alternators), but I'm still curious - is there something from the factory that's limiting me to 20 amps? Like maybe Ford built in some kind of isolator or something to keep the original lead-acid batteries happy? Just seems weird that it's such a consistent number regardless of RPM. …more

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Electrical Hard Professional installation 74 👍 0

How to Fix Firefly Battery and Victron System Conflicts in Your RV

Wondering if anyone else has dealt with a rental RV where the Firefly batteries and Victron system are constantly throwing conflicts I've never seen before. I have a 2020 Discovery LXE 40M that I've equipped with a complete Victron system - two Multiplus II inverters, Cerbo GX, and SOK lithium batteries. The problem is my coach's existing Firefly system is creating constant conflicts with the Victron equipment.

The AC units keep getting "shed" by Firefly, I'm getting random low voltage warnings even when my batteries are full, and my Auto Gen Start has completely stopped working. I've heard this might be related to waveform differences between the systems, but I'm not sure what that means or how to fix it.

I've seen some mentions of using dual transfer switches to isolate the systems, but I have no idea how that would work or if it would solve my Auto Gen Start issues. Has anyone actually resolved this Firefly-Victron nightmare? I really don't want to rip out thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but I need my RV systems to work properly! …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours research and installation 73 👍 0

Lithium Battery Upgrade for 2018 Georgetown RV - Safe?

Thinking about upgrading my 2018 Georgetown from lead acid to lithium batteries but worried about compatibility with the existing converter and charging system. Don't want to spend $2,000 on batteries only to find out I need another $1,500 in electrical upgrades to make them work. …more

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