Battery Not Charging

Ramblinman

Ramblinman

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Joined
Aug 26, 2011
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Location
Alberta, Canada
Hi,

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction here.

Just got my greasy mitts on my new to me 2010 Hawk. I have it on a 1998 Chev. It has been wired from the truck to the camper using a 2 Wire System and all of the appliance work fine. BUT ... the camper battery does not charge when the truck is running. For some reason I cannot get a charge reading from the truck alternator

- Shore power does charge the camper battery 13.1 Volts is when charged.

- The Volt meter shows charging from the 2 truck batteries all the way up to the two wire connection.

_ Volt meter reads 14 Volts when the truck is running at the two truck batteries.

I am wondering is the fact that I am using a two wire hook up as opposed to the factory 7 Pin the cause of my truck alternator not charging the camper battery.

Thanks

Jason
 
Check your master power switch. It must be on to allow the truck to charge the battery I believe. (I could be wrong.) Seems like this is how mine works.
 
Check your master power switch. It must be on to allow the truck to charge the battery I believe. (I could be wrong.) Seems like this is how mine works.



Thanks. Tried that ... no dice. Incidently FWC User Manual states that the battery should charge with the master switch in or out.

Any other ideas?
 
Also, can anyone tell me where the battery isolator for the camper is located? My Hawk came with the Aux Battery Package.
 
_ Volt meter reads 14 Volts when the truck is running at the two truck batteries.

Whats it say at the camper batteries, where you're actually wanting a charge?

I am wondering is the fact that I am using a two wire hook up as opposed to the factory 7 Pin the cause of my truck alternator not charging the camper battery.


Nope.
 
Start working backwards then, you camper batteries aren't seeing the truck. Check fuses, connections, whatever isolater system you're using. When you find what component(s) have the 12.5V of the camper on oneside and 14ish of the truck on the other you'll have your issues.
 
Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be breaking in to the cabinets. Looks like the problem is between the battery and the truck/camper connection.
 
Your problem might be the Sure Power 1314 used in the 2010 Hawks. That is what was in mine and it's a 2010.

It is located behind the panel located under the thermosat as in this picture. The panel is behind the cushion.
solar7.JPG

Here is a picture with the panel removed. The Sure Power 1314 unit is located behind the grounding bar (with all of the ground connections).
solar6.JPG

Hope the pictures help.

Here is the manual for the Sure Power 1314:
View attachment Sure Power 1314.pdf
 
Your problem might be the Sure Power 1314 used in the 2010 Hawks. That is what was in mine and it's a 2010.

It is located behind the panel located under the thermosat as in this picture. The panel is behind the cushion.
View attachment 14778

Here is a picture with the panel removed. The Sure Power 1314 unit is located behind the grounding bar (with all of the ground connections).
View attachment 14779

Hope the pictures help.

Here is the manual for the Sure Power 1314:
View attachment 14781


Thanks for the post that is a big help.
 
Thanks for the post that is a big help.


There was a recall on these units. You might want to check and see if yours was included in the recall.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/4883/
 
You might also check the plug-in cord from the camper to the truck for corrosion.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/6146/
 
Thanks for the info! I think I have narrowed it down the infamous Sure Power Battery Separator. One is supposed to be shipped. 4 weeks for delivery.
 
Thanks for the info! I think I have narrowed it down the infamous Sure Power Battery Separator. One is supposed to be shipped. 4 weeks for delivery.

I know I sound like a broken record,but I have found the battery isolator to be the far better unit.It doesn't get hot and a plus it will charge the truck battery through a solar panel,if you have one.
Just another opinion to think about.
Frank
 
Ok, I received the new and improved Sure Power Battery Separator and installed exactly the same way the old one was. When I start the truck it shows a charge everywhere until after the current runs through the battery separator. From what I can tell no charge is going to the camper battery.

I have one battery dedicated to the truck and an auxiliary installed under the engine compartment as well. They are wired through a standard automotive isolator that is installed on the fire wall. After that a standard two wire system (White and Black) move to the camper. My intent is to use the Auxiliary battery under the hood and the camper battery in unison to power the camper.

Is this because it is fully charged and the separator is not allowing the charge or should it show a charge going to the battery full time?

From the battery to the Sure Power there is a light two light gauge wires (Red/Black) going from the battery. The red goes to the sure power and the black goes to a sliver bar fastened in front of the separator. Is this the way it should be?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Higher end of 13 (13.7-9)


Where at the camper battery? If so what is it at the alternator or main battery? If the same there your system seems to charge low or something, if higher there (14+) then you're seeing voltage drop. If the camper battery is rather low the voltage drop could be a sign of higher amps and understandable if fully charged already (or close) then something in your system is causing a drop. Walk along with that volt meter to see what numbers you have where.
 
The Numbers:

Alternator: 14.60
Dedicated Starting Battery: 14.66
Auxiliary Batt under the hood: 14.45
Solenoid Under the hood: 14.42
Truck Camper Connection (2 Wire): 14:35
Sure Power Separator (Wires coming in): 14.33
Black Wire coming into Sure Power and red going out to camper batt: 27.51?????
Black wire and Red wire that leads from Separator to Camper Batt: 13.81
Camper Battery: 13.22
The Camper was plugged into AC until I began taking the readings.

I just installed the Separator through the sure power recall. It fastened the wires as they were from the factory in so far as no one tampered with it. I heard the sure power click when I first installed. I am wondering if I have to let the battery drain to a certain level before it will start charging?

Appreciate the help.
 
What makes you think there is no charging going on to your camper battery?

Voltages seem fine though the 0.5V drop across the Separator seems high. Not sure the 27V reading is valid. Looks like you managed to read 2 12V batteries in series, not parallel. Given everything else looks decent, not sure why you would see 27V which might indicate the last battery is wired backwards. You would need to note the polarity of each voltage measurement and wire color and ensure nothing is fishy there.
 
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