HappyCampers
Advanced Member
After reviewing dozens of relevant threads and troubleshooting, I realize our apparent problem is common among 4WC owners. But, our electrical needs are so minimal that the logical solution is less clear.
Here's the situation. Our 2011 Eagle camper sits on a 2006 Tacoma. We have owned it for 3ish years. The original AGM battery died over the past winter (yes, it lasted 10 years!). I immediately started researching battery replacement options, solar, electrical budgeting, etc... While I wavered back and forth on a LiFePO system, I concluded - perhaps incorrectly - that our current camper use/electrical use doesn't justify the expense this upgrade. For a variety of reasons, we have opted to limit electric use to lights and the water pump. That's right, just an ice box, no ceiling fans, etc...
So, I went with the in-kind AGM replacement from Costco and installed a Victron Smart Shunt as some WTM members recommend to monitor our battery. This thing is great! I can now observe the Iota system charge and tend the battery when connected to shore power. However, after drawing down the battery, my test of the truck/alternator charging illuminated a problem. The battery separator clicked open and closed a few times, allowing intermittent current flow, but then ceased to work. Revving the engine and tapping the unit with a screw driver handle (logical things, right?), had no effect.
Further drawing down the battery this weekend had still not encouraged the recharge system to kick in even briefly with the enine running. So, once we got home, I checked all wire connections with a tester to chase down the problem. Suspecting it might be the original Atwood 3 pin connection, I cleaned up the very oxidized exposed pins. Surprisingly, this fixed the issue (or so I thought) and 3-5 amps were consistently being delivered to the battery with engine running without clicking on and off. However, after turning the truck on and off a few times, the magic was gone and the battery separator was again aparently stuck in the open? position with no current flow to the camper battery.
My conclusion is that the wiring is sufficient enough to provide a recharge to the house battery given our minimal use (e.g. 1-2 days). But, the separator (Sure Power model 1314) can't be depended upon apparently. However, I'm also not certain if what I'm seeing has anything to do with the Tacoma possibly having a 'smart' alternator and I couldn't verify this from anywhere on the Web.
Considering our current and future electrical use, available space, and budget I'm stuck however. I understand that running larger gauge wiring, installing a better truck-camper connection point, and/or a DC-DC charger would accelerate the charging capacity and be 'future wise' if we upgrade to LiFePo in the future. The wire upgrade is not cheap, but easily doable and I'm convinced that replacing the existing connection with Anderson Powerpoles will be an improvement. However, I'm having a hard time justifying the additional expense of a DC-DC charger and I'm not seeing any great mounting options in the confined space of the Eagle given it gets hot.
I guess where I'm at with this is to ask for advice on whether I'm correctly understanding the issue and cogitating on the appropriate solutions. Secondly, I would appreciate input on whether it is wise/unwise to buy used components and a good source for wire, if that's even necessary.
Sorry for being long winded, but hopefully I've provided enough background.
Hope to hear from knowledgeable folks who have been down this road.
Thanks,
Chris
Here's the situation. Our 2011 Eagle camper sits on a 2006 Tacoma. We have owned it for 3ish years. The original AGM battery died over the past winter (yes, it lasted 10 years!). I immediately started researching battery replacement options, solar, electrical budgeting, etc... While I wavered back and forth on a LiFePO system, I concluded - perhaps incorrectly - that our current camper use/electrical use doesn't justify the expense this upgrade. For a variety of reasons, we have opted to limit electric use to lights and the water pump. That's right, just an ice box, no ceiling fans, etc...
So, I went with the in-kind AGM replacement from Costco and installed a Victron Smart Shunt as some WTM members recommend to monitor our battery. This thing is great! I can now observe the Iota system charge and tend the battery when connected to shore power. However, after drawing down the battery, my test of the truck/alternator charging illuminated a problem. The battery separator clicked open and closed a few times, allowing intermittent current flow, but then ceased to work. Revving the engine and tapping the unit with a screw driver handle (logical things, right?), had no effect.
Further drawing down the battery this weekend had still not encouraged the recharge system to kick in even briefly with the enine running. So, once we got home, I checked all wire connections with a tester to chase down the problem. Suspecting it might be the original Atwood 3 pin connection, I cleaned up the very oxidized exposed pins. Surprisingly, this fixed the issue (or so I thought) and 3-5 amps were consistently being delivered to the battery with engine running without clicking on and off. However, after turning the truck on and off a few times, the magic was gone and the battery separator was again aparently stuck in the open? position with no current flow to the camper battery.
My conclusion is that the wiring is sufficient enough to provide a recharge to the house battery given our minimal use (e.g. 1-2 days). But, the separator (Sure Power model 1314) can't be depended upon apparently. However, I'm also not certain if what I'm seeing has anything to do with the Tacoma possibly having a 'smart' alternator and I couldn't verify this from anywhere on the Web.
Considering our current and future electrical use, available space, and budget I'm stuck however. I understand that running larger gauge wiring, installing a better truck-camper connection point, and/or a DC-DC charger would accelerate the charging capacity and be 'future wise' if we upgrade to LiFePo in the future. The wire upgrade is not cheap, but easily doable and I'm convinced that replacing the existing connection with Anderson Powerpoles will be an improvement. However, I'm having a hard time justifying the additional expense of a DC-DC charger and I'm not seeing any great mounting options in the confined space of the Eagle given it gets hot.
I guess where I'm at with this is to ask for advice on whether I'm correctly understanding the issue and cogitating on the appropriate solutions. Secondly, I would appreciate input on whether it is wise/unwise to buy used components and a good source for wire, if that's even necessary.
Sorry for being long winded, but hopefully I've provided enough background.
Hope to hear from knowledgeable folks who have been down this road.
Thanks,
Chris