New trailer, have a few questions on small fixes

[blowjoe1]

I just purchased a '17 Nash 25c and am really enjoying it (Northwood | Nash 25C).

Have a couple questions about how to best fix a couple really small items the right way. Imgur Pics for reference: Imgur:



The first one is a little bit of wallpaper (I think) at a seam, right above the sink. Not sure the best approach to get some adhesive under it and get it pressed back down.

The second one is what appears to be a pretty common issue where the roof gutter rails have a slight gap which in turn is dripping water down the side of the rv. Sounds like I'll need some kind of silicone adhesive to seal the gap, any recommendations what to use?

The third question is regarding the batteries....the trailer has two 12v Interstate Green Top SRM-24 batteries. I'll be boon docking for the first time in a couple weeks and want to understand when I should fire up the generator to fill these up. As I understand you don't want to completely drain them (ideally don't let drop under 50%??) to avoid damaging or shortening the life of the batteries. I have Zamp Solar Controller that gives me a voltage output. Is the following correct regarding reading the capacity:

​
100% 12.7 (or higher if charging)
75% 12.4
50% 12.2

So essentially the lowest I'd want to let it get is 12.2 but ideally somewhere between 12.4 and .2 start thinking about running the generator to top them back off?


Appreciate any input!

[JMynes]

Those are resting voltages. 12.2 is safe, especially if under load, because if you remove the load on the battery its voltage will rebound some, maybe quite a bit if the load was significant.

[blowjoe1]

Originally Posted by JMynes

Those are resting voltages. 12.2 is safe, especially if under load, because if you remove the load on the battery its voltage will rebound some, maybe quite a bit if the load was significant.

Hmm...well how do I know when I need to start getting it charged?

[Superslif]

A fully charged battery will read 12.6...but when charging your meter might read 13.6 volts as it's charging when plugged into shore power. I kind of use 12.0 volts as a good low end where I need to think about charging it back up. My trip to Alaska last summer I used just a 100 watt portable solar panel to keep the one battery charged up when off grid. 3 days in one spot was as long as I was off grid at one time.

Just a note: When charging your battery with solar, you will notice as your battery gets closer to a full charge, your solar panels charge controller will raise the volts (as high as 21 volts) at the same time the watts will go down. It's harder to get the batteries last 10% of it's full charge. So it has to "push" more volts into the charge process to get that last 10%.

[blowjoe1]

Great thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by Superslif

A fully charged battery will read 12.6...but when charging your meter might read 13.6 volts as it's charging when plugged into shore power. I kind of use 12.0 volts as a good low end where I need to think about charging it back up. My trip to Alaska last summer I used just a 100 watt portable solar panel to keep the one battery charged up when off grid. 3 days in one spot was as long as I was off grid at one time.

Just a note: When charging your battery with solar, you will notice as your battery gets closer to a full charge, your solar panels charge controller will raise the volts (as high as 21 volts) at the same time the watts will go down. It's harder to get the batteries last 10% of it's full charge. So it has to "push" more volts into the charge process to get that last 10%.

[Vacationfools]

On the wallpaper, a syringe works nice.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[blowjoe1]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

So far so good...thanks!

[cruzbill]

Joe, if you have a 4 stage converter/charger, you will need to let the batteries drop to 12.3-12.4 vdc before charging with the generator. The converter charger goes into 'bulk' charge mode at these voltages and will charge the batteries much faster than when the pre-charge voltage is 12.5 or higher. Tech from Progressive Dynamics schooled me on this one.


Mighty Mini Compact AC/DC Power Distribution Panel

[JUS1MO]

Elmer's white glue will fix the wallpaper.. Water clean up before dry.... 100% Clear Silicone to close the gap on the drip....

[Riccochet]

I wouldn't worry about damaging the batteries by running them down. They are deep cycle and made for it. What you don't want to do is leave them discharged for extended periods of time. That is where the damage to the cells occurs.

I tournament bass fish and will run my trolling batteries near dead all the time. I just make sure to charge them as soon as I get home. I can get 3-4 years out of a set this way. That's with heavy, multi-day uses, every weekend for 9-10 months every year.

[Mr_D]

12.10 to 12.06 is considered 50% charge according to published charts. Anything lower shortens the life.

[blowjoe1]

Originally Posted by JUS1MO

Elmer's white glue will fix the wallpaper.. Water clean up before dry.... 100% Clear Silicone to close the gap on the drip....

Thanks I'll give it a shot.