Should shore power be able to run jacks even with low batteries

[gwschunicht]

We just picked up a 2026 310RL. When we were looking at the unit, batteries were low, but it was plugged into shore power, the dealer tech couldn't get the jacks to work due to low power, they said the batteries need a full charge and replaced the batteries. I would have thought shore power would have enough amperage to run the hydrolic motor. A week later when we picked it up (in rain) the dealer had to replace batteries as they were well dead, supposedly battery was left on.
After bringing home, I first found the solar converter positive battery connection was not tight because its blue tooth wasn't working (not connected really) - quick fix for that.
The real question here, on shore power I would expect batteries to charge with ~13.7 volts shown at the terminals based on other readings, I get maybe 12.5. Further, if I shut off the battery switch, I'd expect the 12v lights to still work on shore power, they don't. Given this is new to us, are my expectations correct?

 

[BryanValRox]

From a fellow 310RL owner, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase.

To answer your question, your expectations are incorrect 😂.

For your rig to operate normally, your 12 volt master disconnect needs to be on.

Your jacks and slides will not work properly or at all without the support of your battery.
The jacks and slides (same pump)pull high amperage and the battery is necessary to support the demand during the cycle.

The converter is capable of supporting smaller loads without the battery, but the reality is the battery is a key component of the electrical system and the converter and solar systems should be keeping it charged.

 

[2 Allies]

Congratulations and Welcome!
Enjoy your new rig and what Bryan said is the real deal.

 

[Jwtsg]

Congratulations & Welcome to the forum from Oregon! Wising you wonderful adventures, safe travels, & minor issues! Good forum, active, knowledgeable, members willing to help ! Enjoy 👍🌞🍀!!

 

[Lantley]

As mentioned the converter alone cannot supply ample 12 volt power to the jack and or slides.
You need a properly functioning battery to operate hi current 12 volt components

 

[gwschunicht]

Thanks all for the responses!
I did find that the dealer must have once installed the batteries in reverse as all 3 fuses were blown on the converter. While it was not simple to get to, once I replaced them and with batteries on, things are looking much better, I'm seeing a charging voltage while on shore power and the slides, jacks are much more responsive.
Looking forward to some adventures and glad to have the support here!

 

[Flyer32RLS]

The real question here, on shore power I would expect batteries to charge with ~13.7 volts shown at the terminals based on other readings, I get maybe 12.5. Further, if I shut off the battery switch, I'd expect the 12v lights to still work on shore power, they don't. Given this is new to us, are my expectations correct?

Just an FTI, for that reason and we have electric jacks, after arriving in camping site, insuring all is good, the first thing I do is connect to shore power. I know the batteries will take care of the slides and jacks but I prefer to have some support for the batteries when hitting them with the big loads. Found out the hard way that it does not take batteries to be discharged just a little to not be able to put out jacks.
Happy Glamping!!

 

[Lantley]

Just an FTI, for that reason and we have electric jacks, after arriving in camping site, insuring all is good, the first thing I do is connect to shore power. I know the batteries will take care of the slides and jacks but I prefer to have some support for the batteries when hitting them with the big loads. Found out the hard way that it does not take batteries to be discharged just a little to not be able to put out jacks.
Happy Glamping!!

Yes I also try not to operate jacks or slides without being plugged in. While its not absolutely necessary to be plugged in, I think its good practice in the long run.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Just an FTI, for that reason and we have electric jacks, after arriving in camping site, insuring all is good, the first thing I do is connect to shore power. I know the batteries will take care of the slides and jacks but I prefer to have some support for the batteries when hitting them with the big loads. Found out the hard way that it does not take batteries to be discharged just a little to not be able to put out jacks.
Happy Glamping!!

I love the fact we all do things so differently...there is no right answer here. We get into a site...we chauk the tires and I put the front landing gear down. I then pull the pin to hitch and unplug 7-pin and ER brake. Wife drives truck away and parks it. While she does that, I hit auto level. While RV is doing this, I grab sewer hose (if we are at FH site) so I don't have to crawl under slide out later. RV levels itself and wife lowers stairs and sets up inside, while I finish outside setup. Depending on what the site has, will do power, water, sewer, starlink....in that order.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Thanks all for the responses!
I did find that the dealer must have once installed the batteries in reverse as all 3 fuses were blown on the converter. While it was not simple to get to, once I replaced them and with batteries on, things are looking much better, I'm seeing a charging voltage while on shore power and the slides, jacks are much more responsive.
Looking forward to some adventures and glad to have the support here!

That dealership sounds like a bunch of clowns? Larry, Moe And Currly?

 

[Flyer32RLS]

I love the fact we all do things so differently...there is no right answer here. We get into a site...we chauk the tires and I put the front landing gear down. I then pull the pin to hitch and unplug 7-pin and ER brake. Wife drives truck away and parks it. While she does that, I hit auto level. While RV is doing this, I grab sewer hose (if we are at FH site) so I don't have to crawl under slide out later. RV levels itself and wife lowers stairs and sets up inside, while I finish outside setup. Depending on what the site has, will do power, water, sewer, starlink....in that order.

Yep, nothing wrong with that technique. Everyone has THEIR way of setting up. I just prefer to not put a load on batteries if there is a better way, in my opinion, of hooking up and leveling and extending slides.
different ways with the same result!! Yahoo!!
Happy Glamping!!

 

[BryanValRox]

Yep, nothing wrong with that technique. Everyone has THEIR way of setting up. I just prefer to not put a load on batteries if there is a better way, in my opinion, of hooking up and leveling and extending slides.
different ways with the same result!! Yahoo!!
Happy Glamping!!

