xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Dec 4, 2020 19:11:16 GMT -5
My original thread inquiry was under the General category and opening here under Sporttrek Touring. When we picked up our camper the monitor panel read for battery % FF which just didn't seem right to me but was told it meant battery is charged. After talking to the dealer and then KZ/Venture customer support we discovered it's not a Lippert monitor, not a KIB monitor, but an iRVC1 monitor (which was a surprise to the Venture tech team). Got an email today from iRVC1 along with the owners manual and in the email stated FF meant the battery is fully charged. What we are learning is FF really means the battery is charging when plugged in or it could mean the battery is fully charged when no plugged in. If we put on our battery charger it will read like 60% and the monitor panel will read FF. So FF is either fully charged or in the process of charging. Now we're testing other components like the heater and the battery % on panel dropped to 30%. When I shut down the heater the panel jumped to 50%. We put on our battery charger and it showed 60%. So going to get the battery tested and hopefully we can figure out how we can best understand the charge left on the battery. We go to National Parks quite often that have no power hook ups so understanding our batteries charge is important to us. Regardless the heater worked wonderfully and the camper warmed up nicely.
Edit: When buying a new camper be sure to run your unit off of battery especially the slide ... try with no shore power. Definitely a lesson learned for us.
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Jim
Seasonal RV’er
Ready to Camp!
Posts: 210
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Post by Jim on Dec 5, 2020 13:57:42 GMT -5
Interesting, your post cites the new iRv control panel in your new Sporttrek. We have a late 2020, branded as a 2021 model. But we don't have this panel, just the individual button and switches on the wall. We had the inCommand brand on our old 5th wheel and it never missed a beat. the iRVsystem will probably take some getting used to ,but it will pretty nice n if it does what it says it can do. As far as battery and power monitoring, that is a mystery to me too. How it can tell you one number, but depending on what's on and not on is a bit weird. I agree for sure that you don't want to have power problems when boondocking .That can be a rough outing. Confident that you will get it figured out, and following your solutions.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Dec 5, 2020 20:02:01 GMT -5
After talking to the KZ/Venture tech desk via email, we're going to try a new battery and getting the one on the camper tested. So will work through it step by step. I'm sure it's just a matter of getting use to the new camper and operator error. :-) We got our conversion plugs today so we were able to hook up to direct power. Tested everything else and working perfectly. Love all the lights in the camper and really love the 2 fireplaces and the heat they put out. The under the counter light switch is in the middle of the fixture itself (like a push button) - cool once we found it.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Dec 8, 2020 19:34:28 GMT -5
For our issue, we tried two batteries, had them both tested and got same results. So going to have to take it into dealer for diagnostic testing. Seems like it will be next year as the dealer is closing for 2 weeks over the holidays. So it will be early 2021 before we can get it into the dealer.
For monitoring the battery, we decided that using the monitor panel is not the best way to go. After reading and watching several videos, think we are going to install a Victron Battery monitor.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Jan 18, 2021 18:56:33 GMT -5
Finally got an appointment for Mid-February for our camper.... with Southern RV (now A&L) in Richmond VA... So hoping they can resolve our 12 volt challenge and check the monitor panel.
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Post by aquaholic43 on Feb 28, 2021 9:43:13 GMT -5
So we just purchased a 2021 272VRK which as discussed has the new iRV panel. I noticed the same issue with the battery charge. What I gathered from the experience so far is that when we are hooked up to shore power it indicates FF whether the battery is fully charged or not (ie, it is charging). Because if we disconnect from shore power it will not show FF. Also, when disconnect, if we retract or expand a slide or run something else from the battery, the percentage of charge seems to bounce all around. Appreciate the discussion and would love to hear what you all learn.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Feb 28, 2021 15:25:53 GMT -5
Will do... I also posted under the General RV under 12 volt... latest as of Friday Feb 26 pm.
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.
Monitor panels don't give you the best readings on battery but ya jumping like crazy. I think they are currently thinking it's in the disconnect switch.. wire or I believe there is fuse in the area.
We can run on shore power with no problem.
