Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Electrics Again - Reading the RV-30s Monitor

May 05, 2015, 08:50:40 am

Yahoo Message Number: 152586

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Hello All
 Now that I'm in the Pearl (2000 30') and plugged into shore power, I've become increasingly confused about what the monitor is telling me. For example, when not plugged in the number is consistently between 125 on cloudy days or in the evening, to about 135 on a sunny day, charging light on, with only the fridge and/or the radio on, maybe a light or two.
 When plugged in as well, the number can go up to 147 and yesterday morning, before the sun was up, it shot up to 155 (with the lights off). I did check the batteries and a couple of the cells were low on water, which I topped up.
 This morning, again before the sun was up, it was again at 147, none of the lights were on. Then both the Charged and the Charging lights came on.
 So what is "normal" for the numbers and the lights? And is it "normal" for none of the lights to be on? And I had been assuming the number was just like a rating, but is it actually the voltage (14.7) without the "."?
 Having read the information on electrics on Andy's Eureka pages, I realize that I can't rely on what appear to be essentially "idiot lights", but for now that's what I have to work with. As I'm pretty much an idiot when it comes to electrics (although willing to learn), it might be safer for me to find a local RV expert to coach me rather than diving in head first.
 Finally, I found the thread here on the controller and cooking batteries, and message 147905 mentioned dip switches on the back of the monitor that could be used to controlled charging - is that something I could use to keep things ticking over safely until I get everything figured out?

Many thanks in advance...

Pat

PS I have been exploring replacing the converter, but the two local RV places I've spoken to say what I have (the original equipment) is good enough, just keep the batteries topped up, although neither have actually put meters on things to check out what's really happening. I'm not sure I believe them...

Re: Electrics Again - Reading the RV-30s Monitor

Reply #2 – May 05, 2015, 12:41:18 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 152591

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Thanks for the reply Steve - yep, if I stand to the side and squint, I can just see a very faint decimal - one mystery solved!
 It was at 14.7 and the Charged light is on. It's a heavily overcast day, and I using the TV, a small space heater and one light. When I turned a bunch more lights on and cranked the heater, it dropped to 14.3 and started charging - when I turned stuff off, it went back to 14.7 and Charged.
 As soon as it stops raining, I'll check the water level in the batteries again. I suspect they may be going bad, they're 2 or 3 years old and I'm not convinced the previous owner maintained things as he should - and I accidentally let them go a bit too, which started this whole learning curve.

Pat

Re: Electrics Again - Reading the RV-30s Monitor

Reply #4 – May 05, 2015, 03:02:41 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 152597

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I would recommend replacing the converter with a 3 stage from Best Converters. It makes a big difference in charge times and won't "cook" your lead-acid batteries. Not that big of an investment for the problems it solves.
They offer a retrofit kit that bolts right in behind stock cover. Technical support is excellent if needed. Larry installed mine several years ago and I've never had an issue. Rarely need to add water to the T-145's.

And I can't say enough good things about the Blue Sky battery monitors/charge controllers. Easy to read and understand. I have never heard of one failing. A boon-dockers friend.

bobmoore14