Agree that everyone has their way and that is what makes us different while the world goes round.

Respectfully, I would like to understand your comment of “ I just prefer to not put a load on batteries if there is a better way, in my opinion, of hooking up and leveling and extending slides.”

Like you , I like to be hooked up to shore power whenever possible to support the battery some while setting up.

I think you indicated that you had electric jacks, not sure on your slides, so I guess my question is how are you not placing a load on your battery or batteries while setting up?

 

[Flyer32RLS]

Agree that everyone has their way and that is what makes us different while the world goes round.

Respectfully, I would like to understand your comment of “ I just prefer to not put a load on batteries if there is a better way, in my opinion, of hooking up and leveling and extending slides.”

I think you indicated that you had electric jacks, not sure on your slides, so I guess my question is how are you not placing a load on your battery or batteries while setting up?

BryanValPox,
I see what your saying, also 5er is all electric, slides and level.
I'm not an electrician by any stretch but it just seems to reason that if you have shore power when you hit your battery with a heavy load, that the shore power would absorb some the impact of the load. It would be there to support the battery vs having the battery supply all the power.
It's like when jumping starting your car, Battery might turn it over slowly but not enough to crank, supply jumper cables, blam, cranks right up. That's my thought. Could be wrong but someone is going to have to prove me wrong to change my way of setting up. If I am wrong then I can change until then, I'll hook up first. What also helps in my therory is once I could not get the jacks to work at all. Nwever thought the battery might be low as it stays hooked up in storage, Call the dealer and asked if I was connected to shore power, no, connected and all went well.

Any electricians in the house????

Happy Glamping!!

 

[BryanValRox]

BryanValPox,
I see what your saying, also 5er is all electric, slides and level.
I'm not an electrician by any stretch but it just seems to reason that if you have shore power when you hit your battery with a heavy load, that the shore power would absorb some the impact of the load. It would be there to support the battery vs having the battery supply all the power.
It's like when jumping starting your car, Battery might turn it over slowly but not enough to crank, supply jumper cables, blam, cranks right up. That's my thought. Could be wrong but someone is going to have to prove me wrong to change my way of setting up. If I am wrong then I can change until then, I'll hook up first. What also helps in my therory is once I could not get the jacks to work at all. Nwever thought the battery might be low as it stays hooked up in storage, Call the dealer and asked if I was connected to shore power, no, connected and all went well.

Any electricians in the house????

Happy Glamping!!

No one trying to get you to change your ways here! You do you! I follow the same process by plugging into shore power before unhooking and set up.

In our case we have electric over hydraulic jacks, two hydraulic slides and one electric slide. Our pump will pull 80 amp +- under operation. Specific to our system, the battery is a requirement to operate jacks and slides as the converter output would not be able to support that kind of current demand while those components are operating.
So we ask a lot of the battery during the process and it certainly does the heavy lifting when in operation while setting up.

I to like the comfort of knowing the converter is operational and helping to raise the system voltage and top off(at least a little)the battery while it is under load.

I guess in theory, based on the electrical ratings of your converter, jacks and slides it could be possible that the battery isn’t working quite as hard in your unit, but for sure it is contributing some .

Appreciate you sharing your experience.

 

[7426TRISS]

I chalk the tire, lower the front, unhitch. Pull away, auto-level, never had a problem. But my 385 is all hydraulic. Electric maybe different

 

[George]

I love the fact we all do things so differently...there is no right answer here. We get into a site...we chauk the tires and I put the front landing gear down. I then pull the pin to hitch and unplug 7-pin and ER brake. Wife drives truck away and parks it. While she does that, I hit auto level. While RV is doing this, I grab sewer hose (if we are at FH site) so I don't have to crawl under slide out later. RV levels itself and wife lowers stairs and sets up inside, while I finish outside setup. Depending on what the site has, will do power, water, sewer, starlink....in that order.

Almost exactly our procedure. Except I'm in the connect shore power first camp. 🙃 I might change that now that I have the 165Ah lithium. 🤷🏼‍♂️

---

I see you level then deploy stairs... 👍🏼
It goes without saying, I hope, but never lower stairs before leveling and ALWAYS stow the stairs before retracting jacks. You might warp or damage your entry door or stairs otherwise. This is fact; I've seen it happen. It may not have happened to you yet but it can.
There ought to be a warning label at the leveling controls about this.

 

[Lantley]

Almost exactly our procedure. Except I'm in the connect shore power first camp. 🙃 I might change that now that I have the 165Ah lithium. 🤷🏼‍♂️

---

I see you level then deploy stairs... 👍🏼
It goes without saying, I hope, but never lower stairs before leveling and ALWAYS stow the stairs before retracting jacks. You might warp or damage your entry door or stairs otherwise. This is fact; I've seen it happen. It may not have happened to you yet but it can.
There ought to be a warning label at the leveling controls about this.

Yes the whole leveling mess is just another hassle created by the OEM steps
Just another reason to switch to Torklift uprising steps. There is a better way.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Almost exactly our procedure. Except I'm in the connect shore power first camp. 🙃 I might change that now that I have the 165Ah lithium. 🤷🏼‍♂️

You will change. We have a bit more amp hours (810) and 2000w of solar, so battery power is really never an issue. I even remove the power cord (if at fancy RV park with power) before I pulling in slides and connecting to truck. Once I have power cord done, it is about time my wife pulls the slides in...at that time I disconnect sewer hose and put it away, to avoid have to crawl under slideout to access sewer hose storage.