2021 Scamp Battery Questions

[Gail-SLC]

After our last adventure some battery questions came up:
1) When connected to shore power, should the battery switch be turned on or off to charge the battery?
2) Our solar panels' fuse blew multiple times. What are reasons for this? Could excessive moisture cause this? Cold temperatures?
3) When boondocking, and using solar panels, our voltage is around 12.5-12.9 during sunny daytime. When either no sun or evening, it drops to 11.2-11.9. Occassionally to 10.8. Is this typical or is there a problem?
4) When we have an extended period of disuse, we put the battery on a trickle charger. Is there any issues with leaving it plugged in for the winter?
Thank you, Gail

[John DL]

1 the battery switch should be on to charge. This connects it to the trailer charger (converter)

2. This can be involved to track down. Generally poor wiring or shorted wiring. Moisture could contribute but only if it has a way into the electrical system. Could be broken or cracked components. Others with a similar system will probably jump in here with more help

3. Your voltage readings. The 12.5 to 12.9 in full sun sounds OK. Some will go a little higher. However the no Sun readings as low as 10.8 may be a problem. These readings imply you have a standard lead acid battery. Not lithium. When there is no sun your voltage reading is just measuring the battery voltage. A lead acid battery will be damaged if drawn below 12 volts. 10 volts is a dead battery. It may temporarily have a reading below 12 volts under a load, such as the water pump turning on but should rise when it shuts off. Small loads such as a light build will lower the reading a little but 10.8 is very low. Let the battery rest for a while without any load and not connected to shore power or your solar. A full battery will be slightly above 12 volts and it should never fall below 12 volts for maximum battery health and longevity.

4. If you have a good trickle charger, one they automatically switches to a maintenance mode when the battery is charged, that should be fine. Really a battery maintainer is what is needed for storage. These put out a smaller voltage and will not overcharge and damage the battery. Many but not all trickle chargers have this automatic function. You will have to check for that on the specific one you have.

Happy Halloween

[sunnyone]

Our 2020 Scamp has a power converter/charger under the back driver’s side bench. (It’s a PD9245C Inteli-power converter/charger w/ built-in Charge Wizard.) I would think your 2021 would have one too. If so, you can leave it plugged in when your Scamp is idle, and it will keep your battery charged, without overcharging it.

[Gail-SLC]

Thanks for the info.

[Dale Thompson]

In full sun you should have a battery voltage around 13.6 volts once your batteries are fully charged. That is the float voltage. When the batteries are charging, you should see voltages around 14.2 volts. What you are describing tells me that something is disconnected. Voltage at night should not be allowed to go below 12.0 to avoid battery damage.

[Dale Thompson]

In full sun you should have a battery voltage around 13.6 volts once your batteries are fully charged. That is the float voltage. When the batteries are charging, you should see voltages around 14.2 volts. What you are describing tells me that something is disconnected. Voltage at night should not be allowed to go below 12.0 to avoid battery damage.