B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Feb 23, 2021 14:25:47 GMT -5
Nov 2020: Bought camper 2021 STT272VRK (bought in Ohio so a bit of an ordeal to get into local dealer. We did buy our old camper with the local dealer so that helped. I called every week to get it in. I think they got tired of me calling)
February 2021: Finally got our camper into the dealer in VA as we were not able to run off of 12 volt battery 2021 STT272VRK.
Frustrating News: 12 volt system. We cannot run off 12 volt battery e.g. camp at National Parks with no power. Dealer said you have to be plugged into power with a 12 volt frig. I said something is wrong. No way. We have to be able to run off battery. So they are calling Venture. More to come as this unfolds.
EDIT 4/6/21: Unable to run off of battery until KZ can find a resolution. Be sure to check your unit before taking possession unless you always plan to use shore power. Off grid solar is a trickle charge. Venture very responsive. Venture Customer support told me TT was not built to run off of battery and I blew up. Venture General Manager ended up calling me, Dave Boggs, and will work through the issues with communication of parties, camper, and truck. Wonderful conversation. Ended up running a 10 gauge wire direct to IRV panel we were able to run off of battery.
Edit 6/7/21: Taking camper back in for 3rd time on 6/10/21. Conv fuse breaker tripping and camper acting like it did before slides not going in/out, panel blanking out.... one day the dealer and Venture will figure this out.
Edit 6/25/21: Just maybe Venture and IRV discovered a bug in panel software version 10 (which is what we have). According to dealer, Venture/IRV is mailing (thought it would be electronic) the dealer latest software version and just maybe this will fix our TT issues.
Edit 7/21/21: Picked up TT yesterday; couldn't test it out as they put another trailer next to ours and couldn't get steps down and it was not located next to 30 or 50 amp outlet. Got TT home tested this morning and everything seems fine. The panel is not blanking out when taking slides in/out and main cabin lights are staying on. I may have one issue with front bedroom slide on 30 amp - it stops when all the way out and does not click; I have to push the panel button to get that one little click to know it's out (it doesn't do this on battery just 30 amp). But other than that the software upgrade seems to resolved our main issues finally. We need to test more and we camp next end of August but for now the software upgrade has sure resolved a number of issues.
Edit 10/14/21: Converter breaker was tripping periodically starting in August and challenges with master bedroom slide. Took camper back in late Sept and got "Little Coup" back home today Oct 14. Hopefully between the IRV panel software update and converter replacement this will be the end of our challenges.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2021 15:14:33 GMT -5
That does not sound right, it should run off propane and 12 volt without being plugged into shore power. Sounds to me there is something wrong and the technician that is working on it can't figure it out so his only response is you will have to plug it in for the fridge to work. I've owned several RV's over the years and they have all worked with propane and 12 volt. We have ordered your exact model from a local dealer and we are supposed to be taking delivery in late March. Along with your slide issue this is another item i will check before signing on the dotted lines. This is unacceptable in my opinion. Hold your ground and don't give up. I'm sorry you are having to go through this.
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Feb 23, 2021 16:49:12 GMT -5
Yes, a 12 volt frig no propane for frig for our 2021 STT272VRK. It was a surprise when we picked up the camper. I can't even get the slides out without shore power. I sure hope they can figure Venture and the dealer can figure this out. We love the unit otherwise.
FYI we had a leak test done too while warranty work was being done and the 2021 STT272VRK was totally sealed.
|
|
dwk
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 16
|
Post by dwk on Feb 24, 2021 11:52:49 GMT -5
From my 190VRB, the 12V only connects to the LED lights as all sockets are 110V. The fresh water pump is also 12v. The fridge, stove and water heater are powered by the propane.
