Best Of
Re: Battery not charging when driving.
@DeeDee, assuming your T@B is wired similar to mine (2015-S) the charging circuit is pretty simple to trace. All the wires from the trailer pigtail run into a plastic junction box under the trailer, near the front.
The second post from the right connects (among other things) the charge wire from the pigtail to the positive wire from the battery. The first post from the right does the same for the negative wires. The rest of the spaghetti is irrelevant in this case.
Figure out which wire is which, and check both lines for continuity between the trailer plug and the junction box, and between the junction box and the battery. If both are intact and properly connected, your battery should be charging while you drive.
The second post from the right connects (among other things) the charge wire from the pigtail to the positive wire from the battery. The first post from the right does the same for the negative wires. The rest of the spaghetti is irrelevant in this case.
Figure out which wire is which, and check both lines for continuity between the trailer plug and the junction box, and between the junction box and the battery. If both are intact and properly connected, your battery should be charging while you drive.
Re: Victron MPPT 75/10 never charges battery - Resolved, blown 20a fuse on bottom of MPPT
Looks like that fuse was it, it's charging now, woohoo! Thanks again @rfuss928
I happened to be out there right when the sun got high enough to cross the 5v threshold and could see it kick into charging mode in real time. Couple of screenshots just to illustrate, pretty cool.
Right before it cut over (battery voltage +5v is the cutover threshold)
Charging starts once it hit +5v over battery voltage , solar voltage is drawn down immediately by the charger load and current starts flowing.
Device list quick view in the Victron app:
Later in the day with the sun more overhead:
Not sure what's "normal" for a sunny day in September at 5,300 feet in Albuquerque but at least we're getting charge now
I happened to be out there right when the sun got high enough to cross the 5v threshold and could see it kick into charging mode in real time. Couple of screenshots just to illustrate, pretty cool.
Right before it cut over (battery voltage +5v is the cutover threshold)
Charging starts once it hit +5v over battery voltage , solar voltage is drawn down immediately by the charger load and current starts flowing.
Device list quick view in the Victron app:
Later in the day with the sun more overhead:
Not sure what's "normal" for a sunny day in September at 5,300 feet in Albuquerque but at least we're getting charge now
Re: Microwave Outlet
The .7 cu-ft Contoure microwaves used in the 320s are rated at less than 10 amps.
Re: How do you secure items in your fridge while traveling?
We also cut egg cartons long-wise and they fit right into the small shelves in the fridge door. the eggs stay nice and snug in there.
Re: Victron MPPT 75/10 never charges battery - Resolved, blown 20a fuse on bottom of MPPT
Did you check this fuse? It is kind of hidden by the wiring and hard to see from above. A small mirror may help...
Storage bins for Tab 400
We like to use the storage space under the stove for food. The product shown in the picture is item S-15646Y from Uline.com. It only comes in set of 9. (But I found great use for the other 5 in the house.) They are just deep enough and fit side-by-side, nicely. It is easy to load with food, in the house, and tote 2-at-a-time to the trailer. Looking for something? They slide in and out easily. Cost was about $90 including shipping and tax.
Re: Victron MPPT 75/10 never charges battery - Resolved, blown 20a fuse on bottom of MPPT
@rfuss928 I did NOT check that one! And what do you know, it's blown!! Will have to wait for the sun to come up again to see if replacing it took care of things. I will post back, thanks!
Re: Victron Smart Shunt IP65
@Robermcm Generally it won't be replacing something else. Most systems don't have this installed as standard (Unless your Tab came with the factory Lithium upgrade install). All loads and chargers get connected to one side of the shunt. The other side is connected to the negative of the battery. If the system doesn't have a shunt installed already, there might be a need for some cutting of wires and connectors being attached. The install is quite easy.
Re: RESOLVED: T@B 320S not getting power from the tow vehicle
UPDATE: Just to be sure I checked this out on my Frontier. While--as expected--the tail and side marker lights are linked to the headlights, the brake and turn signals operate regardless of whether the headlights are on or off.
Re: Microwave Outlet
@ScottG
@rfuss928
Again, thank you for the help! All good points.
The original outlet is rated for 20 amps, the Romex is 12 ga., and the breaker is 20 amps. I could easily change the breaker to a 15 amp so as not to overload a 15 amp outlet....if that ever happened. My other concern was exactly as ScottG mentioned. I'm not crazy about the 'guillotine' style connectors and I was concerned that a 15 amp breaker might be too tight on the 12 gauge wiring.
Last resort, I suppose I could change the romex, the breaker, and the outlet....but I think I'll just leave it as is for now. It was just one of those ideas that I had which, I thought, would be a quick, simple swap. I'ver learned that these campers are designed to utilize every square inch of space and there is usually a reason for most things.
Thanks once again!
@rfuss928
Again, thank you for the help! All good points.
The original outlet is rated for 20 amps, the Romex is 12 ga., and the breaker is 20 amps. I could easily change the breaker to a 15 amp so as not to overload a 15 amp outlet....if that ever happened. My other concern was exactly as ScottG mentioned. I'm not crazy about the 'guillotine' style connectors and I was concerned that a 15 amp breaker might be too tight on the 12 gauge wiring.
Last resort, I suppose I could change the romex, the breaker, and the outlet....but I think I'll just leave it as is for now. It was just one of those ideas that I had which, I thought, would be a quick, simple swap. I'ver learned that these campers are designed to utilize every square inch of space and there is usually a reason for most things.
Thanks once again!