Battery life

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I did some more testing and I found my problem!

When I plug into the truck (in the bed) I was only getting 12.8-12.95 volts (at the trailer batteries) But, when I plugged into the 7 way at the bumper, 13.65 volts!

So, looking at the wiring from the bumper to the bed revealed smaller gauge wiring causing my loss of voltage to the trailer. (I think)

So next trip I’m going to plug into the bumper 7 way and see how it goes.

Tom, just did some testing myself:

On shore power: 14.4 volts
Plugged into TV in the bed at idle without fridge on: 13.5 volts
Plugged into TV in the bed at idle with fridge on: a steady 12.6 volts

I didn't try the bumper plug, wish I would have. Is the wire from the pin box long enough while turning to have it plugged into the bumper?

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Tom, just did some testing myself:



On shore power: 14.4 volts

Plugged into TV in the bed at idle without fridge on: 13.5 volts

Plugged into TV in the bed at idle with fridge on: a steady 12.6 volts



I didn't try the bumper plug, wish I would have. Is the wire from the pin box long enough while turning to have it plugged into the bumper?

Looking at your numbers with fridge on at 12.6 V would seem to me that your batteries wouldn’t get charged while you were towing...just like mine.

Yes, the cord is long enough to be plugged into the bumper instead of in the bed.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Looking at your numbers with fridge on at 12.6 V would seem to me that your batteries wouldn’t get charged while you were towing...just like mine.

Yes, the cord is long enough to be plugged into the bumper instead of in the bed.

I guess I need to check the volts after traveling for 5 or so hours BEFORE plugging into shore power and see what it reads.

[Cannon]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I did some more testing and I found my problem!

When I plug into the truck (in the bed) I was only getting 12.8-12.95 volts (at the trailer batteries) But, when I plugged into the 7 way at the bumper, 13.65 volts!

So, looking at the wiring from the bumper to the bed revealed smaller gauge wiring causing my loss of voltage to the trailer. (I think)

So next trip I’m going to plug into the bumper 7 way and see how it goes.

Interesting find. I will see what mine looks like when I get it back from the shop.

[2naEagle]

I checked the readings at the Xantrex.
Trailer not plugged into shore power.

Refrigerator running
Input Voltage 12.3
Input Current 10
Output Power 0.11

I put it into a manual defrost

Input Voltage 11.8
Input Current 48
Output Power 0.50

I'm also going to do some of that 7 way checking.

[2naEagle]

I get basically the same readings in bed or bumper.

With refrigerator OFF and tailer plugged in.
13.2 at the battery and 13.7 at the truck

Unplug the trailer and I get 14 at both 7 ways.

[Dskyward]

As promised, Tom, I did my inspection this morning upon leaving and at the LCI controller, no shore pwr- it read 12.5v, w/1800 watt Xantrex inverter on, fridge on. Usually isn’t that low after 3 days on Shore power(avg 12.9v). I’ve got 3 12v house batteries, 2 Mighty Bruin group 24s (from dealer) and I added 1 EverStart Marine/RV group 27 from Walmart.

With truck idling, I connected to bed 7way and it went up to 12.6v. We drove 263 miles (5hrs) to Ft Davis and I checked the LCI and it read 12.6v! Usually my voltage drops after long hauls, but today it stayed constant.

So I went inside to press the select button on the Xantrex while connected to bed 7way and Teri I idling. I saw 12.4v, input current 002A, out put power 00.2 kW. So is that typical for the res fridge?

[Magnolia Tom]

Thanks Darin. We have a short trip (90 miles) planned for Easter and I’ll do a comparison

[Lake Huron]

It appears there's quite a difference in how these units are wired.
Does anybody have waiting diagram from jayco on how they are supposed to be wired?