RT 190 house battery charging

[Jon_K]

The new house (aux) battery was completely discharged after 5 hours of travel. Refrigerator was on DC as the manual recommends. Weather was hot, about 100.

Should this be? Shouldn't the alternator have been able to keep up with the load from the refrigerator?
Should I be suspecting the battery separator? It's a Sure Power Industries 1315-200, 200 Amp
Should I ignore the manual and drive with the refrigerator on propane?

2008 Roadtrek 190 Popular
Battery is a new Optima AGM battery (can't remember the model)

[booster]

Originally Posted by Jon_K

The new house (aux) battery was completely discharged after 5 hours of travel. Refrigerator was on DC as the manual recommends. Weather was hot, about 100.

Should this be? Shouldn't the alternator have been able to keep up with the load from the refrigerator?
Should I be suspecting the battery separator? It's a Sure Power Industries 1315-200, 200 Amp
Should I ignore the manual and drive with the refrigerator on propane?

2008 Roadtrek 190 Popular
Battery is a new Optima AGM battery (can't remember the model)

It should keep up easily, we used to run our 3way on DC when we drove all the time (07, 190P) . Could be the separator, or I think there are some breakers in line also. No way you should be killing the battery with DC,unless you are sitting not running a lot.

[Steve_Guelph]

I agree with booster. Something is not right. After 5 hours of travel you should have a full charge even with the fridge on DC.

Steve

[Mike]

There are some items (mostly lights) that run off the 12V DC house batteries,
and aren't always visible when on. I think there's at least one in my driver's side
main/large storage bin. There's also the outside "porch" light, although you'd
probably notice it was on even in daylight. The CO detector and the propane
gas detectors also run off the house battery (in mine). The Fantatstic Fan or
any electronics will also draw on the house batts. If your TV/audio is always
plugged in, some will draw even if you're not watching it. There may be other
draws on your house battery, but to drain it in 5 hours, while driving, is odd.
Might be the separator. I had issues with my isolator, but the vehicle battery
was always the one to drain down. I replaced the isolator last winter. Been
fine since.

[Jon_K]

Replaced the battery separator. Now the system acts as it should. It connects the house battery to the car battery and alternator when the voltage hits 13.2. The real test will be the next long trip.

I got the separator through an internet order to All Battery Sales where it cost $101 + $10 shipping. Installation was very easy. However, the online documents from Sure Power Industries caution against mounting the separator in direct engine heat which is exactly where it is in a Roadtrek 190.

[Mike]

Mine needed replaced - it's attached to the frame below the engine so heat shouldn't be an issue while
moving, and should rise when at rest.
I do think there is another heat issue however, as the genset and exhaust system both run underneath
the sleeping area. If it's hot out, and you've been driving enough to get the exhaust glowing, takes
a while for the heat to dissipate and your tail end to cool down. We usually go for a walk when we stop
for the night to let things cool. Same with the genset. Mounted under the rear end. If we were to run
it for a while and heat it up to run the A/C, by the time we were cooled down and then turned it off, it
would start to reheat the back of the van.
Is your separator mounted higher up in the engine compartment? Just curious where they put them in newer
models.