Battery Charging from TV

[bingle]

Does anyone have a idea of a easy way to check and see if the TV is charging the Batteries on the Monty. I have a 2016 3791RD and after leaving the campground (With Electric) I drove home approx. 2.5 hrs while running Residential frig. on inverter. Once home frig ran about 45 minutes without truck running. I unhitched, Leveled, and extended 5 slides. Battery indicator showed I had 2/3 battery remaining. I have 2 new 12v DC batteries. Just wouldn't have thought it would have used this much battery. Not sure which pin on connector feeds the Charger.

[psomers]

Pin 4 is 12 volts from TV. My TV didn't have this wire connected but was taped up next to connector. Had to connect to get 12 Volts.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Real simple way to find out without needing a meter or figure out what wire feeds anything. With your 7 pin connector plugged into to your TV and the engine running, open the door for your leveling system. Scroll down to see the voltage. If the voltage increases, you're charging. Easy Peasy.

[Sohio]

I bought one of these to check my wiring out, very easy to use. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mtheo]

I would think you could check your trailer voltage level, with TV disconnected, then check after you connect TV, with TV running, should go up to full.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Just an extra thought. I have the exact same year and model RV. If you are hooking up, you already need to be at the controls for your leveling system. Just read the voltage. Don't need to buy anything and don't need to go in and out of the RV to look at red lights on your control panel.
No disrespect to previous posters but the OP asked for an "easy way" and since I have the same RV, this is the easiest way.
Again JMHO.

[bingle]

Thanks Everybody!, Jerry I forgot about seeing the voltage on the LCI screen, that will make it easy.

[kdeiss]

Just a side note:I had to add a fuse in the fuse box for the charging line on my GMC.Was in the glove box with instructions now that was in 2002!

[mjammersc]

One item to remember is just because the TV is providing charge to the battery doesn't mean you aren't drawing more than it is providing. I don't know the exact spec on the fridge draw but guess it is ~7-8A AC which equates to ~70-80A DC. The TV will probably not be charging the batteries/providing power at that rate, especially through the smaller DC wiring in the hitch cables (80A across 20' would need ~2 GA wire for proper sizing). If the fridge was well chilled, it would only cycle ~25% of the time (that's the typical # I see discussed at least) which lowers the draw. The other item to check is the real state of charge of your batteries using a hydrometer or even measuring them with a voltmeter after it has been charged. The power centers on these units have decent chargers but are far from ideal. Lastly, the lights at the control panel saying state of charge are a real rough guess. Use the leveling voltage as people have discussed and it will be a good representation with and without the TV. For reference, a full battery is ~12.7-12.8V, 80% is ~12.5V, 60% is 12.2-12.3V and 50% is ~12.1V (you should try to not go below 50% if it is lead acid batteries to help with longevity)

[speedster100]

the fuses on that feed on the newwer Chev & GMC's are prone to blowing if you hook up your truck and are still hooked into shore power. Don't ask me why but I've change a few of them, I check it regularly now using the LCI on the trailer while hooked up to TV....

[mhs4771]

The newer Res Fridges are very Energy Efficient and draw only approx 10 to 12 amps from the batteries, provided you have a good Inverter.
More and likey the drop in Battery Voltage was the result of running the Hydraulic Pump to Level and put out Slides. That pump can draw upwards to 80 amps and will pull the batteries down pretty quick.