Understanding Charging Systems - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Escape Systems | Water, Waste, Charging & Propane
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-24-2017, 09:41 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Prescott Valley, Arizona
Trailer: Escape #2 - 2017 ‘21; 2018 Silverado 2500 (diesel, crew cab, long box, 4X4, SnugTop, air bags)
Posts: 135
Understanding Charging Systems

Here's a great series of blog posts about how RV battery charging systems work.
https://roadslesstraveled.us/rv-mari...harging-basics
__________________
Jeff
Jeff and Karen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 09:47 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Red Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Retired from Dallas & Full-Timing, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape as of 01/16/17
Posts: 1,312
Thanks! I am all about learning new stuff!!!


Fred M.
__________________
Fred M.

"Whoever said retirement was overrated...
...never had an Escape"
Red Dog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 04:31 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Am wanting to check specific gravity on my dual 6V. As per instructions I removed any charge source by disconnecting negative then positive cables and am going to let them rest for an hour.

Weird thing is my interior lights and range hood fan still work! Huh? I do have factory solar.

No shore power or umbilical connected btw.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 04:40 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
The lights are flickering; perhaps there is some residual power stored somewhere.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 04:51 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19'
Posts: 264
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
The lights are flickering; perhaps there is some residual power stored somewhere.
If your battery disconnect is in the normal (ON) position, your solar system would be connected to the trailer 12V system, so your solar is running the lights directly. Check your solar manual, it might suggest to cover the solar panels if disconnecting the battery.

But leaving a 12V load from the trailer ON might keep the solar controller within its operating voltage range.
__________________
Kirk & Shelley
2014 19'
Surrey, Beautiful BC, Canada
KirkB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 05:48 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Am wanting to check specific gravity on my dual 6V. As per instructions I removed any charge source by disconnecting negative then positive cables and am going to let them rest for an hour.

Weird thing is my interior lights and range hood fan still work! Huh? I do have factory solar.

No shore power or umbilical connected btw.
This is a bad idea if you have the GoPower solar controller. The manual states that the panels must be disconnected (or covered) before the controller is disconnected from the batteries.

Unless you have added a panel disconnect switch, if you have solar, the best way to check the battery state of charge by voltage is to wait until dark, unplug from any other charging source (the tow vehicle and campground power pedestal), then add a small load (an amp or two) for half an hour or so, remove the load, and measure the voltage.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 05:59 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Eggscape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,716
So I guess we have the common single stage Atwood 55?
__________________
So many modifications...so little time.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...ape-12918.html
Eggscape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 06:29 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
If you are asking about the converter, it's a WFCO 8955 if things have not changed. It's a multistage, but rarely goes into bulk.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 06:57 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Eggscape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,716
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
If you are asking about the converter, it's a WFCO 8955 if things have not changed. It's a multistage, but rarely goes into bulk.
Great...thanks
__________________
So many modifications...so little time.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...ape-12918.html
Eggscape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 07:40 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye View Post
This is a bad idea if you have the GoPower solar controller. The manual states that the panels must be disconnected (or covered) before the controller is disconnected from the batteries.

Unless you have added a panel disconnect switch, if you have solar, the best way to check the battery state of charge by voltage is to wait until dark, unplug from any other charging source (the tow vehicle and campground power pedestal), then add a small load (an amp or two) for half an hour or so, remove the load, and measure the voltage.
So I read the instructions before starting as I seem to remember you or someone else stating the above warning, however I didn't see it. I do sometimes have the Mr. Magoo syndrom(which drives Susan nuts!), however does anyone else see it in the instructions? I did this two years ago when replacing my Group 29 12V with dual 6V and had no problem then either. Anyway, have put it all back together and seems ok.

http://gpelectric.com/files/gpelectr...-PWM-30_vD.pdf
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 09:15 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,682
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Am wanting to check specific gravity on my dual 6V. As per instructions I removed any charge source by disconnecting negative then positive cables and am going to let them rest for an hour.
...
If you absolutely want to "disconnect" the batteries with a minimum of work then remove one end of the wire that goes between the two 6s. It doesn't matter which end.