One regret we are working through is getting the 12-volt frig... we thought we were getting propane. We're not real experience in the technical aspects of campers but learning. The dealer we bought it from in Ohio said no issue running off of battery and it will save you on propane. We understand the frig amp usage will kill the battery is less than a day. So we'll be working through that over the next year. More $ probably on 2 lithium batteries and solar... we'll see.
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mbentlyesq
Weekender RV’er
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 65
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Post by mbentlyesq on Mar 3, 2021 13:10:32 GMT -5
This is an interesting thread. We ordered a new SportTrek Touring STT312VBH and it has the iRV panel. We expect delivery in late Mach, early April. The manufacture is telling us it rolls off the floor on March 22, 2021. I appreciate the information about this issue and I plan to reach out to the manufacture about this issue. I will post if I get some feedback. Thank you.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Mar 3, 2021 20:20:51 GMT -5
3/2/2021 Ya, so KZ talked to the dealer on our 12 volt issue and they're working on it (at least that is what I was told March 2). I'm calling dealer back again this week. Once we have the battery monitor, we'll know more on the amp draw from the fridge but it sounds like from 10-15 amps per hour. So the 12 volt battery that comes with unit would most likely be at 50% in about 5 hours. So if you plan to camp at locations with no power consider getting propane fridge.
As soon as I understand what the issue is from the disconnect switch to the panel I'll post. Sounds like it may be the disconnect switch issue but we'll see.
3/9/2021 Dealer got our camper back into rotation today to look at issue. They can't find where the issue is so they're talking to the KZ tech person supposedly tomorrow. The dealer has ruled out battery, disconnect switch, converter, distribution panel, fuses, so not sure what's causing issue only when running off of battery. Hence, they'll be talking to KZ hopefully tomorrow.
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Mar 12, 2021 20:39:17 GMT -5
3/12/2020 So dealer and KZ have been going back and forth to resolve out 12 volt issue this week. They seemed to work hard on it but they have not been able to identify what is causing our issue. We are picking the camper up tomorrow as we have camping reservations next week with shore power and really want to get away. I believe KZ's current thinking is the main room slide motor may be creating the issue with using 12 volt. Anyway we'll be taking the camper back in 4/8/2020 as the dealer is having their parking lot repaved early April. So more to come on this in April.
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Post by WrkrBee on Mar 13, 2021 7:01:55 GMT -5
One regret we are working through is getting the 12-volt frig... we thought we were getting propane. We're not real experience in the technical aspects of campers but learning. The dealer we bought it from in Ohio said no issue running off of battery and it will save you on propane. We understand the frig amp usage will kill the battery is less than a day. So we'll be working through that over the next year. More $ probably on 2 lithium batteries and solar... we'll see. It's for their benefit, not yours. 12v is cheap for the manufacturer. Run one small wire to the fridge and they are done. No propane lines, no 120v cable, no breaker, one cheap 12v fuse. |
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Apr 5, 2021 14:14:32 GMT -5
Okay I moved the discussion back to the General RV Questions category.... not a good story right now. But is you're tracking this.... 12 volt battery - 12 volt.
I should call it can't run off of 12 volt battery with 2021 STT272VRK at this point. No resolution yet but being told I cannot by KZ run off battery and must be plugged into shore power.
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Post by blumoon1998 on Apr 13, 2021 20:35:40 GMT -5
Nicky - I am so sorry you are having to go through all this. I have been following your story and it completely baffles me that a TT would be a “shore power only”. I have never heard of such a thing. I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are able to get some resolution! Btw - we picked our camper up from A&L last week and the new paved lot looks wonderful!
Milissa
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xxxxx
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 229
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Post by xxxxx on Apr 13, 2021 21:12:23 GMT -5
Thanks... ya hope to get it resolved. We love the layout of the STT272VRK... so hard to find a king for the size. For just the two of us and 3 dogs it's great. A&L was really looking forward to getting rid of the dust.... I bet it looks good.
I'm posting of facebook now to get some more advice. I think an electrician has chimed in. It will be resolved one way or another.
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