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10-12-2019, 11:59 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Kamloops, British Columbia
Trailer: 2005-17B, 2013 - 5.0, Cabin, 2018-21'
Posts: 102
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Battery Charging While Driving
The last 2 days while travelling out batteries were only charging up to an indicated 90% after 10hrs of being connected to the tow vehicle.
As well our trailer has the solar panel on the roof.
Just surprised that an indicated 100% was not shown as both days were sunny as well.
__________________
2018 21' Pulled by 2016 F150 2.7 Eco Boost
2005 17B
2013 5.0
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10-12-2019, 12:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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You do not mention your tow vehicle. Also did you have a direct wire run from the front to the rear 7 pin connector? The stock wiring is probably not thick enough to allow a lot of current to flow to your trailer. You solar should be the main charge for your trailer during the day. Are you using propane for the refer while towing?
Also your avatar shows: cabin, 2018-21? You are towing a 2018 Escape 21, Correct?
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Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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10-12-2019, 12:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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hoe low was it before traveling?
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Happy Motoring
Bob
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10-12-2019, 12:58 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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The latest version of the GoPower solar controller (which is likely the one in your 2018 21) will indicate a full battery as 90%. It will only show 100% after equalization, or a second absorption stage (run by pushing the Maximum Boost Button). See page 19 of the manual.
Generally, the charging voltage available from most tow vehicles is too low to fully charge the battery. It may help keep it from discharging, particularly if you attempt to run the refrigerator on 12V, but only if the wiring size is large enough to pass the needed current. Many tow vehicles do not have large enough tow charging wiring, and the alternators are not designed to charge trailers, only the tow vehicle battery.
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10-12-2019, 01:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Kamloops, British Columbia
Trailer: 2005-17B, 2013 - 5.0, Cabin, 2018-21'
Posts: 102
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yes the trailers is a 2018 21
Thanks for the tip on maximum charge in the manual
__________________
2018 21' Pulled by 2016 F150 2.7 Eco Boost
2005 17B
2013 5.0
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10-12-2019, 02:35 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
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Many people run their fridge on 12v while towing, I used to. Now I run the fridge on propane while towing so the battery charges. The fridge on 12v never really worked that well.
Just remember to turn off your propane fridge before you pull into the gas station.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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10-12-2019, 02:51 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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The larger fridges do not operate that well on 12v, propane however is very efficient.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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10-12-2019, 08:38 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bristol, Virginia
Trailer: 2019 Escape 19 "Full Quiver"; 2018 Ford F 150 3.0l Turbodiesel
Posts: 85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
The larger fridges do not operate that well on 12v, propane however is very efficient.
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We sure have seen that! We are still on propane cylinder 1 with no refills to date after our 8/2/19 pick up date and almost exclusive use of propane for the large 6 cu ft fridge, truly amazing! That's 5000 + miles and nearly 4 weeks of camping on 1st tank. Still haven't had to switch my fancy auto switch to tank#2!
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10-12-2019, 10:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Berndad
Still haven't had to switch my fancy auto switch to tank#2!
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If it's automatic, maybe it has switched itself?
I ran out both tanks because I didn't check the switch gauge.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-13-2019, 06:31 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sarita, Texas
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 518
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If I'm told some feature/function is 'automatic' I tend to watch things a bit more closely.
__________________
Why have I never heard of a 'Physic' winning the lottery?
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10-13-2019, 08:01 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
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Over ride
Quote:
Originally Posted by 75thRanger
If I'm told some feature/function is 'automatic' I tend to watch things a bit more closely.
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When I’m told it’s automatic, I usually say where’s the manual override?
Iowa Dave
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10-13-2019, 08:50 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bristol, Virginia
Trailer: 2019 Escape 19 "Full Quiver"; 2018 Ford F 150 3.0l Turbodiesel
Posts: 85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
When I’m told it’s automatic, I usually say where’s the manual override?
Iowa Dave
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Perhaps I should be more clear, the auto feature does switch the tank , but you must be diligent and watch the green vs, red indicator on the device. It is supposed to turn red and then you switch the tank lever manually and then safe to remove 1st tank and fill.
However, I will be taking a spare propane tank next weekend just in case the nefarious Auto bug has bitten me!
Thanks for the appropriate warnings!
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10-13-2019, 10:10 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sarita, Texas
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Berndad
Perhaps I should be more clear, the auto feature does switch the tank , but you must be diligent and watch the green vs, red indicator on the device. It is supposed to turn red and then you switch the tank lever manually and then safe to remove 1st tank and fill.
However, I will be taking a spare propane tank next weekend just in case the nefarious Auto bug has bitten me!
Thanks for the appropriate warnings!
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I close one tank and switch when the other runs out. If I have to watch indicators I will forget and both will be dry!
It naturally runs out when raining buckets or the dead of nite after I've watched the 'Walking Dead'.
__________________
Why have I never heard of a 'Physic' winning the lottery?
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10-13-2019, 10:12 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sarita, Texas
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
When I’m told it’s automatic, I usually say where’s the manual override?
Iowa Dave
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I will wear a override switch out!
__________________
Why have I never heard of a 'Physic' winning the lottery?
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10-13-2019, 12:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Trailer: 2020 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 358
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So, you have to pull over, go inside and turn off the fridge before pulling into a gas station? Do you also have to turn off the propane tank? Thanks.
__________________
Sharon.
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10-13-2019, 12:27 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carmel Clown
So, you have to pull over, go inside and turn off the fridge before pulling into a gas station? Do you also have to turn off the propane tank? Thanks.
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You don't have to shut off the propane, just extinguish open flame. Of course, lots of people don't even do that. They choose a pump on the outside so that the fridge ( and flame ) is on the opposite side from the pumps and several feet back, out in the open.
I think with devices used these days to trap gasoline fumes from the filler and nozzle that fuelling is much more safe than in days of yore.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-13-2019, 12:39 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Trailer: 2020 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 358
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Thanks.
__________________
Sharon.
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10-13-2019, 01:03 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Tunnels and ferries that are signed to shut off propane or limit tanks must be obeyed.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-13-2019, 01:46 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
You don't have to shut off the propane, just extinguish open flame.
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True.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I think with devices used these days to trap gasoline fumes from the filler and nozzle that fuelling is much more safe than in days of yore.
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Most places in North America don't have vapour recovery systems on fuel dispensing pumps.
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