Momentum 25g battery disconnect

Boymom25g

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2023
Messages
14
I hope I found the right board for this question. I need help understanding the battery disconnect or just “dry camping” in general. I’ve read over the user manual and I guess I could call the service guys at the dealership we just bought the trailer from but I figured I’d ask you guys first.
We bought a GD momentum 25g a few weeks ago. To my understanding I should be able to run most things (power outlets, tv, stereo) while not connected to shore power. It’s in my front yard and since it’s our new shiny toy my kids are wanting to go out a few times a day to just hang out. I don’t like having it connected to power 24/7 because we’re not camping. Whenever I’m not plugged in I can’t get the stereo or the tv to turn on and I can’t even check my water/battery levels unless I’m connected to power or have the generator running. I’m seriously confused lol. I’m so so new to this. Either I misunderstood the guy at the walk thru or I’m doing something wrong and just can’t figure it out, or possibly there’s something funky with the wiring going on and the battery isn’t powering what it should. Appreciate any help!!!
 
No, what you have is normal operations. The outlets, stereo, TV, etc. are all 120V AC, not 12V DC, unless you have an inverter which is doubtful. That's why you have to have the trailer plugged in or running off the generator, which provides 120V AC current. The lights, water heater, furnace, absorption fridge, if you have one, are all 12V DC powered.
 
You should get yourself familiar with the difference in the systems

Maybe start with google or YouTube asking what the different electrical systems are in an rv
 
I hope I found the right board for this question. I need help understanding the battery disconnect or just “dry camping” in general. I’ve read over the user manual and I guess I could call the service guys at the dealership we just bought the trailer from but I figured I’d ask you guys first.
We bought a GD momentum 25g a few weeks ago. To my understanding I should be able to run most things (power outlets, tv, stereo) while not connected to shore power. It’s in my front yard and since it’s our new shiny toy my kids are wanting to go out a few times a day to just hang out. I don’t like having it connected to power 24/7 because we’re not camping. Whenever I’m not plugged in I can’t get the stereo or the tv to turn on and I can’t even check my water/battery levels unless I’m connected to power or have the generator running. I’m seriously confused lol. I’m so so new to this. Either I misunderstood the guy at the walk thru or I’m doing something wrong and just can’t figure it out, or possibly there’s something funky with the wiring going on and the battery isn’t powering what it should. Appreciate any help!!!

First, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new rig!

Definitely take the time and get familiar with the systems in your driveway first if possible.

Like Hoopy stated, there are two electrical systems, 12volt and 120 volt.

When plugged in everything will work (both 12 and 120 volt systems) with one important note. Air Conditioning is one of the largest electrical draws your rig has, so if you use a household 15 amp plug and outlet, use of some of those higher draw items is limited. You will trip the circuit. Just keep that in mind. When plugged in, the converter does three jobs, provides 12 volt, allows 120 volts to your distribution center and lastly it charges the battery.

When not plugged in, the battery provides 12 volt only. If you have an inverter, it will convert that 12 volt to 120 volt. Usually that is isolated to one or two circuits for say a fridge and tv for example unless you have a whole house system.

The battery disconnect literally disconnects the battery from the converter and the rest of the rv system.

Bill
 
Actually, RVs have three electrical systems (if you count the automotive system for running lights). Here's how things work:

12VDC from batteries (or converter/charger when on shore power):
- all lighting
- control boards for water heater, ACs, absorption refrigerators (not 120VAC residential), control board and fan for furnace, leveling systems
- 12VDC power to the inverter (if you have one) when not on shore power

Solar charge controller
- wired directly to batteries and always on unless you turn it off

120VAC
- provides to all circuits when on shore power
- provides to some circuits by inverter when not on shore power (sub-panel switched by ATS, power provided by batteries when inverter on)

Items usually NOT on the inverter (if you have one):
- microwave
- ACs
- water heater in electric mode (must be on LP when not on shore power)
- absorption refrigerator in electric mode (must be on LP when not on shore power)

The ONLY things that the house 120VAC and 12VDC circuits have to do with each other are that 1) the converter/charger charges the batteries when on shore power, and 2) the batteries supply power to the inverter and thus provide 120VAC to those circuits on the inverter subpanel.

Rob
 
I actually do have an inverter! I just couldn’t figure out what the control panel was, for some reason I thought it was something to do with my solar system. I figured it out though
 
I have been trying to familiarize myself best I can these last couple weeks searching YouTube and forums and couldn’t find anything that helped honestly. That’s why I came here. But I was able to figure it out. I just needed to turn on the inverter. I thought the inverter panel was something for my solar panels.
 
