Results for "surge-protector"

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 Easy 30 minutes 92 👍 0

RV Whirlpool Refrigerator Cycling Every 30 Minutes: Is It Normal? [202

Looked everywhere for answers on my Whirlpool residential refrigerator cycling every 30 minutes—my neighbor says it's normal, RV dealer says it's broken, YouTube says something else entirely. The ambient temperature here is around 65°F, and I have both the fridge and freezer set to the 3rd snowflake setting.

I haven't timed it exactly with a stopwatch, but I keep noticing it kicking on again after what feels like a short time. I'm concerned this frequent cycling might be a sign of a problem or could lead to premature failure. I try to keep the vents clean when I can access them. Should I be worried about this 30-minute cycle pattern, or is this within normal range for an RV refrigerator in these conditions? …more

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Electrical Hard 2-4 hours 88 👍 0

RV Automatic Transfer Switch Dead - AC Power Troubleshooting & Repair

Every time I flip the breaker, my 21-year-old coach's automatic transfer switch stays completely dead and I'm stuck with zero AC power. My Automated Engineering Corp ATS (model M10040A with M10041 display) is showing no AC on the LED readout even though shore power is definitely good.

I popped the cover off and confirmed power is getting TO the shore power terminals, but nothing's coming OUT to feed the AC system. Even manually pushed the contacts in and they stayed, but still no juice on the output side. Generator won't make it switch over either - it's like the whole transfer function is dead.

This thing has to be repairable right? Or am I looking at replacing the whole ATS unit? Really hoping someone has dealt with this before because losing AC in an RV is no joke! …more

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Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 85 👍 0

Surge Guard 40250-RVC vs 40350-RVC Transfer Switch: Complete Comparison Guide

This 8-year-old transfer switch is getting sluggish during power transfers — worth repairing or should I just upgrade to a newer Surge Guard model? I currently have a Surge Guard 40250-RVC in my 2013 motorhome, but I'm having trouble finding that exact model for replacement. All I can seem to find available is the 40350-RVC model.

My current unit has started making a buzzing sound when connected to shore power. Everything still seems to work fine, but I've heard this might indicate the contacts are starting to fail. I'd rather replace it before it completely goes out and leaves me without power.

Can anyone tell me if the 40250-RVC and 40350-RVC are interchangeable? And should I be concerned about the buzzing, or is there anything I can check before replacing the whole unit? …more

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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

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Engine Easy N/A 79 👍 0

Is It Safe to Sleep with Your RV Generator Running? Safety Guide 2024

This is 11 PM and my wife is sweating bullets in our RV — need to know if running our generator overnight is safe before we both melt. We have a 2023 Class C RV and my wife really needs the A/C running at night to sleep comfortably. I know our RV has a carbon monoxide detector installed, but I'm honestly not sure if that's enough protection.

I've heard mixed things about running generators while sleeping - some people seem to do it regularly while others say it's dangerous. What safety precautions should I be taking if we do this? Should I be worried about which windows are open or wind direction? I want to make sure we're being as safe as possible but also want my wife to be comfortable. Any guidance from more experienced RVers would be really appreciated! …more

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General Easy N/A - informational 76 👍 0

Class A vs Super C Motorhome: Complete Comparison Guide 2024

Before I commit to my next RV purchase, I'm trying to decide between a Class A and Super C motorhome after our recent 2+ week, 3K mile trip through PA-OH-KY-NC-VA and back to CT. We have never seen more Super C's. They used to be a bit of a unicorn. This trip, multiples each day and a 1 or 2 at almost every campground.

A friend says it's the more dependable Freightliner drivetrain. If we were to make the swap from a 5th wheel (not likely), it would probably be a Super C. I'm trying to understand why the market seems to be shifting.

I'm looking to understand the technical advantages: Are Super C's really more reliable because of the commercial truck chassis? Is the Freightliner drivetrain genuinely better than traditional motorhome platforms?

Anyone care to share their opinions and experiences with Super C versus Class A motorhomes? …more

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Slideouts Hard 2-4 hours 75 👍 0

Schwintek Slide Out Only Goes One Direction: Complete Troubleshooting

Between the $800 repair quote and my Schwintek slide that only goes one direction, I'm seriously considering tackling this fix myself. Got a Schwintek slide that's being a total pain - it only moves in one direction no matter what I do.

Here's the kicker: I've already swapped out both motors, got a brand new controller, even ran fresh wiring. Still doing the same thing! When I reverse the RET and EXT wires at the controller, it'll go the other direction but then won't come back. Consistently got error #8 when I tried the override.

I ran a jumper to motor #2, tried motor #1, checked fuses, replaced the RET wire connector, and still nothing. I disengaged both motors, manually pushed the slide in and measured both sides to confirm it was even. The motors work, the slide moves fine mechanically, but something's not letting it reverse properly.

I'm thinking it's gotta be something with the wiring or maybe the control module isn't actually switching polarity like it should? Anyone dealt with this before? What causes a slide to only go one way when all the hardware seems good? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 74 👍 0

How to Locate Your Intellitec BD-0 Disconnect Switch Latching Relay in Your RV

Last month what seemed like a simple electrical hiccup in my 2005 Ford E450 Isata 250SL has spiraled into a complete system meltdown. My Intellitec BD-0 disconnect switch isn't working properly and I suspect the latching relay might be the culprit, but I'm honestly afraid I'm going to damage something if I start poking around blindly.

