So disappointed!

[jkszoo]

Readying my 1 month old Hawk for first trip and dead batteries. Everything works on shore power, kill switch off, but unable to get a charge and Four wheel camper closed until January 2. My time off ends on the 2nd. Such is life. Maybe not the smartest purchase for this old lady but I do love my rig and plan to get to FWC asap! After shore power all night camper showed full charge for about 3 minutes then nothing.

 

[rubberlegs]

Try turning on your kill switch, then charge the batteries from shore power. Hope that helps.

 

[pvstoy]

Charging from shore power only charges the battery when the Kill switch is in the on position, pulled out.

Plugged to shore power the inverter will supply 12 to run everything inside. Also provides 120 volt AC. Check circuit breakers are on.

 

[jkszoo]

Charging from shore power only charges the battery when the Kill switch is in the on position, pulled out.

Plugged to shore power the inverter will supply 12 to run everything inside. Also provides 120 volt AC. Check circuit breakers are on.

I knew I would get terminology wrong, it was pulled out, in ‘on’ position. Checked all breakers, even switched to off and back on as that is how I’ve always checked breakers. Appreciate the ideas. Read manual, watched videos, checked FWC website, Trying to find info on the victron monitor to see if that has any useful information, nothing in manual about the display.

 

[pvstoy]

If you have a hand held volt meter you can see what voltage the battery has. Maybe the monitors are not giving you the correct answers.

 

[jkszoo]

Definitely a job for FWC to investigate, sat in camper for awhile (no shore power) and camper briefly comes to life when sun comes out then goes dead again. Shows ‘charging’ but never charges. Going to turn kill switch off to be safe.

 

[pvstoy]

To get more people viewing your issues and providing help, this should be moved to a appropriate forum section. Moderators?

We are going to need more information and perhaps some images to show what system you have so we can see to help.

Are you comfortable using a volt meter and with members guidance doing some diagnosis to isolate the problem?

There might be a member nearby you that can assist?

Electrical can be anything from very simple like a fuse blown, loose wire to a defective part. There is going to be a lot of advice and things you are going to check. If you are not comfortable or afraid of doing further damage, I understand, It is ok to have FWC handle it. Is there a FWC dealer down where you live or they might have a FWC warrantee center that can have a look on their behalf?

 

[jkszoo]

To get more people viewing your issues and providing help, this should be moved to a appropriate forum section. Moderators?

We are going to need more information and perhaps some images to show what system you have so we can see to help.

Are you comfortable using a volt meter and with members guidance doing some diagnosis to isolate the problem?

There might be a member nearby you that can assist?

Electrical can be anything from very simple like a fuse blown, loose wire to a defective part. There is going to be a lot of advice and things you are going to check. If you are not comfortable or afraid of doing further damage, I understand, It is ok to have FWC handle it. Is there a FWC dealer down where you live or they might have a FWC warrantee center that can have a look on their behalf?

Good advice, think I’ll wait for FWC to open on the 2nd, since it is just 2 hours away and if it turns out to be a simple fix it will be a good lesson learned! Thanks to all for reading and sharing advice!

 

[pvstoy]

While you are there you might use your phone to either video or voice recorder to document it for review later. You may not remember everything they say or do.

Please come back here and let us know what was wrong.

This helps all of us to know and better help others and ourselves when experiencing similar situations.

Cheers, and good luck. Patrick

 

[jkszoo]

While you are there you might use your phone to either video or voice recorder to document it for review later. You may not remember everything they say or do.

Please come back here and let us know what was wrong.

This helps all of us to know and better help others and ourselves when experiencing similar situations.

Cheers, and good luck. Patrick

That is brilliant, thank you! I need all the help remembering I can get! And yes I surely will let you know what is up!

 

[Jon R]

Try not to get discouraged. It’s very likely it’s something simple, and once you have a good understanding of how the different parts of the electrical system work together and are controlled you will be confident using it.

 

[jkszoo]

Just to update, defective 1 month old batteries, heading up to Woodland (2.5 hours away) on the 7th to replace.

 

[AWG_Pics]

It is good to know you did everything right. Not much you can do to self repair a bad battery.

 

[jkszoo]

It is good to know you did everything right. Not much you can do to self repair a bad battery.

Yes and I learned a lot on my own! Spent time researching manuals online for charging equipment in camper, etc. FWC did call me back to ask I leave it on shore power 48 hours straight before my appointment, I’m sceptical but will do! Have had plenty of sun, driving and shore power but will follow instructions…several 24 hour charges over the past weeks with no results but who knows.

 

[buckland]

Glad you are getting to the bottom of this. I once had a bad (quality) battery... statistically it happens not so often but it does happen. Once the system is back and you are on the road you will be stronger for the experience!! Safe travels.

 

[craig333]

They're replacing a one month old battery kind of makes me think they got a bad batch of batteries. I doubt its just one.

 

[pvstoy]

So glad you are getting it worked out with FWC.

Now might be a good time to write down any questions you might need FWC to help you with regarding anything about the camper while your visit, having them captative to address your questions.

Then write the answers below so you can refer to them for guidance later. You can have your cell phone in your shirt pocket using a voice recorder and transcribe later when you have time.

How many times have we dealt with so many questions or many "how to do this" in a row that really, one can not remember exactly what was said. Just too much information to process.

Good luck at FWC.

 

[kmcintyre]

I hope this all was resolved. Kind of crazy a 1 month old battery would fail but I guess it can happen. Are these the new LifePO4 batteries?

 

[jkszoo]

I hope this all was resolved. Kind of crazy a 1 month old battery would fail but I guess it can happen. Are these the new LifePO4 batteries?

Yes, 2 1 month old.

 

[jkszoo]

Leaving FWC now! FYI, not the batteries! A hidden ground connection within black tubing had become loose! Crazy. Happy now!!!!