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Feb 25, 2021 8:31:07 GMT -5
Ya we can run off of shore power but we can't run off of the battery... or so it seems. Trying to get Venture and dealer to determine what we're doing wrong but right now can't even get the slides out after the battery has been charged. Frustrating but we will get through it. We love the layout and size of this camper. Really hard to find a king size bed and bench in bedroom for beagles in something around 30 feet.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2021 15:00:24 GMT -5
Hi, B&N ... Reluctant to wade into something that's already in the works, but this might be an answer or two to your questions. First off, the standard 10 CU FT Touring refrigerator runs on 12V and 110V if plugged into shore power, but does NOT run on LP. The optional 8 CU FT Touring refrigerator runs on LP and 110V, but NOT 12V. Don't know which one you have, but that might be your issue. The way to tell them apart is to open the refrigerator door, and if you see a filter cartridge at the very top, you have the standard 8 CU FT refrigerator, which runs on 12V and 110V. Concerning your inability to run your slides or anything else off 12V, there is a red battery disconnect knurled knob on board (probably in a storage compartment). If that knob is turned to "disconnect" nothing on your trailer will work using 12V. It's there to avoid unintended draw on your battery. Hope this helps, Michael
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2021 15:55:43 GMT -5
B&N, That battery shutoff can also be located on the outside of the trailer, on the tongue. Thanks again, Michael
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Feb 25, 2021 20:19:27 GMT -5
Global Moderator... we have the 2021 STT272VRK, it's at the dealer so can't check the frig right now. I believe we have the 10CU FT runs on 12 V or 110 if plugged in and does not run on LP. We wanted LP but Venture built it without LP as we like to camp at local National Parks that don't have power or water.
Battery disconnect: Yes we know where the battery shutoff is and do turn the battery disconnect to run of battery and that is when everything goes down hill. Monitor panel will show full then I try to put slides in/out they won't go.
Dealer is contacting Venture. Dealer initially said it's because the refrigerator is draining battery. But I don't understand how a battery drains almost immediately. Then dealer said I could only run things if hooked to shore power (which I said I don't believe). And I even have an email from Venture customer support saying the units are built for shore power. So the responses/communications are really frustrating. I would think I should be able to run off battery for a day using just the basics. Get the slides out/in, run frig and maybe a few lights.
I'm hoping we can figure out what it is or what we are doing wrong. That's why I've got in to the dealer in Richmond VA.
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Feb 26, 2021 19:17:50 GMT -5
Okay so dealer said they had no issues and slides were working fine. So I drove over this afternoon, went to the camper, turned the battery disconnect off then on. Went to the monitor panel and the slides didn't go out. They started and stopped, started and stopped. Dealer had the disconnect open/green the whole time when using shore power and never moved the disconnect switch. So at least I replicated the issue. Letting them figure this out but I'd be looking at the disconnect switch, wiring, fuse, etc. Battery dropped from 90% to 80% to 60% in less than 5 minutes according to monitor panel. So I'm sure glad, I went as its over an hour drive, and replicated our problem.
|
|
|
Post by WrkrBee on Mar 1, 2021 21:34:56 GMT -5
Norcold fridge 11.15 Dometic fridge 15.5 My notes, from another forum, say refrigerators draw 11 to 15 amp hours. So if you have a 150 amp hour battery, and you can only use 50% so you don't damage your battery, the Dometic fridge could run for about 5 hours. Not sure what your fridge pulls and what size your battery is. Many campers are coming with only 12v refrigerators now. Another cost benefit for the manufacturer, since they don't have to run propane and AC to the fridge. Matters not how it affects the customer.
|
|
marjim
Weekender RV’er
Retired EE, Vietnam Vet, God, Faith, Family & Flag. St. Louis area
Posts: 99
|
Post by marjim on Mar 2, 2021 21:01:02 GMT -5
I installed my own MARINE ON/OFF switch on my 190VRBV. (Same as I use for my old 66 Mustang) It shuts off the power from the battery to everything else. If my batteries are topped off and I am on shore power, I leave it off. After a few days, if I need to, I'll turn the batteries on and let them top off again. I really don't want to face a low battery issue. *(I dont even have sliders)
|
|
|
Post by fotohouse65 on Mar 31, 2021 7:59:28 GMT -5
@ B&N, Have you figured this out?
