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Old 12-28-2013, 03:26 PM   #1
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Help with new KIB monitor.

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Hi all. I'm new to all this. We are going to attempt dry camping for 2 days soon.
I have a brand new Jayco swift 154bh. Love it.

1 problem. The battery light on the KIB monitor stays mostly at 2 lights, very occasionally at 3 (right now)
but NEVER 4 (fully charged). I have had it plugged into the mains for a week.
Everything is brand new.
I just bought a little digital voltage reader to see what's really up - online, but that'll take a few days to arrive

Any thoughts. I'm posting a photo- hopefully it uploads w this post.

I really don't want to dry camp if my battery is really only half charged.

Thanks in advance

Doonkin
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Old 12-28-2013, 03:32 PM   #2
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I`m not sure just how accurate those monitors are. Mine always shows 4 dots when plugged into shore power, but falls to 2 or 3 when not plugged in and the lights are on in the trailer. And my battery is now over four years old, been showing the same since day one.
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Old 12-28-2013, 04:03 PM   #3
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Thx.
It was plugged into the mains when I took
the photo. Sometimes 3 but mostly 2 (plugged
in for a week).
My grey water is showing 2 bars even
though it's totally empty (very new/light use)
The battery is the problem that really bothers
me though.
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Old 12-29-2013, 12:21 AM   #4
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I started this 8 hours ago, but had to go to an Xmas party.

As Crabman said, those monitors are not very accurate. You are best off getting a voltmeter. They make some small ones you can plug into the Aux (cigarette lighter) socket. I have a traditional multimeter I carry in my tool box. Check the battery with the shore power disconnected. It should read 12.9-13.5 volts, depending on how long it has been since you disconnected the battery. If it is connected to shore power or just disconnected it will be 13.5 volts (if my memory is correct), and settle down to 12.9 volts after a few hours.

You may have a bad or weak cell and you cannot get a full charge. If you have a good car repair shop you use, they can test the battery with a hydrometer. Otherwise the gauge on the wall may be faulted too. If I move my slideout I go from 4 lights to 3 almost immediately.

Also the wall monitor maybe faulting too, but no one really should trust them.
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Old 12-29-2013, 09:15 AM   #5
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The way I understand it, the electric system on the Swift SLX models does not trickle charge. I'm sure with a little googling you can verify this or not. I understand that a good battery charger has 3 modes. Quick, steady, and top off (paraphrasing). The SLX one does the first 2 modes. I'd recommend taking the battery out and putting the battery on a real charger. If you are pulling the camper for long way, provided you have the TV connected with a power cord, your TV will trickle charge the battery.

I could be wrong. According to my wife... It happens all the time. Either way, a $5 trickle charger from Harbor Freight is a great investment.

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Old 12-29-2013, 09:48 AM   #6
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http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/3-s...-chargers.html
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Old 12-29-2013, 11:20 AM   #7
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Thx guys
This is GREAT info. All the little things you know to keep you happily camping
could fill a manual - that Jayco doesn't provide - haha!

I've ordered a little digital voltmeter that arrives today Click image for larger version

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I will hit harbour freight today and get a trickle charger - good advice -
has anyone tried a solar trickle charger ( I'm in So California)

I'm also going to hit up jayco and KIB panel manufacturers and get some answers too.
This is great.

Thx
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Old 12-29-2013, 11:53 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doonkin View Post
Thx.

My grey water is showing 2 bars even
though it's totally empty (very new/light use)
The battery is the problem that really bothers
me though.
One thing about the gray/black water monitors, they are not accurate. Even with the tank cleaning sprayers, they are not accurate.

Have you checked the battery to see if it may possibly be at the end of its life? Do you know how old the battery is? How do the connections look on the battery terminals? Are they tight? If you disconnect the main fuse at the battery, how long does it keep a charge (no loads on it)???
Just a few more things to look at
Don
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Old 12-29-2013, 12:31 PM   #9
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I have a solar trickle charger http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt...ger-68692.html on my camper 100% of the time. Under perfect conditions it barely replaces what the normal parasitical loss is during the fall and spring. During the winter it will not keep up at all. I will usually go plug the generator in about once a month during the winter to throw a little bit more of a substantial charge on the battery.

They do make more expensive solar set ups that are more sophisticated. They consist of regulators and make great systems. For my camping needs, I don't need it. I rarely camp without hookups, and if I do I use my Champion generator (which I love and regardless of what the Honda folks say IS JUST AS QUIET at 53 db- LOL).

Hope that helps.

My number 2/3 light on my power center has a short in it. Sometimes it lights up and some times it doesn't. I have had it in the shop 3 times to get fixed and they have yet to do it. It will be fixed right next time.

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Old 12-29-2013, 01:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doonkin View Post
Thx guys
This is GREAT info. All the little things you know to keep you happily camping
could fill a manual - that Jayco doesn't provide - haha!

I've ordered a little digital voltmeter that arrives today Attachment 10793

Thx
I have looked at that voltmeter. I like the idea; just have not figured out a good place to install it. I would recommend adding a momentary switch inline so it is not adding to the parasite drain, and so it does not keep you up at night.
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