Do you have a question about the 190 Popular and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
Randy Hendrix
February 13, 2025
I have a 2015 Roadtrek 190 popular with the second alternator and 225watts of solar with 4 agm batteries wanting to change to lithium what do I need to do with the alternator and the charge controller can’t find anything on if or how to set it up for lithium batteries
1 comments:
Mr. Anderson
February 13, 2025
The provided context does not specify any required modifications to the alternator or charge controller when converting a 2015 Roadtrek 190 Popular to lithium batteries. However, it mentions that the charge controller is factory-configured for the installed battery type and advises against making adjustments. Generally, when switching to lithium batteries, modifications may be needed to ensure proper charging, such as upgrading the charge controller to one compatible with lithium batteries and checking if the alternator and battery isolator can handle the different charging profile.
Contents Introduction to Your 190 Popular ......................................7 Disclaimer ..............................................7 Copyright ..............................................7 References ..........................................8 Do’s and Don’ts ............................................8 Symbol Legend ........................................8 Regulatory Warnings ......................................8 Information, Cautions and Warnings ..................................9 Before You Head Out ..........................................12 Coming Home ............................................
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Battery Access Door ......................................37 Driver’s Side Doors ......................................37 Propane Access Panel ......................................39 Optional Rear Door Screen ....................................40 Optional Side Door Screen ....................................41 Utilities ............................................... 43 Fresh Water .......................................... 43 Standard Edition ........................................43 City Water ..........................................46 Summer and Winter modes ....................................
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Battery Disconnect Switch ....................................55 Charging your batteries....................................... 55 Inverter-Charger ........................................55 Standard Alternator Charger and Battery Isolator ............................. 56 Optional Engine Generator ....................................56 Optional Solar Panels ......................................57 On Board 120 Volt AC Power ....................................58 Standard 750 Watt Inverter ....................................58 Optional 2500 Watt Inverter ....................................
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At Least Twice a Year ......................................70 At Least Once a Year ......................................71 Other Maintenance Checks ....................................71 Obtaining Service .............................................74 Specifications ............................................75 Roadtrek Limited Warranty ........................................76 Arbitration Provision ..........................................79 Registration ............................................... 80 Aftermarket Disclaimer ........................................... 81 Regulatory Notices ..........................................82 HOWTOs ..............................................
Congratulations on the purchase of your Roadtrek and welcome to the Erwin Hymer Group NA family. The information included in this manual is meant to help and guide you through the use of your vehicle so that you know how to properly use the many functions your 190 Popular has to offer.
All images used in this manual remain the property of Erwin Hymer Group NA. They are for illustrative purposes only and may or may not be representative of the upfits in your Roadtrek. Contact Erwin Hymer Group NA for alternate licensing arrangements if you want to use or distribute this manual commercially.
Turn the TV off and stow it while the vehicle is in motion. The flat screen TV should not be stored inside the Roadtrek in cold temperatures. