There are several reasons why a DC2DC may turn on without charging from the vehicle input. You can work your way through the following list to isolate and fix the problem
Auxiliary Battery is Full
One of the most common reasons for the DC2DC not to be charging at full capacity is that the auxiliary battery is full or nearly full. As the end of the charging cycle approaches, the DC2DC will begin to lower the amount of current being put into the battery and will stop charging completely once the battery is full. This is normal and protects the battery from being overcharged. Check your battery monitor or the Enerdrive App (for B-TEC Batteries) to see if your battery is full.
Auxiliary Battery is Flat
The DC2DC will only output current if it able to detect an auxiliary battery. If your output battery has gone flat, the DC2DC will be unable to recognise it and therefore will not charge it. Check your battery with a multimeter to see if it has gone flat.
If your auxiliary battery voltage is lower than 7V, the DC2DC Charger will not begin charging process.
If you have a B-TEC or eLITE battery that has gone flat, use the flat battery reset guide found here.
If you have a Pro Series Battery that has gone flat, please contact Enerdrive support.
If you have any other type of battery that has gone flat, a guide on charging flat batteries can be found here.
Connection fault
Another common reason for a DC2DC to stop charging is a loose connection or blown fuse/circuit breaker. Check the connections from your inputs (vehicle start battery and solar) as well as the connection from your DC2DC to your auxiliary battery. Confirm that the cables have been run correctly and that all connections are tight without any gaps or washers between them. If you are stacking multiple terminals on the same connection point, ensure that the largest terminals are at the bottom and the smallest are at the top (like a pyramid). If any of your connections have been made through Anderson plugs, confirm that the pins are seated properly in the correct place and that the plugs have made a solid connection. More information about cable connections can be found here.
Insufficient Cable size
Cables that are too small can result in poor performance from your DC2DC. On the vehicle input side, it is recommended to use at least 16mm2 for lengths of cable 5m or less between the start battery and DC2DC. For the battery output side of the DC2DC, it is recommended that at least 16mm2 cable is used. Additional recommended cable sizes can be found in the DC2DC manual for those wanting to run longer cables or draw more than the recommended 40A of current. More information about cable size can be found here.
Smart Alternator
Some newer vehicles are fitted with smart alternators, which vary output voltage in order to improve fuel efficiency and to meet emissions standards. Your DC2DC is capable of compensating for the lower output voltage of a smart alternator, but requires a couple of extra steps during installation to do so. More information about how to configure your DC2DC for a vehicle with a smart alternator can be found here.
For additional information about DC2DC troubleshooting, check out the DC2DC Fault Finding support video here.
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