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Hi Vic, Thought this topic was long dead. I’m trying to recall the mess. I struggled with keeping the batteries charged for nearly two years before finally feeling comfortable. As for your question, I’m sure I did not drill through the roof. I replace the factory 90 watt panel with a Zamp...

Spitfire, I don't know if you have addressed this issue yet but I too have a Hawk with the 110 2-way fridge and no venting. This is wrong! There must be venting as per Dometic. Mine would overheat and cycle badly running the battery down pronto. It took two years to identify this as the core...

Frosty, If convenient, I too would like to check out your strut set up so that I might duplicate it on my 2013 Hawk. I am a Portland resident and can come by at your convenience. Thank you, Ted Sent from my iPad using Wander The West

Jason, Yes 160w is what I intended. I installed the SC2030 a couple of days ago. Ralph at Bogart sent some settings for my AGM 225ah 6v batteries that were much higher than I had been using and they appear to be charging much faster. It's been sitting with the fridge on and barely dropping...

Trailbob, Will your 160amp panel keep your batteries at 100% after a day's use? My biggest drain is the Dometic 110 2-way fridge. I've just finished adding the Bogart SC2330 solar charger to their Trimetric meter/controller. And have run 4 ga wire from the truck to the bed plug. I'm trying to...

Arrrg! So many options and approaches to keep ones electronic gear running. No wonder KOA is successful! Financially, one is better off making their decisions early on. Yet, those of us ignorant to the options and workings of RV electronics are obliged to run a gauntlet of choices that are not...

Well drat! My 2013 Hawk is also wired with 12ga not the 10 I thought. I'm sure to loose a certain percentage of energy by letting it choke the incoming amperage but I'm still moving forward with new controller and panel upgrades. I will try to determine the penalty for using the stock small...

Thanks all. The alternative paths argument makes good sense and the10ga sounds like more potential danger than its potential contribution. I'll simply replace it with a single 6ga wire. Any problem with using the 30 amp breakers currently used in the factory wiring? Most think there should be a...

I'd like to upgrade my old 85 watt panel with a 160 or 200 watt (2-100w) but I'm currently put off by the factory 10 ga wire. We are running a Trimetric 2030 and plan on installing their companion sc2030 controller which calls for 8 Ga wire from the panels to the controller. Because the current...

Jason, It has been suggested that the cable be fixed with screamer at each end. You mentioned what sounded like a single 60 amp a breaker (or fuse). As mentioned, I planned on leaving the factory installation intact complete with the two factory breakers, and adding the additional 6ga...

Thank you for the timely response. I've decided to leave the 10ga wire in place and add a second 6ga wife to the truck side Atwood plug which has 10ga pigtailed. The two yield a 5ga equivalent. 2 tens will produce like a 7 gauge. Because of the camper side is choked by 10 ga it shouldn't...

Mine was repeatedly coming loose so I attached it with a few spots of silicone seal. No more problem and the silicon spots are minimal if the gasket needs replacement Sent from my iPhone using Wander The West

Jason, Having not done many electrical upgrades it's a bit intimidating. That said, exploring independence which is what the FWC is for. As I'm serious about the upgrade in performance with improved charging, I might as well start with the wire ga. An stock isolator before purchasing the...

FOLLOW UP... ... and next phase. FWC agreed that our rig needed venting behind the fridge and did install both an upper and low vent at their dealership in Tigard ,Oregon. We added an additional Pancake fan wired to the compressor fan to push air out the top vent. Domestic service advice not...

Precisely! If wired improperly, the second battery is simply "jumped" from the first battery. Battery two then may not fully charge creating an imbalance that drags the fully charged one down during practical use. They become unbalanced over time with the one battery continually degrading the...

Jack, Than you for the informative post, much of which I have surmised over the last month. Yesterday we finished adding venting and an additional CPU Fan for the poor refrigerator. Previously their was virtually no venting. The camper has run off the 2-Exide batteries since yesterday...

Regarding the refrigerator venting, insulating and addition of fans. I finally found a local RV refrigerator wizard in Portland. An enlightening character who indeed pointed out how I was overthinking everything. He dissuaded me from adding additional insulation around the box and strongly...

Jim, about the insulation. I think I'm on the same page. I was thinking of attaching the insulation directly to the box below the cooling fins I was thinking of the u Insulation foam from Corning with foil on one side which I thought should face out away from the fridge..reflecting heat? As...

Mr. Grandby, Well, so far nothing has been fixed although I've convinced, myself at least, what's to be done. FWC has agreed that exterior fridge venting should be in place and committed to installing both upper and lower exterior vents. We are waiting for the vents to be shipped to Oregon...

Guys, As you have read, my Hawk was delivered with no outside venting for the Dometic 110 fridge and only about 12-15 sq inches inside. Undoubtedly this was at the root of my electrical cycling problem. With some great help from Jason (FWC Rep from Azusa Ca/Tigard, Or) FWC is installing new...

Craig 333, My 2013 Hawk was delivered without venting for my 2-way Dometic 110. I believe you have commented on my problem on the conversation: "Electrical Sleuth". FWC has offered to install venting with two fairly large vents to the side which, although should solve the overheating problem...

Grandby, OK, into it now. Adding upper and lower vents with access for cleaning. I'll add at least one quiet fan to run in unison with the one attached to the fridge compressor. I notice your fridge looks to be incased with a tufted looking insulation. Could you talk about that? Thanks, Ted

BATTERIES Admittedly I'm shy of using flooded batteries in my living compartment. Their location in my Hawk would also expose all other electronics and wiring to the gases. I've see plenty of corroded battery environments with floods batteries and both my wife and I feel quite anal about keeping...

Hey y'all, This from has been an education blast! At last i'm settling in on a strategy for resurrecting my Hawk's refrigeration and battery system and will start with introducing refrigeration venting where there is now all but non. To achieve the Dometic's recommended 36 Sq. inches, I am...

Grandby, Where is it your getting the 8 gauge kit for your fridge? As a stop gap for poor cooling, we've been using block ice in one drawer them turning the fridge off at night. We made frozen items last for 5 days albeit a bit soft at the end. If you use sealed batteries, I saw new large 6v...