I believe that our house batteries are charged by the 120 watt solar panel through a 15 amp regulator, the vehicle through its alternator, and when connected to 240v power. There seems to be some sort of regulating and automatic switching device when going from 240 to house battery use. I believe that the 12v dc for the fridge is supplied when the vehicle/tug is charging and not when the engine on the tug is turned off.
This morning, at our lovely free camp at Tempy, I started the genset to run the heater, I also wanted to run the espresso coffee machine after the van warmed up. After the genset warmed up I turned on the power switch and she jumped into gear. I turned the heater on and the genset overload tripped. I now realise that the genset was charging the house batteries and was drawing quite a few amps. I reckon it took 15 minutes until the genset went back to idle, then I could run the heater or the coffee machine. The situation is that I did not need the house batteries charged immediately, I needed COFFEE immediately!!!! This means that I can't do anything else until the house batteries are charged. I am hoping that someone can tell me that I can put an isolator switch somewhere to allow the genset to operate just the appliances. The solar and tug can charge the house batteries until the evening.
Am I on the right track?
Aussie Paul.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Tuesday 19th of August 2014 09:16:39 PM
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 08:19:33 PM
Paul you need to find the battery charger and see if it is plugged into a power outlet. If so then you can just switch it off.
frank
Ah, ok Frank. When they took the club lounge out there was a power point they said the fridge used. Now I think there maybe 2 leads plugged into the point. "Things" were fiddled with I reckon. I will look tomorrow, thanks.
Well hi Aussie Paul that's interesting that you were staying at Tempy that's about 40 min from my place glad to hear that you thought it a good place to camp played footy against Tempy Gorya Patchawollock (TGP) many years ago.
When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Well hi Aussie Paul that's interesting that you were staying at Tempy that's about 40 min from my place glad to hear that you thought it a good place to camp played footy against Tempy Gorya Patchawollock (TGP) many years ago.
Guess what?? I DID have the 240v hot water switch on!! I wonder if it was on back when I bought my first el cheapo 2kva genset and it would not run the aircon!! I think/hope not. Anyway this el cheapo genset with remote starting does what I need. Hot water takes 5.8 amps and the aircon on the low heat setting 7.8..
I like to learn from my own and others mistakes, preferably other peoples!!!!!!!!
You all probably reckon I am dumb, I just post to confirm it!!!
I realise a mistake in my original first post. The tug 12v is for the fridge, but does it also charge the house battery? With our Jayco there is no wiring or plumbing diagrams to help out!!!
Hi Paul,
Is there an Anderson plug between tug and van? If you are just using the normal trailer plug to charge the batts nothing much will happen due to voltage loss over the distance.
You've got me wondering if they make a 12v coffee machine!!
I own a Jayco as well, much to my dismay, as far as I can see there is no charging of any battery (including the breakaway batt) when under tow. The 12V aux contacts are for keeping the fridge cold during travel and ESC if its connected.
I have just completed some major re-wiring of the electrics and have found Jayco are none too careful the way they wire these things up. Safe for sure but some of the birds nests I have to wade through... Yipes
As far as I can see the only stuff powered on 12V during travel is the fridge and ESC. I switch the house battery off during travel and let the solar panel charge the house batts. If there is not enough when I arrive at a free camp, the generator gets a few hours of use.
There you have it my friends, my meager knowledge.. lol
Safe travels
__________________
P B Crockart EX RAAF Electrician,
Aircraft Avionics tech. Senior high school teacher.
This means that I can't do anything else until the house batteries are charged. I am hoping that someone can tell me that I can put an isolator switch somewhere to allow the genset to operate just the appliances. The solar and tug can charge the house batteries until the evening.
