battery charging questions from a newbie ....

[terry_nj]

Hi all ...

I'm new to this forum ...
I own a 2011 Jayco Sport Popup (8 feet) ... we call it "Pop-Tart"
it has a 7 pin connector to the tow vehicle ...
my understanding one of the connectors is to provide
a charging current to Pop-Tart

I have a few questions about battery charging:

1. is the battery supposed to charge when Pop-Tart is connected to "shore power",
or am I supposed to charge it with a separate charger (which itself could
be plugged into the shore power)?

2. is Pop-Tart's battery supposed to be charged from the towing vehicle
(which in my case is a Toyota Highlander) while towing is in progress?

thanks for your help ...

Terry

[Threebutchers]

The answer to both of your questions should be "yes"

.....however, you should perform a simple check to make sure Pop-Tart and your Travel Vehicle (let's call him "Toaster") were set up properly.

When Pop-Tart is connected to the Toaster (with the engine running), take a voltmeter and check the battery voltage on the Pop-Tart. It should be elevated from its normal voltage 12-13 VDC to 13.5 - 13.7 VDC.

Likewise, plug Pop Tart into the Shore Power (Lets call it "Microwave") and you should get similar voltage readings on Pop-Tarts battery.

So - whether you Microwave or Toaster your Pop-Tart....you should get the same results [ATTACH][/ATTACH]

WELCOME TO JOF!!!!!

[oobedoob]

This thread is making me hungry.

[norty1]

Never heard that analogy. It is ripe for abuse but I will pass.

[terry_nj]

Thanks for the pointer Threebutchers ...
the toaster (car) seems to raise the voltage level across Pop-Tart's battery terminals,
but the microwave (house outlet) doesn't ...

Terry

[Threebutchers]

hmmmm....

if you're confident shore power is not raising the voltage at the battery (while Travel Vehicle connection does), you may have a bad converter - OR - you (possibly) have a blown reverse polarity fuse in the converter. Can you check the converter fuses?

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Threebutchers

The answer to both of your questions should be "yes"

.....however, you should perform a simple check to make sure Pop-Tart and your Travel Vehicle (let's call him "Toaster") were set up properly.

When Pop-Tart is connected to the Toaster (with the engine running), take a voltmeter and check the battery voltage on the Pop-Tart. It should be elevated from its normal voltage 12-13 VDC to 13.5 - 13.7 VDC.

Likewise, plug Pop Tart into the Shore Power (Lets call it "Microwave") and you should get similar voltage readings on Pop-Tarts battery.

So - whether you Microwave or Toaster your Pop-Tart....you should get the same results [ATTACH][/ATTACH]

WELCOME TO JOF!!!!!

Thanks for the laugh, enjoyed reading this lol

FYI,
Your converter will be near your distribution center that has fuses.
Mine looked like a 6" x 10" box with metal case. Your battery wires come into the back of it.
The main fuse or fuses on mine are located in the back.
If they don't pull out with reasonable force, they may have a screw you need to loosen 1st

Doug