We just recently purchased a ST312VIK, 12V fridge. We also have the Off Grid Solar package so things are slightly different. I had some of the same issues as you when doing an initial setup at home to check all of the systems the way we plan on using them.
Power Jack was very slow once I disconnected from the tow vehicle. Slides went out but also slower than our previous trailer. Power stabilizers finished the battery before I got to the 4th one.
I then connected the shore cord and left the trailer connected to the house power for about a week, the onboard solar control panel showed the batteries were now charged to 14.7V (for my Solar application I have added a second battery so realize I will have more duration of the 12V system).
Now on Monday I disconnected the shore cord to test the Solar and 12V system.
Day 1) I let the system run the fridge with the setting in the "off grid" mode on the temperature dial. By 7:30 PM the batteries were showing 13.5V charge. At 6:00 AM, just before dawn they showed 12.6V charge and the Fridge was still cold/frozen.
Day 2) I set the furnace to 65 Deg to run the blower (temp during the day was @ 50 and dropped to 28 overnight. When I checked it at 7:30 I was showing 12.7V charge on the batteries, by 6:00 AM the charge was down to 12.3V.
Don't know if maybe your battery wasn't fully charged or if the tow vehicle wasn't charging the trailer battery when connected. I am also wondering if something is creating a dead short and thus draining the battery much faster than normal; This is a concern I also have as I was surprised I could not complete the initial setup of the trailer battery.
Keep us informed of the resolution to your problem.
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Mar 31, 2021 13:11:25 GMT -5
Ya still working on it... have been posting on the SportTrek Touring thread.... we did put on a Victron battery monitor and frig being 1/3 full and a 50 degree day pulled about 8ah per hour. So with the battery that came with camper, which I believe has 81ah the battery would be dead after 10 hours at that rate. On hot days, I understand the frig would pull about 14ah per hour. We still have a 12 volt issue and Venture thinks it is the large slide motor. Going back in 4/8 to hopefully try a new one and see if that fixes our issue. The dealer thinks the issue is in the panel something to do with a second component under the sink that is clicking when running on 12 volt. Our 2021 STT272VRK was in for 2 weeks for diagnostics and we picked it up to camp with shore power still can't run off of battery. Dealer was then repaving their lot so going back 4/8.
On batteries, we're considering 2 - 6volt, someone told me to look at Trojan batteries with a high ah... but also going to look at lithium as you can draw those all the way down and half the weight but very costly. We're also considering the additional tongue weight, equalizer hitch rating and payload on our truck so working through that too. And we keep learning along the way. But we're definitely going to want solar and probably a small generator. But we may upgrade our Ford truck and use it's power to charge a battery if we needed to. So it's a mixed bag of tricks. :-) Our goal is to work through it over the next year so when my husband retires we've got it worked out.
|
|
B&N
Seasonal RV’er
2021 272VRK
Posts: 229
|
Post by B&N on Apr 5, 2021 8:03:35 GMT -5
Okay, I'm really frustrated now. Just (4/5 8:00 am) got an email from KZ Customer Support tech that is working with dealer on our 2021 STT272VRK. Bottom line (KZ customer support): Can't run off battery to get slides out. Unit built to be run on Shore Power. This is not what we were told or not advertised online this way. You have to have 30 amp. So you can't get main slide out even when connected to the tow vehicle. So working on it.....
|
|
|
Post by fotohouse65 on Apr 5, 2021 8:12:04 GMT -5
Okay, I'm really frustrated now. Just (4/5 8:00 am) got an email from KZ Customer Support tech that is working with dealer on our 2021 STT272VRK. Bottom line: Can't run off battery to get slides out. Unit built to be run on Shore Power. This is not what we were told or not advertised online this way. You have to have 30 amp. So you can't get main slide out even when connected to the tow vehicle. I'm livid to be finding this out now when we bought in November ... neither the dealer nor KZ informed us until today. The Venture Touring are built to run on shore power! Wow, not good, especially since they offer an "OFF THE GRID SOLAR PACKAGE". What is the point of solar if you have to connect the shore power cord? ? Something is not adding up.I feel your frustration.
|
|