If you have the manual, you need to thoroughly go through it a few times til you feel you have a good grasp of the systems. Like what the inverter runs, which I imagine would be the fridge. Then come back, if necessary, with specific questions. That makes addressing particular issues much easier.
 
I have been trying to familiarize myself best I can these last couple weeks searching YouTube and forums and couldn’t find anything that helped honestly. That’s why I came here. But I was able to figure it out. I just needed to turn on the inverter. I thought the inverter panel was something for my solar panels.

Unlikely the inverter runs the entire coach. Perhaps but unlikely
What did you put in the trailer for batteries to run the inverter?
 
I’m not looking to run the entire coach. More so just turn the tv or radio on. Which the inverter will power no problem. Not looking to run anything else. Very rarely will we actually dry camp but just having it parked out front going in and out once a day for the kids I don’t want to be running the power cord all the way out just to turn the tv on for an hour. We have a 50 amp service/full hook ups in our front yard so if we have guests we can plug it in and they can run anything no problem.
 
I’m not looking to run the entire coach. More so just turn the tv or radio on. Which the inverter will power no problem.

The tv and radio are two separate systems just fyi

I doubt your television is hooked to the inverter
 
Yes I have been going thru the manual best I can everyday trying to understand how everything works before we take it out camping in a couple of weeks. A few things confused me but I was able to figure it out! A couple good replies here with great info.
 
The tv and radio are two separate systems just fyi

I doubt your television is hooked to the inverter

Considering they have not worked unless plugged in until I turned the inverter on tells me they are powered by the inverter. The only things that work without the inverter are my slides and bed system to raise and lower the bunks in the garage.
 
Actually, RVs have three electrical systems (if you count the automotive system for running lights). Here's how things work:

12VDC from batteries (or converter/charger when on shore power):
- all lighting
- control boards for water heater, ACs, absorption refrigerators (not 120VAC residential), control board and fan for furnace, leveling systems
- 12VDC power to the inverter (if you have one) when not on shore power

Solar charge controller
- wired directly to batteries and always on unless you turn it off

120VAC
- provides to all circuits when on shore power
- provides to some circuits by inverter when not on shore power (sub-panel switched by ATS, power provided by batteries when inverter on)

Items usually NOT on the inverter (if you have one):
- microwave
- ACs
- water heater in electric mode (must be on LP when not on shore power)
- absorption refrigerator in electric mode (must be on LP when not on shore power)

The ONLY things that the house 120VAC and 12VDC circuits have to do with each other are that 1) the converter/charger charges the batteries when on shore power, and 2) the batteries supply power to the inverter and thus provide 120VAC to those circuits on the inverter subpanel.

Rob

Thanks, Rob! This is the most informative answer. I was able to figure it out with my inverter.
 
Considering they have not worked unless plugged in until I turned the inverter on tells me they are powered by the inverter. The only things that work without the inverter are my slides and bed system to raise and lower the bunks in the garage.
That's because those systems are 12V and have nothing to do with the inverter. Just curious how you turn on the inverter? Have a switch on the control panel?
 
That's because those systems are 12V and have nothing to do with the inverter. Just curious how you turn on the inverter? Have a switch on the control panel?

Yes, I am aware of that. Someone had spelled out what things were on what a few replies back. There’s a control panel for the inverter in my storage compartment outside. I just mistook that for something to do with the solar panels.
 
Is there any particular reason for not wanting to stay plugged in to shore power? I keep mine plugged in while its at home all the time. I know others do as well.
 
Is there any particular reason for not wanting to stay plugged in to shore power? I keep mine plugged in while it’s at home all the time. I know others do as well.

I guess I could leave it plugged in, I just felt like maybe that would be too hard on the battery? Is it not? I just don’t want to ruin anything leaving it plugged in all the time. I mean since we’re in it nearly everyday right now I guess I could. Im so new to this idk what I’m doing lol
 
Generally speaking, when it's plugged into shore power, the converter will keep the battery charged, but not overcharged. When the battery is completely charged, the converter should go into Float mode which will not damage the battery.
 
Generally speaking, when it's plugged into shore power, the converter will keep the battery charged, but not overcharged. When the battery is completely charged, the converter should go into Float mode which will not damage the battery.

Good to know!
 

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