Breakers

[GallenH]

Last trip up to high country the Victron read the LifeLine at 36% after 5 hours of driving. Since we wouldn't be driving much I put out the solar panel and was able to get it up to around 65%. Drive home got me up to 75%.

I want to double check the breaker on the charge line. I'm guessing that I should disconnect it's leads and check across the terminals for continuity. Is that reasonable?

Can an alternator begin to wane as opposed to just completely shutting down?

What about the isolator? Can it degrade to passing less from the alternator?

I'll check the engine battery tomorrow and see how that reads.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Glenn

[hbn7hj]

That is easy. Start the engine and check the voltages on each of the isolator studs. I’m sure you have already been there.

[GallenH]

Nope. Haven't done that yet. PW on the Dodge 3500 put the isolator where the vacuum canister originally was. To get to it you have to remove the driver's side headlamp and the body panel that covers the area between the headlamp down to the bumper. PITA. But a good recommendation.

Although.....I've had the PW plugged in since we got home and this morning I shut off the loads to the house battery and let it rest for a few hours. My Victron reading on the LifeLine is 66%/12.54 volts.

[GallenH]

BTW RE the 66%/12.54. LifeLine info states that a 12v battery at 100% should read 12.8 or more. At 75% it should read 12.5v. At 50%, 12.2v.

[GallenH]

BTW2: Shouldn't I be able to get a sense of the alternator voltage to the battery by checking it at the "charge line" breaker?

[hbn7hj]

Originally Posted by GallenH

BTW2: Shouldn't I be able to get a sense of the alternator voltage to the battery by checking it at the "charge line" breaker?

Yep. Can you access the alternator out at the alternator? Chassis battery at the battery?