Battery saga continues. - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

ChuckS · 12-20-2018, 10:05 AM

Fuse will not work.. must be resettable breaker

waynemoore · 12-20-2018, 10:05 AM

2X what ChuckS said.

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 10:09 AM

My truck is in service about to get picked up to get it. I did hook up my multimeter and the battery hooked up as in last picture read 13.5. When I started the slide it went to 13.3, 13.1 then the breaker popped. upon reboot of the in command system the multimeter read 13.4, 13.5. the in command app read 11.9. so I think the batteries are fine then...right...?

so im back to the new 80amp breaker and cables which im going to do as soon as I pick up my truck !

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 10:13 AM

I really appreciate all the help and feedback you guys have given me. My last trailer only had 1 battery and I never had a issue. CW in Meridian Idaho wired these up this way, I do my best to not mess with any electrical !!! im not a fan.

I will get the cables and the 1 new breaker and replace all of that today ASAP !!!

Thank you again !!

**Carl n Susan** · 12-20-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last2Die

<snip>
...I did change over the positive to the other battery and tried it, it didn't work upon reset of the system again battery percentage was 11.3...
</snip>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last2Die

<snip>
...I did hook up my multimeter and the battery hooked up as in last picture read 13.5. When I started the slide it went to 13.3, 13.1 then the breaker popped. upon reboot of the in command system the multimeter read 13.4, 13.5. the in command app read 11.9. so I think the batteries are fine then...right...?
<snip>

I concur with all the previous ideas (cables too small, breaker bad, shore power overcomes weak breaker, etc.). But my simple brain is still confused. These are new batteries and normally batteries come pretty much fully charged. When plugged into shore power or even the running truck I would expect 13+ volt readings. But the 11.3 (basically dead) and 13.9 (well discharged) readings bother me. New batteries should be around 12.3 - 12.6.

Is it possible the battery disconnect switch is in the wrong position (where the key can be removed)? That disconnects the battery from the charging system, but not the hydraulic pump motor, thereby negating the effects of a 7 hour charge.

What is the voltage at the batteries, measured with a voltmeter, after the shore power and truck have been disconnected for at least 15 minutes?

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 11:17 AM

Would the battery disconnect effect the ability to turn on and off the lights?

Theunz · 12-20-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Would the battery disconnect effect the ability to turn on and off the lights?

If shore power is disconnected, than yes.

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theunz

If shore power is disconnected, than yes.

Ok then I’m able to turn on and off the lights with shore power disconnected.

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 12:24 PM

UPDATE!!!

I put in the 80amp breaker. Installed the larger battery cables. Turned it all on connected to on command on my phone. Put the hydraulic slides out then back in no problems !! VDC displayed on the In Command system is 12.9. Dropped to 12.5 when the slides were operating.

I think we did it !! Wahoo !!!!

Thank you again for everyone’s help !!!

**Carl n Susan** · 12-20-2018, 01:37 PM

Yipee!!!!!

ChuckS · 12-20-2018, 02:10 PM

Nice rewire work and now that your two batteries are correctly wired in parallel with larger cable and new 80 amp breaker you shouldn’t have any further issues.

Be sure to keep the gear packs on those hyd slide outs clean and lube with gray graphite spray lube.

Nice job

Last2Die · 12-20-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Nice rewire work and now that your two batteries are correctly wired in parallel with larger cable and new 80 amp breaker you shouldn’t have any further issues.

Be sure to keep the gear packs on those hyd slide outs clean and lube with gray graphite spray lube.

Nice job

Gear Packs

don't even know where those would be aside from attached to the slide somewhere maybe underneath or the sides...

man I wish the dealer did a better walk through...... google is my friend time to figure this out now !!

Montana Man · 12-20-2018, 05:09 PM

Good job and thanks for the update. Next thing you know, you'll be showing others how to do it!

Texan · 12-21-2018, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Gear Packs

don't even know where those would be aside from attached to the slide somewhere maybe underneath or the sides...

man I wish the dealer did a better walk through...... google is my friend time to figure this out now !!

I agree that Google makes us all smarter than we really are. Between Google and this forum I have learned a lot about my rv and am still learning. Glad you fixed your problem.

mazboy · 12-21-2018, 07:28 AM

while you get the new gauge cables, just try the one battery. if it worked before I am thinking that has nothing to do with the relay. something else is occurring.

Montana Man · 12-21-2018, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazboy

while you get the new gauge cables, just try the one battery. if it worked before I am thinking that has nothing to do with the relay. something else is occurring.

It is fixed. Read a few posts ago.

mjammersc · 12-21-2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last2Die

UPDATE!!!

I put in the 80amp breaker. Installed the larger battery cables. Turned it all on connected to on command on my phone. Put the hydraulic slides out then back in no problems !! VDC displayed on the In Command system is 12.9. Dropped to 12.5 when the slides were operating.

I think we did it !! Wahoo !!!!

Thank you again for everyone’s help !!!

Glad it all worked out and that batteries are healthy still. Good luck, safe travels, and don't be afraid to ask any other questions on here.

**scottz** · 12-21-2018, 08:18 PM

Glad you got it fixed; the advice on bigger cables and breaker were correct. One note, if it is cold where you are, the hydraulic system will draw more current and trip the breaker easier. In real cold weather, mine will occaisionally trip the 80A breaker.

Here is a photo of my batteries so you can see the size cables I went with. You can see the breaker on the back wall.

Good job fixing it.

Texan · 12-22-2018, 12:11 AM

2 gauge is the very minimum needed and some have gone with 1-0 or larger. In very cold weather you can put a lot of strain on the wires when having to pull in the slides and jacks. Larger is better.

**scottz** · 12-22-2018, 12:04 PM

The cables in my photo are 2/0 (00); one size larger than 1/0 (0). Not a requirement, just the cables and connectors I had on hand.

In post 14, the cables going to the coach look to be about 8awg, maybe 6awg. The ones interconnecting the batteries are about 12awg. Here is a table showing the size difference.

You may also like: