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Troubleshooting Low Battery alarm

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  • geoBgeoB Member Posts: 106
    I confess to ignorance of the solar power system. Unfortunately, the packet of manuals, etc., provided by the dealer included only a small pamphlet from Aims which did not contain any information on maintenance. The switch itself was not mentioned. Nowhere was there anything about a shunt.

    So the set of data I provided yesterday (9/4) was based on an inverter already in a turned off state. Flipping its breaker later made no difference at all. I should be able to turn off the inverter tomorrow (Saturday, 9/6).

    Is acquiring a Victron SmartShunt necessary to proceed? If so, what size?

    I very much appreciate your assistance and patience. Thank you.
    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • MuttonChopsMuttonChops Member Posts: 1,832
    geoB said:
    Is acquiring a Victron SmartShunt necessary to proceed? If so, what size?
    It is possible your rig does not have a factory installed Shunt, however most builds with solar and inverter do.  Having a Shunt which reports/records power usage is super helpful while the Solar information reports solar power input.

    Does your Victron App list any additional 'Smart' items . . . Victron App Manual (available on-line) will tell you how to check for the other items . . .

    If there is no Shunt in your rig . . . all is not lost.
    Measuring the battery voltages (after the 5-10 rest) and getting them Auto Shop tested would be needed with or without shunt data.

    We know the Solar Controller is working.  If batteries test good and your rig still is having low battery issues then isolating what 12VDC item is drawing down the batteries will become the topic of interest.
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    Adventures:  56   Nights:  379  Towing Miles 47,220
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  • Bill&SuzeBill&Suze Member Posts: 146
    @geoB, here is a photo of the Smart Shunt in our 2024 T@B 400. Note that it is located next to the battery and connected to the battery negative cable. In your photo of your battery compartment your negative cable runs to the left through the plywood bulkhead so if you indeed have a shunt installed you may find it in the compartment to the left, connected to the black negative cable coming through the plywood.



    If I might be permitted to throw a wrinkle in the discussion, one thing no one has proposed is the possibility that your rooftop solar panel is failing. I mention this only because your very first photos from Sept.3 show diminishing solar generation over the course of the previous 2-3 days, with some bulk generation but then no following absorption and float periods. I saw this same behavior in our system a year ago and flailed around on my own with the help of forum members trying to diagnose why the battery was progressively losing a charge and I was seeing only limited solar generation, mainly in the morning but none during the best sunlight hours. I finally took the camper to the dealer and it turned out that both our panels had failed and had to be replaced. 
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
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  • geoBgeoB Member Posts: 106
    edited 4:10PM
    There is no SmartShunt on my trailer. I don't follow what is meant by "...the other items".

    As of this writing, the inverter is off & all fuses are pulled. Today's phone grabs:


    Please elaborate on what the next step(s) should be. For example, next trip to trailer:
    • turn off battery, 
    • wait 5 - 10 minutes,  
    • turn on battery to get Bluetooth, *
    • measure batteries (individual & total), 
    • turn battery off, *
    • disconnect & remove batteries, 
    • get them tested, 
    • then ...?
    * edit, thanks to @dsfdogs

    As for @Bill&Suze's comment: Oh, joy!
    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • Bill&SuzeBill&Suze Member Posts: 146
    edited September 6
    Based on your SmartSolar shots today it looks like your solar panel is cranking nicely so please ignore what I offered. Battery testing per @MuttonChops recommendation may settle the question. If batteries have reached their end of life, consider moving to lithium(s) and also have a smart shunt added. By the way, I think that if you have a shunt it would show up in your Victron Connect app as what @MuttonChops referred to as "other Smart items".
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
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  • HoriganHorigan Member Posts: 765
    edited 2:40AM
    Bill&Suze said:
    @geoB, here is a photo of the Smart Shunt in our 2024 T@B 400. Note that it is located next to the battery and connected to the battery negative cable. In your photo of your battery compartment your negative cable runs to the left through the plywood bulkhead so if you indeed have a shunt installed you may find it in the compartment to the left, connected to the black negative cable coming through the plywood.



    If I might be permitted to throw a wrinkle in the discussion, one thing no one has proposed is the possibility that your rooftop solar panel is failing. I mention this only because your very first photos from Sept.3 show diminishing solar generation over the course of the previous 2-3 days, with some bulk generation but then no following absorption and float periods. I saw this same behavior in our system a year ago and flailed around on my own with the help of forum members trying to diagnose why the battery was progressively losing a charge and I was seeing only limited solar generation, mainly in the morning but none during the best sunlight hours. I finally took the camper to the dealer and it turned out that both our panels had failed and had to be replaced. 
    FYI.  Whatever that white wire is going to the negative terminal of the battery should be moved to the load side of the shunt.  Otherwise, it's not measuring the current and amp-hours through that white wire.
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6
    Bellingham WA
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  • dsfdogsdsfdogs Member Posts: 631
    As I recall from my setup, that white wire is from the Alde.
    Debbie in Oregon
    Sold 2023 Tab 400
    Sold 2018 T@B 320S

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  • dsfdogsdsfdogs Member Posts: 631
    @geoB, FYI you don't need to turn on your battery switch to get Bluetooth. Also, if the trailer is in storage, you should keep the battery switch off. Solar charges directly to your battery, the battery switch does not need to be on to charge. 
    Debbie in Oregon
    Sold 2023 Tab 400
    Sold 2018 T@B 320S

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  • Bill&SuzeBill&Suze Member Posts: 146
    @dsfdogs is correct, it is the negative wire to the DC power supply on the Alde secondary circuit board that there 3020 model has. It was wired this way from the factory I assume.
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
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  • geoBgeoB Member Posts: 106
    edited 6:59PM
    Batteries tested @ local O'Reillys: Tech says they're in the last quarter of lifetime; perhaps good for another year, maybe two. My plan is to replace them next year before adding miles to the trailer.

    My thanks to all for battery-powered education.

    History, fwiw:
    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA expat, now driving out of Reno
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