Battery voltage low in new 2024 GD 303

[Jerry Davis]

we purchased a new 2024 GD 303. Have only been out once and have a couple week trip coming up in July.

I went out to rv today and looked at display panel inside and it said battery charge low. I than checked the battery voltage and it was 11.6 volts. The unit has 320 watt solar panels with a Furion mppt 60a charge controller. It read 36v from the solar panels and showed battery voltage at 11.6volts which was the reading I got from battery with meter

The rv has been sitting with everything off. I do realize that there are some circuits on such as smoke detectors and propane dectectors which draw little power. We have had a week of nothing but sunshine everyday. I did run out one of the sides yesterday and put it back in. The panel read full battery power yesterday

Im wondering if the controller is not charging the battery? Any inputs would be gratefull.

The solar and battery disconnects are on.

side note.... the disconnect from the solar controller/charger is between the controller and circuit board that goes to the battery. My thoughts that the solar panel disconnect should be before the solar controller/charger. The way it is set up, you would still have power going to the controller with the disconnect in the off postion. That goes agaisnt electrical installations

 

[jkwilson]

Measure at the battery with a meter on the posts before you start chasing it. If the solar wasn’t charging the battery, it would be much lower since there are constant drains on the system.

 

[Jerry Davis]

I did check the voltage at the battery with a meter

 

[Riverbug]

You are correct that the cutoff switch should be between the panels and the controller, ideally. Although it's a new rig, it's very possible that the battery is not new. They are typically pretty crappy batteries from the dealership, but not always the case. If you plan to replace with something better, I'd just do it. Preferably lithium iron phosphate. Otherwise, you could probably contact the dealership to test the battery and/or replace it. But my experience is that you are better off investing in your own good battery whether you go with flooded, AGM, or LFP.

 

[Soundsailor]

Ensure your battery disconnect is in the on position, ie, you can't remove the key. The solar doesn't charge when the disconnect is off. Plenty of battery drains are still active even when the switch is off. Having the switch in the wrong way is the most common source of the symptoms you describe.

 

[Jerry Davis]

Yeah, the battery is some off the wall brand. Thinking about going lithium

 

[traveldawg]

Make sure the dealer wired the battery (and charging circuits) correctly. It would be the first time it was wrong.

 

[Wileykid]

Ensure your battery disconnect is in the on position, ie, you can't remove the key. The solar doesn't charge when the disconnect is off. Plenty of battery drains are still active even when the switch is off. Having the switch in the wrong way is the most common source of the symptoms you describe.

I wonder if that is true for all the line. My Momentum solar is directly connected to the battery (via controller), and it makes no difference if the disconnect switch is on or off.

Take your battery to any auto store and have them do a load test. They all do it for free, and that will tell you if the battery is good or not.

 

[Jerry Davis]

I wonder if that is true for all the line. My Momentum solar is directly connected to the battery (via controller), and it makes no difference if the disconnect switch is on or off.

Take your battery to any auto store and have them do a load test. They all do it for free, and that will tell you if the battery is good or not.

All devices are to have a disconnect at/close to device in order to turn off power to service them. I have a battery disconnect (which it does not disconnect everything) and a disconnect for the solar pannels. Which is in wrong location for it to be a disconnect.

I did trun the solar disconnect off and on a couple times and it has fully charge the battery. There seems to be some problemswith controller not charging and by truning off?on it staarts back to charging.

Most likley will have to get another brand of controller from what I have been reading to eliminate this problem....nothing like having to replace brand new devices

 

[kb0zke]

Furrion solar controller? If so just get a Victron and throw the Furrion away. Yes, the dealer will replace it under warranty, but it isn't all that great anyway, and will soon fail again, so you may as well just get the Victron yourself now and save the headaches.

 

[Jerry Davis]

Furrion solar controller? If so just get a Victron and throw the Furrion away. Yes, the dealer will replace it under warranty, but it isn't all that great anyway, and will soon fail again, so you may as well just get the Victron yourself now and save the headaches.

Good advice

 

[Jerry Davis]

I went out to RV today and battery was drained down and controller not charging. We have had 10 days of all sun. I checked solar panels and they were putting out 36 volts!

Taking your advice, I just ordered a victron controller! Pisses me off that rv is 3 months old and have to put up with inferior equipment. As you stated they would give me a new one but most likley go thru same problem.
We are leaving for our first big trip of over 2 weeks . Dont want to be on road and not working

 

[Rmitch21]

I have a 2023 Imagine 3210BH. Had a similar battery drain issue with the 12v disconnect switch disconnected. Turns out my fridges still run despite the disconnect. Not sure that’s how it is supposed to work but that’s how mine works. I now manually turn off the inside and outside fridges and haven’t had a problem. Realize that might not be related to your issue but wanted to share my experience in case helpful.

 

[Jerry Davis]

I have a 2023 Imagine 3210BH. Had a similar battery drain issue with the 12v disconnect switch disconnected. Turns out my fridges still run despite the disconnect. Not sure that’s how it is supposed to work but that’s how mine works. I now manually turn off the inside and outside fridges and haven’t had a problem. Realize that might not be related to your issue but wanted to share my experience in case helpful.

Thanks..frig not on, I did check it