Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-08-2018, 09:01 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 1,377
House batteries not charging while driving

Got a new-to-me 1998 Chevy smb. It has 2 house batteries to run the fridge and other stuff. The batteries charge great when connected to shore power. However they don’t charge while driving. I located the battery isolator smb installed under the hood and only 2 of the 4 posts have anything connected. It appears the previous owner bypassed the isolator to connect the starting battery directly with the alternator, hence why the batteries don’t charge off the alternator.

My question is this: how do I actually test to figure out what is going on? I have a multimeter, but no idea how to use it or even which setting to set it on. Then I don’t know what to touch the little probes to or what I’m looking for when I do.

I’m concerned the isolator went bad so they previous owner bypassed it, but he could have bypassed it simply because he didn’t drive much and was constantly plugged into shore power.

Please help me learn!

Grampswrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 09:04 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 1,377
This is what my multimeter looks like.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0937.jpg
Views:	4
Size:	91.5 KB
ID:	21460
Grampswrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 10:11 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Bbasso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 1,258
Probably best to hire a 12v tech to get it right again.
And strongly consider a Bluesea 7622.
__________________
Rob.
Current:
2001 E350 PSD w/ a bunch of stuff.
And had three other E350s...
Bbasso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 11:11 AM   #4
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
try reading this and post back if you still need help. My suggestion is to ditch the isolator and go with a Blue Sea separator.


http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ches-7991.html
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 11:15 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
boywonder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
Grampswrx: I can help you out.....drive the rig over.....


I'd also consider the Blue Sea 7610 ACR if you are on a budget. About $80
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
boywonder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 11:54 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
arctictraveller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,234
Getting to know your multimeter is very worthwhile. Here is a start

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials...e-a-multimeter
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
arctictraveller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 12:00 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 1,377
I was trying to avoid having to run new wiring by switching to the blue sea. But that’s probably the best thing to do.
Grampswrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 12:01 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 1,377
Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder View Post
Grampswrx: I can help you out.....drive the rig over.....


I'd also consider the Blue Sea 7610 ACR if you are on a budget. About $80


I may take you up on that! Heading to Baja on Wednesday, so I’ll probably take a cooler and make that work for the weekend. I’ll see if we can set something up when I get back! Thanks!
Grampswrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 12:13 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
arctictraveller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,234
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grampswrx View Post
I may take you up on that! Heading to Baja on Wednesday,
Wow, isn't there a heat wave going on? I'd be interested to hear how your trip works out.
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
arctictraveller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2018, 12:31 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Scalf77's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 2,490
This thread has a procedure for testing an isolator (Post #7). also pictures in following post.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ues-20410.html

-greg
__________________
-greg
__________________________________________________ ______________
"Goldilocks" 2020 Ford Transit High Roof Extended 3.5 EcoBoost AWD Homebuilt
Scalf77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.