Battery saga continues.

[HITodd]

Mine cane through with 1 40 amp auto reset breaker. I was having problems and contacted Lippert, I was told to put 2 40 amp auto reset breakers in the system. It looks like you have 2 auto reset wired, but it could be 1 is bad, or a bad connection. I bought 2 auto reset breakers from Jeg’s and wired up similar to what you have. Since I changed breakers, no problems.

[cmccuan]

All batteries should be the exact same age plugged in all at the same time. Research it.

[StageCoachDriver]

If these are 12V batteries, they should be connected in PARALLEL, not series. The link says they are 12V - "Duracell Ultra Deep Cycle Battery for Deep Cycle 12V RV"

[KevinNW]

What brand are you guys using! Thanks

[Mikendebbie]

Kids came for Christmas and all left this morning so we headed out.
Got to our site and unhitched with no problems except it was raining.
Hit “auto level” and nothing happened. Slide outs would not move.
Called lippert and the tech had me looking for a reset switch somewhere which I never found.
He directed me to try a keypad reset. Nothing worked.
I was preparing to figure out how to manually work the system with my drill gun and just go back home and a neighbor came over with a multi meter. He determined that we had power. We tried the keypad reset again and whatever we did worked.
Still not sure what happened.

Is this issue related to the stock black 40 amp breaker just behind the batteries that you guys have replaced with 80 amp breaker?
I still don’t know what reset button the lippert guy was trying to get me to locate.

[Montana Man]

Sounds like the breaker to me.

[MJohnston]

Nice clean set up!
Question, are those (3) 12V batteries? I'm having issues with my (2) 12V original batteries draining too quickly when running the furnace on a cold night while stopped for the night (dry camping). I was considering going to (4) 6v batteries but was not sure if all 4 would fit in the bay. It looks like your bay is the same size as mine. Do you know if that compartment will accommodate (4) 6V batteries?
Also, do you know if the original boxes that the batteries come in with the vented pipe is necessary? Removing these would make more room.

Just trying to get more usage out of the batteries before they die. Right now, it seems like one night will completely drain the two 12V batteries.

Thanks!
Michael

[mazboy]

MJ. you added your issue to this thread but, using the furnance a lot will kill your batteries, that simple.


as for 3 batteries? 4 batteries? just depends on what you are going to do. Full time dry camping? solar? 2-12 or 6 volt batteries USUALLY work will for most RVers.



and, all batteries need venting.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by MJohnston

Nice clean set up!
Question, are those (3) 12V batteries? I'm having issues with my (2) 12V original batteries draining too quickly when running the furnace on a cold night while stopped for the night (dry camping). I was considering going to (4) 6v batteries but was not sure if all 4 would fit in the bay. It looks like your bay is the same size as mine. Do you know if that compartment will accommodate (4) 6V batteries?
Also, do you know if the original boxes that the batteries come in with the vented pipe is necessary? Removing these would make more room.

Just trying to get more usage out of the batteries before they die. Right now, it seems like one night will completely drain the two 12V batteries.

Thanks!
Michael

Take a look at the Olympian Wave series heaters. They use no electrical power and are way more efficient than the regular heater. I have a trailer we boondock in often. I completely removed the old noise maker (heater) and installed the wave 6. No noise, no battery drain, no fluctuating temperature, and uses way less LP. And, we use one cheapo 12v battery to run the lights and tv.

It was way cheaper than building an electrical system nightmare.

[jetskier]

I bought the 100A version of the breaker. I tried the 80 and it would still trip especially when the hydraulic fluid was cold. I haven't had any issues with the 100 yet.

[jcurtis934]

After replacing the two undersized wires for proper cables, you can just short out the two terminals on the bimetallic breaker (the one with the power cable going up to the hydraulic pump assy) and then try the slides. This will tell you if that part is defective or not.

[paulinbaja]

If they are like the ones pictured you NEED to get much larger wires between the two batteries. At least #8 if you draw 80 amps for more than a moment those #12's won't suport their share of the load.

[lkennerly]

This morning the battery was dead, and the slides would not work on shore power. Is that due to the dead battery? The lights were on and the refrigerator was working on electricity.

[mpgarcia]

Great diagram ChuckS! Absolutely correct. I redid the cables in my rig only because the dealer was trying to save wire and routing was terrible. I went to Ace hardware and bought battery cable off the spool and installed my own ends so that I could route and properly clamp wires neatly. I retired from Verizon as a system tech. I take great pride in neat cable runs, plus it makes it a lot easier to work on in the future

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by lkennerly

This morning the battery was dead, and the slides would not work on shore power. Is that due to the dead battery? The lights were on and the refrigerator was working on electricity.

The slides have to run on battery power, plugged in won't help if the battery is dead . Everything else on 12 volt will run if plugged in.

Not sure why this is, a friend went thru this also, I believe his landing gear would not work either plugged in with a dead battery

[lkennerly]

At home w/ new battery and plugged in (40degs outside) the hydraulic slide kept stopping after 2-8". We would wait at least 10-15 sec., then try again just to move another few inches. We got to our campsite with the same results opening the slide. The outside temp. was 63, but the trailer was still cold from the home temps. When we left after 3 days of 60-70 degrees the slide worked perfectly. Could there be a relay switch that trips under resistance caused by the cold hydraulic fluid?

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by lkennerly

At home w/ new battery and plugged in (40degs outside) the hydraulic slide kept stopping after 2-8". We would wait at least 10-15 sec., then try again just to move another few inches. We got to our campsite with the same results opening the slide. The outside temp. was 63, but the trailer was still cold from the home temps. When we left after 3 days of 60-70 degrees the slide worked perfectly. Could there be a relay switch that trips under resistance caused by the cold hydraulic fluid?

I had that issue with my landing gear , it would blow the fuse, and finally put a stronger fuse, and that solved that.It was not a breaker that reset.

It sounds like you got a breaker that resets after a few seconds, maybe a weak breaker, or like you say resistance from cold hydraulics or a little of both. Might try a new breaker. Worth a try.

I have run my slides in a lot colder temperatures then 40 degrees with no issues.I'm thinking a weak breaker .

[lkennerly]

We have a 3160RL and I know there is a fuse, but I am not sure where the breaker would be?

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by lkennerly

We have a 3160RL and I know there is a fuse, but I am not sure where the breaker would be?

The breaker is on the back wall behind, and below the hydraulic motor on mine, trace the power lead on your hydraulic motor , and you will see where it is connected ,and should have a red cover over it, thats the breaker. At least on mine thats where its at. Shouldn't be much different with yours .

[PSFORD99]

If you look at the pictures posted on this thread you will see some electrical connections, and the red plastic cover over them, that what mine look like that are covering the breaker. There are also those red fuse holders in the pictures ,its not them. They are replaceable fuses in those holders .