2023 T@B 400 - Converter Problem??

1991sb

We have a 2023 400 with one Battle Born 100 amp hour lithium battery.  We're halfway through a three-week trip and have been/will be on shore power for the entire trip.  We've kept the Alde on electricity to avoid depleting our propane supply.  (We're in Oregon, where it's been quite chilly, so we've been using the Alde heater at night.)

Last night the Alde panel suddenly flashed a "Low Battery" warning, then a few moments later everything running on 12V power went dead.  The outlets and other items that require shore power continued to function normally. 

We've confirmed there are no tripped circuits or loose connections.  From what we've read here on the forum, seems to be an issue with the converter.   Is there a way to isolate the problem further, or do we just need to have the converter replaced?

We've switched the Alde to propane to conserve battery power and will otherwise use the 12V items sparingly so we can keep the fridge going.We hope to finish the trip as planned and deal with the converter issue when we get home.  Is that reasonable?  

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/guidance you can give us.

MuttonChops

1991sb said:
[[A]] . . .  Alde panel suddenly flashed a "Low Battery" warning, then a few moments later everything running on 12V power went dead. 

[[B]] . . .  switched the Alde to propane to conserve battery power and will otherwise use the 12V items sparingly so we can keep the fridge going.

If the trailer Battery Cut-Off Switch was in the OFF position what you described in [[A]] makes sense and does indicate the ACV to DCV Convertor section of the Power Center has failed.

When you switched the Alde over to propane did you also turn the Battery Cut-off Switch to ON?

Side Note:  Selecting ALDE heat source as Propane [[B]] will actually increase the 12VDC amperage
                  demand as propane requires a combustion fan and electronic ignition circuit.  The
                  shore power 120VAC heaters do not have those extra circuit loads.

                  The ALDE needs 12VDC to power the unit electronics and circulation pump no matter
                  on shore power or propane.

pthomas745

What would be nice to know is: what does your Victron tell you when you unplug the trailer and turn the battery switch off? What is the actual voltage of the battery?

1991sb

@MuttonChops, thank you for the responses.  Yes, the battery is on.  Otherwise the refrigerator won't work.

@pthomas745, here's a screenshot: 

MuttonChops

@1991sb ;
I'm assuming the Victron Status Screen was taken with the Battery Cut-off Switch ON and the Fridge On . . . as solar is active and there is current draw and a low indicated voltage.

Ideally, you should get a Victron Reading with the battery at rest so you know what the battery condition is before solar or the trailer/Fridge are active.

" At Rest "
  ++ Turn off Fridge
  ++ Turn battery switch to Off
  ++ Disconnect solar connection to battery or cover solar panel.
  ++ Wait a bit, lead acid batteries need 5-minutes, no idea on Li-ion
  ++ Now get a Vitron reading;
           solar section should be near zero
           battery section should be zero (near zero) current draw
  ++ What is the battery voltage value,
        compare that value to this typical State of Charge table.

1991sb

@MuttonChops, the screenshot was taken with shore power disconnected and the battery turned off, per @pthomas745's suggestion.  The fridge was off, along with everything else.   Current draw shown may be from the Bluetooth connection for the Victron app.

pthomas745

As you can see on the lithium state of charge chart, that 11.37 reading is very low for a lithium battery. On a Battleborn, they have what is known as a "low voltage disconnect".....this battery may have gone into "hibernation" to protect itself.  This would be why you have no 12V power in the trailer.  Look over this Battleborn web page that attempts to explain this.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/low-voltage-disconnect/

The question would be: if you are on shore power, and have a solar panel, how did the battery reach this status?

 

1991sb

@pthomas745, thanks for that Battle Born info - very interesting.

As to why….we’d love to know.  Assume it’s the converter, but really have no idea beyond that.  We’re waiting for RV service guy to call us back.  Fridge died, so we’re doing without any of the 12v features.  

KK1L

I can guess you don't have a shunt to watch the battery directly, but you can check if the converter is working by looking at the battery voltage shown on the solar controller screen with the trailer plugged it  It should jump up to 13V or more.