I've been searching everywhere but I just cannot locate this latching relay! I don't want to accidentally disconnect the wrong thing or cause any electrical damage to my coach batteries. Where exactly should I be looking for this relay? I'm being very cautious because I know RV electrical systems can be dangerous if you mess with the wrong components. …more

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Electrical Easy 30-60 minutes 71 👍 0

1997 Fleetwood Flair No Power Issues: Complete RV Troubleshooting Guide

Already replaced my 1997 Fleetwood Flair's converter yesterday but something still doesn't seem right — battery shows proper voltage but absolutely zero power to any systems. All lights, pumps, and electrical components are completely dead.

I've verified the battery condition multiple times, so I know that's not the issue. What are the most common causes when you have a good battery but zero power output to the RV systems? I need to systematically check the electrical system but want to focus on the most likely culprits first.

Looking for specific troubleshooting steps to diagnose where the power is being interrupted between a good battery and the rest of the electrical system. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 70 👍 0

AGM Battery Won't Charge After RV Power Surge: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Wondering what tools and steps I should line up for tackling my dead AGM battery this Saturday after last week's power surge hit? Last week we stayed at a campground with terrible electrical issues - the voltage was jumping all over the place throughout our stay. Ever since then, my AGM batteries refuse to charge properly. They'll only get up to about 12.2V when they should be hitting 13.6V for a full charge.

I've been troubleshooting this for days and I'm honestly not sure if the batteries are ruined or if something else got damaged during those power fluctuations. The 120V side of things seems to be working fine, but clearly something is wrong with the charging system. Could the converter or charge controller have been damaged? How do I even test for that?

I really don't want to replace these expensive AGM batteries if they're not actually the problem. Has anyone dealt with charging issues after voltage fluctuations like this? What should I be checking first? …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Electrical Hard 4-6 hours 68 👍 0

How to Wire 12V DC RV Air Conditioner: Complete Dual Power Setup and Safety Guide

Around day three of running my 12V DC air conditioner, my RV's battery bank is getting absolutely demolished way faster than it should. I'm replacing my dead 110V AC unit with a 12V DC air conditioner that draws up to 52A on turbo mode. My plan uses an AC to DC 12V 125A 1500W power supply for shore power, and house batteries as backup power.

I'm particularly worried about my 20A changeover switch - is that going to handle the load safely? What about wire sizing and fusing? I know I need proper isolation between the two power sources but I'm scared I'm missing something critical. Can someone please review if this dual power approach is even safe, and what I absolutely need to fix before connecting anything? …more

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Appliances Medium 2-4 hours 68 👍 0

Lippert 10540 Controller Replacement: Complete Guide & Alternatives for RV Owners

Nobody warned me that my Lippert 10540 controller would go rogue and start randomly cycling through all the slide positions without me touching anything. My 2006 Damon Tuscany's Lippert 10540 controller has officially given up the ghost, and of course it's been discontinued because why would anything in RV life be simple, right?

I'm staring at this dead piece of technology wondering if I'm supposed to perform some sort of RV séance to bring it back to life, or if there are actually some real-world solutions out there. Are there compatible aftermarket controllers that won't cost me my firstborn? Can I upgrade to something newer that'll actually work with my ancient leveling system? I'm even desperate enough to consider salvage yard hunting at this point - because nothing says "living the dream" like dumpster diving for RV parts!

Anyone else survived this particular brand of RV karma and lived to tell the tale? …more

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General Hard 4-6 hours tank drop, or professional diagnosis 67 👍 0

1989 Ford Tioga 460 EFI Won't Start After Dead Battery Jump

Looked everywhere online but still trying to decide between a fuel pump issue or ECM problem for my 1989 Ford Tioga 460 EFI that won't start after jumping the dead battery. The RV ran smoothly for weeks until I had to jump-start it after leaving lights on overnight. After the jump, the engine fired but immediately died - completely different behavior than its previous reliable starts.

The engine will only stay running when fuel is manually added to the intake, suggesting a fuel delivery problem. Prior to this incident, the fuel system worked flawlessly. The timing correlation between the dead battery jump-start and the fuel system failure seems significant.

What are the most likely causes when a 460 EFI system loses fuel delivery immediately after a battery jump? Could the jump-start procedure have damaged fuel system components, and what should I check first in the fuel pressure circuit? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 1 hour to set up 63 👍 0

CPAP Machine Shutting Down RV Inverter: Solutions for Boondocking

Somewhere between my toolbox and my coffee, I'm determined to solve why my CPAP machine keeps shutting down my RV inverter every single night. I have a 2023 Entegra Vision 27a with 2 AGM batteries that show 12.6v at rest, which I think is good? My CPAP has a humidifier and heated hose, and every night the inverter shuts down before morning, leaving me without a full night's sleep.

I'm not sure if this is happening because my batteries can't handle the power draw, or if there's something wrong with my inverter setup. The CPAP seems to use quite a bit of power with all the features running. I do have a 12v auxiliary power cord for the CPAP but no DC outlets installed in my coach.

Would adding a 12v DC outlet and running the CPAP directly off the batteries help solve this shutdown issue? Or am I missing something else entirely? Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more

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