Low voltage

[nstrns]

Purchased a new 2022 Passport 229rk with a solar panel and am having ongoing issues with 12v refrigerator throwing low voltage error once we connect to a towing vehicle. I understand solar and vehicle charging should work together or at same time. Refrigerator works fine when connected to shore power
and while left in storage (4 weeks now) with no power cord connection.
Any ideas or recommendations on what problem may be
and what to do?

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

I would make sure the charge line from the TV is actually working. You can do that with a volt/ohm meter. Google for wiring diagram.

[nstrns]

How does the charge line from TV affect low voltage error showing on refrigerator when camper connected to towing vehicle?

[chuckster57]

I don’t really know, but if the charge line isn’t working then 12V isn’t being sent to the battery. Just a starting point since that’s when the problem shows.

[JRTJH]

Without any intention of "insulting anyone", just to clarify:

The TV that Chuck is talking about is the "Tow Vehicle" not the "Television".

So the question, if literally read, "How does the charge line from TV affect low voltage error showing on refrigerator when camper connected to towing vehicle?"

The answer would be, "The television charge line has no impact on the refrigerator low voltage error fault, but the tow vehicle (TV) charge line may be causing a low voltage condition at the battery or inside the GiggyBox if there is a loose or corroded connection or a blown fuse in the tow vehicle system. It may not be the source of the problem, but definitely deserves a check to rule out the tow vehicle since that is when the condition occurs."

[chuckster57]

Thanks for the clarification John. Long week at work.

[nstrns]

Thank you. Sorry not so up on abbreviation lingo. We thought it may be our TV(tow vehicle) except it has happened with 2 other TV's so that eliminated out TV being the issue.
Received a RECALL notice today on the 200 Solar Panel on our camper with possibility of incorrect wiring which makes more since as being the issue. I appreciate your input and will let you know if the wiring is the cause.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Have you checked your battery voltage? It sounds low and may be absorbing too much of the charge from the tow vehicle.

[solv3nt]

There's a recall on my Keystone Hideout solar charger wiring. The voltage on the unit may have been set incorrectly, and the battery and PV inputs may have been swapped. Download and access the unit via Bluetooth and the VictronConnnect App to confirm.

[nstrns]

Took camper to an RV repair and they did the recall check on wiring per Keystone tech and said all is correct. Refrigerator has been working for almost 4 weeks now while NOT plugged to any kind of outside power, so will see what happens when we plug it back to a tow vehicle and take it down the road again.

[ChuckS]

I would. as already suggested measure Pin#4 on that 7 way plug on the truck side for power with truck running... If this reads well over 13 volts .. as it should with output from alternator I would then connect meter to the frdige 12 volt power source at its control board

Then connect the truck and observe the voltage reading... By doing this then you know what is or isn't occurring regarding overall 12 volt readings...

Also update your signature block to indicate the truck and RV year, make and models.. it helps these guys to help you quicker

[bigman73]

I read some people saying that Lithium batteries can damage the alternator , or that the battery's BMS make shutdown/disconnect due to overload and then the alternator would be damaged.

I'm seriously thinking of disconnecting the charge from the towing vehicle. I don't need it, the solar charge is powerful enough and not looking to have alternator issues.
I saw in the Giggy box that the Charge pin (from the 7-pin harness) can be disconnected.
Did anybody here try this? How does it affect the TV?