When this is done then neither the solar charger, any other charger, nor any discharge loads, will have an effect on the batteries - if you measure one at a time. (In other words if your multi- meter is reading between 5 and 6.5 volts). Add the two readings (one for each battery) to get the 12 volt total. This also works for checking specific gravity.

The point is - two 6v batteries, if not connected in the middle, are totally out of the circuit. No charge, no discharge - just dead weight.

--
Alan
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2017, 09:40 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
That's what my first thought was, as is the case with a car battery. Have never had batteries in series before though and thought better safe than sorry. Next time two less terminals to bother with; thanks Alan.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2017, 11:10 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
So I read the instructions before starting as I seem to remember you or someone else stating the above warning, however I didn't see it. I do sometimes have the Mr. Magoo syndrom(which drives Susan nuts!), however does anyone else see it in the instructions? I did this two years ago when replacing my Group 29 12V with dual 6V and had no problem then either. Anyway, have put it all back together and seems ok.

http://gpelectric.com/files/gpelectr...-PWM-30_vD.pdf
I just looked through both the operating & installation manuals of the current GoPower controller, and you are correct - this warning no longer appears. They do tell you to cover the panels during installation & when working on the system, but that is to prevent shock.

The warning I mentioned was in the manual for the older 25 amp GoPower installation manual, and is often stated with other manufacturer's controllers, so I'd still avoid disconnecting the batteries without shutting down the output of the panel.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 12:59 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
richardr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2017 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4x4
Posts: 549
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff and Karen View Post
Here's a great series of blog posts about how RV battery charging systems work.
https://roadslesstraveled.us/rv-mari...harging-basics
I just read very well written set of posts. I has me wondering about our WF-8900 converter not having an equalization stage. With the trailer plugged in for an extended period of time, would shutting off the converter weekly for a few hours force the converter into the Bulk charge mode and help slough off some sulfate from the battery plates?
__________________
Rick and Vicky Reed
richardr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 01:24 PM   #15
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr View Post
I just read very well written set of posts. I has me wondering about our WF-8900 converter not having an equalization stage. With the trailer plugged in for an extended period of time, would shutting off the converter weekly for a few hours force the converter into the Bulk charge mode and help slough off some sulfate from the battery plates?
Theoretically, the WFCO charger will not go into 'boost' charge mode unless the batteries need it - when it detects less than 90% of charge. To my mind, shutting off the converter weekly for a few hours won't accomplish that. Also, you've no way of knowing what cycle it's in when charging unless you break out a voltmeter. If you want a desulfation cycle, I would think it requires changing out the charger for a true 4-stage one, something like a PD4655MBA. That one can also be manually controlled.

I think a desulfation cycle is probably the most important factor for longevity when batteries are stored long term. Only a 4-stage charger can do that.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 01:47 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
AKCamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 555
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Am wanting to check specific gravity on my dual 6V. As per instructions I removed any charge source by disconnecting negative then positive cables and am going to let them rest for an hour.

Weird thing is my interior lights and range hood fan still work! Huh? I do have factory solar.

No shore power or umbilical connected btw.
The question I have is, why would you have to disconnect the batteries to check the specific gravity? I use a refractometer (the are cheap on e-bay). If you want to check no load voltage I would just wait till night time.
AKCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 02:20 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Was under impression that you needed to remove any charging source before testing specific gravity, and we have solar. Is that not the case?
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 03:04 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Was under impression that you needed to remove any charging source before testing specific gravity, and we have solar. Is that not the case?
I don't have solar connected, but I'm on shore power all winter. I unplug the trailer for an hour or more ( to allow 'surface charge' to dissipate ) before checking specific gravity.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 04:16 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
You can also just turn on a light or similar for a few minutes before checking.

Has anyone seen their WFCO go into bulk?
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2017, 07:08 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
richardr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2017 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4x4
Posts: 549
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
You can also just turn on a light or similar for a few minutes before checking.

Has anyone seen their WFCO go into bulk?
I have noticed a pull of about 6 amps on my EMS meter when starting up the Honda generator after driving for a day. I attributed this to charging the battery. I found I needed to wait a bit before starting the AC due to overloading the generator.
__________________
Rick and Vicky Reed
richardr is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.