Checking charging from engine/alternator Roadtrek 210

[mangomike]

I took a look at the archives and have not found a clear answer to my question which is.
Do I have to disconnect the positive and negative lead from the engine to my house batteries in order to check to see if there is a charge coming from the engine alternate.
To put this another way if I put a voltmeter on to my house batteries before the engine is started,,, and they are charged,, I believe it should read 12 .7 or something like that. Now my question is,,, if I start the motor will the voltage jump because the engine/alternator is sending (if the system is working properly) juice to the house batteries.
Not that disconnecting the batteries is such a big deal,,, but it would be nice if I could simply put a voltmeter to the batteries and when the engine started I would be able to tell if the system is sending juice.
I hope I made my question clear???
Thanks for any help
Michael

[booster]

Originally Posted by mangomike

I took a look at the archives and have not found a clear answer to my question which is.
Do I have to disconnect the positive and negative lead from the engine to my house batteries in order to check to see if there is a charge coming from the engine alternate.
To put this another way if I put a voltmeter on to my house batteries before the engine is started,,, and they are charged,, I believe it should read 12 .7 or something like that. Now my question is,,, if I start the motor will the voltage jump because the engine/alternator is sending (if the system is working properly) juice to the house batteries.
Not that disconnecting the batteries is such a big deal,,, but it would be nice if I could simply put a voltmeter to the batteries and when the engine started I would be able to tell if the system is sending juice.
I hope I made my question clear???
Thanks for any help
Michael

You should be able to check the voltage at the coach batteries at any time, engine on or engine off and see what is going on, with nothing disconnected.


12.7v is fine with coach not running, and if it is a post 2003 Roadtrek 210, you would probably see 13.7-14.5v at the coach batteries with engine running.


If you don't see the voltage go up when the engine is on, there are a limited number of things to go wrong so should be relatively easy to find out what is going on.


* Check the voltage the isolator or separator that sends the power to the coach. It is under the hood, probably just to the driver side of center on the firewall. It should have in and out if a separator and one in and two out if it an isolator. You should see charging level voltages on all two or three big connections with the engine running.


* There will also be a single or double auto reset circuit breaker just after the isolator or separator and they are very common failure points. Check voltage in and out.


* There will be another single or double breaker just before the coach batteries on the other end of the cable. Same deal check voltage in and out.


* If you don't find the issue there, start checking for bad connections in all the wiring from wherever you see the voltage drop from charge voltage with the engine running.


Roadtrek changed from isolators to separators in the 2008-2009 range on 210s, so that would determine which you have.


You may want to look at the Roadtrek power simulator that is referenced many places on here, to see how it all works, as it is interactive.

[engnrsrule]

I would recommend adding a battery monitor like those from Victron. Using a shunt they measure a variety of battery paramenter and will give accurate info on charging, drain and remaining power.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by engnrsrule

I would recommend adding a battery monitor like those from Victron. Using a shunt they measure a variety of battery paramenter and will give accurate info on charging, drain and remaining power.

Yes. Some of the monitors (including our Trimetric) can show a second voltage value. By comparing the house and the chassis voltages, you can always tell what is going on wrt chassis charging.

[Sehc]

Easy answer. Yes, measuring an increased voltage when the engine is running indicates the house battery is charging. What is not answered is how much charge, measured in amperes. Having a battery monitor, as posted above, would help you know the state of charge. Check this for an inexpensive unit; https://marinehowto.com/installing-a-battery-monitor/
There are also hand held meters that can measure DC amperes. Here: https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...amp-volt-meter

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

I have a Zamp Solar Panel system.... and asked them about the "monitor" showing the current voltage status?

They told me that these "displays" are being discontinued... their new monitors will NOT display the voltage.... they don't have enough accuracy.... I was surprised by how candid they were, but, appreciated how honest they were.....


They recommend the Victron BMV 712 to all of their clients.... I'm glad I got one of these... works perfectly... and want to personally thank Booster for bringing this to my attention..... Booster.... Happy New year....- Mark

[xtrakr]

Originally Posted by booster

You should be able to check the voltage at the coach batteries at any time, engine on or engine off and see what is going on, with nothing disconnected.


12.7v is fine with coach not running, and if it is a post 2003 Roadtrek 210, you would probably see 13.7-14.5v at the coach batteries with engine running.


If you don't see the voltage go up when the engine is on, there are a limited number of things to go wrong so should be relatively easy to find out what is going on.


* Check the voltage the isolator or separator that sends the power to the coach. It is under the hood, probably just to the driver side of center on the firewall. It should have in and out if a separator and one in and two out if it an isolator. You should see charging level voltages on all two or three big connections with the engine running.


* There will also be a single or double auto reset circuit breaker just after the isolator or separator and they are very common failure points. Check voltage in and out.


* There will be another single or double breaker just before the coach batteries on the other end of the cable. Same deal check voltage in and out.


* If you don't find the issue there, start checking for bad connections in all the wiring from wherever you see the voltage drop from charge voltage with the engine running.


Roadtrek changed from isolators to separators in the 2008-2009 range on 210s, so that would determine which you have.


You may want to look at the Roadtrek power simulator that is referenced many places on here, to see how it all works, as it is interactive.

============================================
I have a 2007 Popular 210, with the Isolator, it won't charge the house batteries from the alternator. I don't see any breakers near the isolator or the batteries. Have charging voltage at all posts on isolator. My schematic does not show any breakers inline to the battery? thanks xtrakr

[booster]

Originally Posted by xtrakr

============================================
I have a 2007 Popular 210, with the Isolator, it won't charge the house batteries from the alternator. I don't see any breakers near the isolator or the batteries. Have charging voltage at all posts on isolator. My schematic does not show any breakers inline to the battery? thanks xtrakr

Here is the owners manual for a 2207 210 with and isolator from Roadtrek site.


file:///C:/Users/lever/AppData/Local...210_models.pdf


Check page E7 for electrical diagram, as it shows a 50 amp (it will be auto resetting most likely) breaker on each end of the isolator to coach battery. It will probably be a 1"X2" little can with two connections on the top, or may two 25 amp ones together. You probably have a failure of one of them as that is pretty common,

[markopolo]

RT used this type of breaker for several years:

Should be two of them, one near the isolator and the other might be inside the RV with the other electrical components like the battery disconnect and inverter etc.

[xtrakr]

Originally Posted by booster

Here is the owners manual for a 2207 210 with and isolator from Roadtrek site.


file:///C:/Users/lever/AppData/Local...210_models.pdf


Check page E7 for electrical diagram, as it shows a 50 amp (it will be auto resetting most likely) breaker on each end of the isolator to coach battery. It will probably be a 1"X2" little can with two connections on the top, or may two 25 amp ones together. You probably have a failure of one of them as that is pretty common,

==============================================

Thank you for the quick replies, truly appreciate the help. Not sure i am typing in the right place. But i did get an answer. So thanks again. Will check those items, i see similar ones on the isolator itself.

[JohnnyFry]

One point: on my 2008C210P, at least, RT placed the second breaker in a small metal box mounted forward of the passenger side rear wheelwell behind the battery box...not an easy place to get to! Two breakers are necessary to protect the charging line because it can receive power from each end.