Rahdo
New member
Hey everybody. I've got some questions about the electrical system for our 2003 Brave. I'm very much a novice when it comes to all things electric, and I'm trying to figure out how things work. Here's my situation:
I've got a Bluetti AC180 solar battery and a 300w panel which I use for laptops, Starlink, etc. I've actually got it down in the RV's power bay, and I've got the shore power cable for the rig plugged into it in there. I use a remote control device to turn on or off the AC jacks on the bluetti from inside, when I want the outlets inside the rig to work for various things (like the laptops).
I've also got two 27dc Interstate deep cycle marine batteries from Costco, and their only real job is the house lights, the propane fridge, fans, etc.
It's been working great for the last few months, but unfortunately I was an idiot and didn't really pay attention to the water levels in the house batteries. I'd been noticing for the last week that when I'd wake up in the morning that they were lower and lower, and I was more having to rely on the onboard generator to top them up (because trying to charge them with the Bluetti would empty it out in no time). When I eventually realized "oh wait, I have to top them up with distilled water" and checked them out, several cells were below the plate line, and I'd been charging them and presumably driving them into the dirt. Lesson learned, argh!
So We're boondocking in Baja, Mexico right now and will be for several more months. I feel like I need to buy some replacements because it's getting untennable running the generator to pick the house batteries up every morning back into the mid 12v range from the high 11s that it's falling to now (and falling faster than ever in the past, which again makes me assume I've ruined them).
But, i don't really have access to Costco or Walmart etc. We will be getting to La Paz in a couple of weeks and I figured my options would be greater down there, but I'm wondering what option I should pursue.
So here come the questions:
1) are these batteries gone or salvagable?
2) if gone, should I just get replacement deep cycle 27dcs, whatever I can find?
3) should i instead try to get a couple of AGM batteries, if I can find them? If so, will I need to replace the on board charger as well? That's something I don't want to take on myself, nor try to hire a local mechanic. I am willing to pay more for lower maintenace and better performance, but the specter of having to install a new more modern charger is a bit much at this point I think. Is it necessary?
Also, I'm trying to figure out how to get by until we get to La Paz, especially because we're in an area where running the generator is frowned upon, so I tried something this morning:
Turned off the house batteries completely with the switch near the side door and used the Bluetti for EVERYTHING. It works pretty well, but my solar panels can't quite keep up with the demand, and I'm confused about the demand. With nothing plugged in and everything (like the fridge) turned off, I'm still drawing nearly 50 watts from the Bluetti. Using the circut breaker, I discovered that the "fridge/conv" circuit is the cultprit. Since the fridge is off, I assume the "conv" is what's drawing power, but what is this "conv"?
I'm assuming it's the house battery charger, and in fact, while that circuit is active, if I look at the cigarette battery voltometer, the house batteries are acting as if they're being charged (going above 13 volts), so I thought "hey, this is great... it's a less impactful way to charge the house batteries without running the generator, and without emptying my bluetti in a couple of hours", but after doing this all day, I've discovered that it didn't seem to have a lasting effect on the house battery charge, and they're still dangerously low.
So one more question (for now): what is the "conv" doing with the house batteries when they're turned off? Trickle charging them? Doing nothing?
Thanks in advance for any advice y'all can give, I really appreciate it! Constantly worring about this is really undoing the mellow laid back mind set I'd hoped to have on this trip!
I've got a Bluetti AC180 solar battery and a 300w panel which I use for laptops, Starlink, etc. I've actually got it down in the RV's power bay, and I've got the shore power cable for the rig plugged into it in there. I use a remote control device to turn on or off the AC jacks on the bluetti from inside, when I want the outlets inside the rig to work for various things (like the laptops).
I've also got two 27dc Interstate deep cycle marine batteries from Costco, and their only real job is the house lights, the propane fridge, fans, etc.
It's been working great for the last few months, but unfortunately I was an idiot and didn't really pay attention to the water levels in the house batteries. I'd been noticing for the last week that when I'd wake up in the morning that they were lower and lower, and I was more having to rely on the onboard generator to top them up (because trying to charge them with the Bluetti would empty it out in no time). When I eventually realized "oh wait, I have to top them up with distilled water" and checked them out, several cells were below the plate line, and I'd been charging them and presumably driving them into the dirt. Lesson learned, argh!
So We're boondocking in Baja, Mexico right now and will be for several more months. I feel like I need to buy some replacements because it's getting untennable running the generator to pick the house batteries up every morning back into the mid 12v range from the high 11s that it's falling to now (and falling faster than ever in the past, which again makes me assume I've ruined them).
But, i don't really have access to Costco or Walmart etc. We will be getting to La Paz in a couple of weeks and I figured my options would be greater down there, but I'm wondering what option I should pursue.
So here come the questions:
1) are these batteries gone or salvagable?
2) if gone, should I just get replacement deep cycle 27dcs, whatever I can find?
3) should i instead try to get a couple of AGM batteries, if I can find them? If so, will I need to replace the on board charger as well? That's something I don't want to take on myself, nor try to hire a local mechanic. I am willing to pay more for lower maintenace and better performance, but the specter of having to install a new more modern charger is a bit much at this point I think. Is it necessary?
Also, I'm trying to figure out how to get by until we get to La Paz, especially because we're in an area where running the generator is frowned upon, so I tried something this morning:
Turned off the house batteries completely with the switch near the side door and used the Bluetti for EVERYTHING. It works pretty well, but my solar panels can't quite keep up with the demand, and I'm confused about the demand. With nothing plugged in and everything (like the fridge) turned off, I'm still drawing nearly 50 watts from the Bluetti. Using the circut breaker, I discovered that the "fridge/conv" circuit is the cultprit. Since the fridge is off, I assume the "conv" is what's drawing power, but what is this "conv"?
I'm assuming it's the house battery charger, and in fact, while that circuit is active, if I look at the cigarette battery voltometer, the house batteries are acting as if they're being charged (going above 13 volts), so I thought "hey, this is great... it's a less impactful way to charge the house batteries without running the generator, and without emptying my bluetti in a couple of hours", but after doing this all day, I've discovered that it didn't seem to have a lasting effect on the house battery charge, and they're still dangerously low.
So one more question (for now): what is the "conv" doing with the house batteries when they're turned off? Trickle charging them? Doing nothing?
Thanks in advance for any advice y'all can give, I really appreciate it! Constantly worring about this is really undoing the mellow laid back mind set I'd hoped to have on this trip!