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Re: Batteries get neglected when running the heater on electricity
You are correct. The solar will charge the battery when the battery is cut off, but only if you have sun. The converter should be charging the battery if plugged into shore power, no matter what you have running. Make sure you are running frig on electric, and not on battery.
Re: Moving Battery Inside
@SLJ Seems an elegant solution. Do you have any updates on this install? I am considering putting two lithium batteries in the same place in my TAB 320. I will include a Victron Smart Shunt inside as well. I wonder what cable gauge you used in running wire to front tub. Also, how did you terminate the two wires in front tub? Once there it seems hooking up to existing leads would be relatively simple. Any product details would be useful. Thank you.SLJ said:Next will be installing a battery box for a larger battery with vents out to the underside of the T@B and a box on the back wall of the tongue box for the connections.
Re: Corrosion of Alde Convectors
One final comment from my additional testing last week.
I purchased a magnesium anode to install into the glycol reservoir and connect to ground. The thought being that the magnesium is "less noble" (will sacrifice itself easier) than the aluminum in the convectors. This all sounds really great, in theory.
1. After installing the anode with the glycol hot, I was able to measure a voltage drop to ground form the anode of 1.12 VDC, which indicates the anode was working.
2. Measuring the voltage drop of the convector under the shower with the glycol hot, there was a 256 MV drop to ground.
3. Ground the anode and the same voltage drop becomes 750 MV (or about triple).
Based on the voltage drop increase, it would appear that adding an anode is the wrong thing to do, this is based on my testing on my camper. If you were to test this, your results may vary, but based on this, I removed the anode and wiring.
Additionally, @jimcenname and I had several conversations about corrosion, galvanic action, grounds, etc. Jim had reached out to Rhomar tech support and was told that Rhogard is designed to help resist the galvanic action and as long as the PH remains around 8 (service as recommended) and the glycol is not diluted (past the pre-mix of 50/50) that it will be fine.
Brad
P.S. I mention the glycol being hot because as the temperature goes up, the voltage drop follows.
I purchased a magnesium anode to install into the glycol reservoir and connect to ground. The thought being that the magnesium is "less noble" (will sacrifice itself easier) than the aluminum in the convectors. This all sounds really great, in theory.
1. After installing the anode with the glycol hot, I was able to measure a voltage drop to ground form the anode of 1.12 VDC, which indicates the anode was working.
2. Measuring the voltage drop of the convector under the shower with the glycol hot, there was a 256 MV drop to ground.
3. Ground the anode and the same voltage drop becomes 750 MV (or about triple).
Based on the voltage drop increase, it would appear that adding an anode is the wrong thing to do, this is based on my testing on my camper. If you were to test this, your results may vary, but based on this, I removed the anode and wiring.
Additionally, @jimcenname and I had several conversations about corrosion, galvanic action, grounds, etc. Jim had reached out to Rhomar tech support and was told that Rhogard is designed to help resist the galvanic action and as long as the PH remains around 8 (service as recommended) and the glycol is not diluted (past the pre-mix of 50/50) that it will be fine.
Brad
P.S. I mention the glycol being hot because as the temperature goes up, the voltage drop follows.
Re: (UPDATED with NuCamp Reply) NuCamp Not Installing 12 Volt TV's in 400
I would recommend taking a deep breath and just trying it out for a while before you jump into trying to "fix" things. While I have not really looked into how much power our 12v tv uses I do know that when we use it it is also used with the inverter to power our dvd player. We also use the inverter to run our drip coffee maker in the mornings. Watching a movie a night with the dvd player, running the coffee pot in the morning has never taken our batteries even close to being drained to point I had to worry. And the solar, on a sunny day, has always brought them back up to 100%. It is possible that the 120v tv will not use too much more power than the 12v. I know everyone has a different situations when it comes to power consumption and solar based on the weather but I'd just use it for a few trips and see. Maybe it will be just fine. If not then maybe try another tv or something else.
Re: Batteries get neglected when running the heater on electricity
@dsfdogs as long as he's not tripping the breaker at the shore power panel, I don't think it would make a difference.
Re: Bike Rack Options Involving TaB Aluminum Cage
I second Victoria, extending the TV hitch is a bad idea, adds to trailer instability also. Extending the TaB tongue is just the opposite, decreases your tongue weight, and can increase the trailer towing stability. The issue is the distance between the TV and the hitch ball position, the further you put that ball pivot/trailer loading point from the TV axle, the less stable the trailer becomes.
Cheers
Cheers
Re: Batteries get neglected when running the heater on electricity
Yes make sure the fridge is on AC power and not 12V power. Your battery should not get depleted when on shore power. Do not disconnect the battery when on shore power. It should be getting charged by the converter as mona stated.
Re: Batteries get neglected when running the heater on electricity
I'm not real familiar with the current 400 configuration, but I agree this is not a normal situation. Something is either drawing your battery down, or the battery is faulty. (Inability to take or hold a charge are common symptoms of a compromised battery.)
Re: (UPDATED with NuCamp Reply) NuCamp Not Installing 12 Volt TV's in 400
@Dutch061 Not sure what you mean. The TV will always draw the same power, a 30W TV at 120V is still 30W (plus maybe 10% more due to efficiency) at 12V. The conversion multiplier of 10 is the current. For example, 30W @ 120V the current is about 0.25A (30W/120V), for the 12V @ 30W the current is 2.5A (30W/12V).
Re: 2022 t@b 400 Prices?
How far are you from Juniata Valley PA? You can get a new 400 for about $35k. I've bought three T@Bs from Juniata Valley RV and I've never had to negotiate. Their prices are so great from the first quote. Ask for Rick and tell him Robyn Eller referred you.
I just paid $34, 390 for my 400 with the large fridge. Picked it up last week. I referred someone else who got a 400 Boondock for just a bit over $35k.
I just paid $34, 390 for my 400 with the large fridge. Picked it up last week. I referred someone else who got a 400 Boondock for just a bit over $35k.