5 replies to this topic

[SkiBum]

I recently picked up a new Hawk last week without solar and instead decided to rely on power from the truck while driving and shore power to charge the batteries for this first trip until we got back home and could get the solar figured out. 

 

We're driving a little every day (at least 1 hr.) and every second day 3-5 hrs. and I've realized the truck isn't doing a very good job of keeping the batteries charged. It got to the point where the voltage was down to 11.80 so we decided to spend a night where we had shore power for the first time to get things topped back up. 

 

Using the pigtail we plugged our extension cord into the 20 amp plug at the site and everything seemed to be working fine with the 120 volt house outlets on the front of the kitchen coming to life. The 12 volt silver master kill switch was pulled out as per the manual to allow for recharging of the battery through the 30 amp IOTA power converter.

 

When I plugged in the laptop to charge off the 120 volt outlet I noticed the voltage of the batteries dropping to 11.79 then 11.78 before it was charged. It looked like the shore power simply made the 120 volt outlet active but the power was still coming from the battery.

 

Went to bed hoping it would charge overnight and woke up to the battery voltage at 11.74.

 

Is there something simple I'm missing here on why the battery isn't charging off shore power?

 

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Sounds like your converter isn't working.   I would start by checking your fuses.   I believe there are several of them, including an inline fuse close to the battery.   Check them all with a multimeter.  Your owners manual should have information on fuse locations.  There may be one fuse that needs some effort to get to.

 

There is another thread on this topic, that I will post the link if I can find it.

 

Google this search, there are a number of threads on it.   wander the west: Iota converter

[Old Crow]

I see you have a 2018 Hawk so that leads me to this photo on page 58 of the (latest) manual....

 

 

Is that LED marked Converter on when you're on shore power?

 

I notice the manual doesn't specifically mention that circuit breaker or LED but the purpose of that breaker panel is to distribute shore (AC) power to your camper's AC circuits and the LEDs are there to indicate whether or not the circuit is live.  If the breaker serving your outlets is on but the one serving the converter is off, you'd have power to the outlets but no power to the Iota.

 

As to the camper battery reading dropping while you were charging the laptop via AC, no, that's not related.  The DC voltage was probably declining because of your LPG/CO detector and perhaps your use of the lights or the 12-volt outlet.

 

 

 

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[SkiBum]

Problem solved. I figured out where the converter was mounted and found an inline fuse that I could barely get my hands on that had blown. Just happen to have a 30 amp fuse in the tool kit and we're back in business.

 

Thanks for help and quick response. You made my family very happy as we sit in the scorching Utah sun.

 

This forum is a life saver!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Problem solved. I figured out where the converter was mounted and found an inline fuse that I could barely get my hands on that had blown. Just happen to have a 30 amp fuse in the tool kit and we're back in business.

Thanks for help and quick response. You made my family very happy as we sit in the scorching Utah sun.

This forum is a life saver!

Stop by NAPA or other parts place and pick up a couple of spares. It might happen again. Stay in the shade

[longhorn1]

Another thing to consider is getting a 30-amp cord and a surge protector. I got mine at Camping World. Get a surge protector for when you are plugged in at home. Get one with an on-off switch so you can plug everything in and then turn on. Prior to doing that I was tripping my home GFI and the GFI for the 110 in the camper

Edited by longhorn1, 15 July 2018 - 11:29 PM.