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Old 03-19-2012, 12:03 PM   #1
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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Wiring Diagram

I am looking for a wiring diagram for a 2011 276RBS. I have power issues when I dry camping (3 day or less battery life) and I am trying to find where I can cut back. As it is we are using flashlights for light, run only the fridge, hot water heater, and the water pump (we use water from a jug for cooking). Good thing we didn't need the furnace. I found the fridge and radio are on the same fuse. I don't think that is right. I would like to be able to disconnect the radio since the display is always on. Two of the detectors are battery so they do not add to power useage. Even in the driveway the battery is dead within a week with no useage. It seems the radio has that much draw. I have installed a disconnect on the battery (now the battery doesn't go dead in the driveway). The tongue weight of the trailer is already high enough without adding an extra battery. Even there, if the battery rack was 2" back I could put an extra one on.
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Old 03-19-2012, 02:18 PM   #2
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Re: Wiring Diagram

Not sure of the details on this, but I've heard that using two 6 volt golf cart batteries wired so that they become 12 volt significant increases the ability to dry camp.
I'm sure that if you do some research on doing this issue you'll find the how and why........or someone here much more wise than I will provide you the needed details.
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Old 03-20-2012, 12:57 AM   #3
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Re: Wiring Diagram

What I've done on our TT:
There are various parasitic loads on newer RV 12V electrical systems. To monitor ours I purchased an advanced battery monitor and will install it once I pick up the trailer from the dealer, 6 volt batteries are also ready to be installed. The battery monitor will tell me the draw of each device connected to the 12V system. Once I have a better idea of what the typical draws are in the RV, I can then decide on whether the generator will suffice or to dimension a solar installation. The battery disconnect is a great idea, I also had one on the last TT and will install one on the new TT. I don't understand why manufacturers don't make this a standard feature.

Why I chose 2 X 6V batteries:
The 12V deep cycle battery that the dealer installs is usually a hybrid battery, meaning they are designed to work reasonably well for both starting and low amperage draws. The 6V golf cart battery is designed and built solely as a deep cycle battery and typically has a higher reserve to draw from in a 2 battery series system. Typically a 12V DC is 110 to 140 ah and the 6V that I use are 245 ah batteries. There are many opinions for and against, I just decided to try the 2 X 6V setup this time.

How I test for a parasitic draw:
Only attempt this if you are comfortable with 12V DC power systems.
One of the easiest ways I use to check/find a parasitic draw is too disconnect the negative terminal at the battery and put a 12V test light in series. When there is a draw the test light will light as it will complete the circuit.
Next step is too remove all 12V fuses in your distribution center, test light should be off once the fuses are removed.
Next reinsert one at a time until the test light turns on.
When the test light turns on, whatever is connected to that fuse is where your draw is coming from. There will probably be more than one circuit that will draw power, therefore don't leave any fuses in while testing in other words one fuse at a time and then check the test light, then on to the next fuse.
I'm not sure I did a good job on the clarity of this, if more clarity is required please PM or Post your question and I will do my best to explain further.

Hope this helps
Daryl B.
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Old 03-21-2012, 12:30 PM   #4
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Re: Wiring Diagram

Thanks! That will get me started. I will be adding solar panels and batteries this year. Too bad I already have two 12V batteries. I heard the 6V batteries give you more life. Even there the battery rack will only hold one battery. Where on the trailer could a person add another battery rack that is not inside a trailer compartment? Tongue weight is an issue.
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Old 03-22-2012, 03:01 AM   #5
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Re: Wiring Diagram

Absolutely nothing wrong with a 12V battery installation and with 2 of them your looking at 220 to 280 ah depending on battery make and group size. With regard to location, the only suggestion I can make is install a battery box on the back bumper. If you absolutely need to install in the inside storage, make sure it is a sealed box and vented to the outside. Also match the battery you have now and if the original one is more than a year old or been abused it will draw down the new battery, so you may lose capacity there. I found this one with a quick google:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-c ... vented.htm

Another suggestion prior to the solar installation would be get a battery monitor for this year and figure out your actual usage. In this way you will be able to properly dimension the system and won't be disappointed or go broke by under or over dimensioning your system. I bought the Bogart Engineering Trimetrics TM-2025-rv, I'm not recommending this just telling what I'm going to use there are many others on the market.

Daryl
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Old 03-31-2012, 12:06 PM   #6
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Re: Wiring Diagram

If I pull all the fuses is there a way I could measure draw using a multimeter across each fuse terminals? Would the amp setting (max 10 amp) tell me the draw or would I fry my meter?
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Old 03-31-2012, 03:35 PM   #7
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Re: Wiring Diagram

The meter needs to be in series, if you use it to complete the circuit you will pop the fuse in the meter or destroy the meter completely. Princess Auto or Canadian Tire have relatively cheap test lights available and it never hurts to have one in the trailer for this kind of testing.

Daryl
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Old 04-01-2012, 01:23 AM   #8
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Re: Wiring Diagram

Test light it is.
I will be using two 30 watt solar panels and one 20 watt panel this year. I will be looking into a monitor panel this year also. Thank you for the advice.
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Old 04-01-2012, 02:07 AM   #9
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Re: Wiring Diagram

Whose panel and charge controller are you going to use? Have you made any decisions on your monitor? Xantrex makes a decent one, here is the link: http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/p ... nitor.aspx
We use some of their equipment at work and I have one of their inverters in my work truck, been very reliable.

Daryl
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Old 04-01-2012, 03:21 AM   #10
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Re: Wiring Diagram

I am not sure, I liked the Borgart product line also. I have to find someone in Edmonton. So far I have only seen a Sunforce 30 amp controller at Canadian Tire. If you don't mind, who do you work for, sent me a MP. You sure know what you are talking about.
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Old 04-01-2012, 03:28 PM   #11
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Re: Wiring Diagram

I purchased my Trimetric from Wego Solar on Vancouver Island quite reasonable on price and shipping and they had the cable and shunt in stock. http://www.wegosolar.com/
On another note: I've worked for Rogers Comm. in various positions for 24 years. The first 10 I was in a Performance Management position, kind of a quality control person from Thunder Bay to Vancouver Island. For the last 14 years I've stayed closer to home and manage the commissioning, maintenance and repairs of 24 cellular and microwave facilities. Prior to all of that, out of college I specialized in automotive electrical in Winnipeg. I'm also kind of a technology buff and enjoy all things things new and geeky
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Old 04-03-2012, 12:25 PM   #12
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Re: Wiring Diagram

That says a lot. I can see that electronics would not be a problem for you. Thank you for the site information, it looks interesting. The prices are good and shipping is reasonable. Canadian Tire is not my first choice for tech equipment.
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Old 09-18-2012, 11:54 PM   #13
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Re: Wiring Diagram

I had a similar problem with my Dutchmen 5th wheel. After futzing around with my voltage tester and consulting with an expert about my converter, I realized that the problem was indeed with my converter, which was causing a small power leak. The components within the converter can go bad, in my case it was probably the transfer relays or the limiter resister that had gone bad. For me, the only practical solution was to get a converter upgrade kit, which I purchased from bestconverter.com.
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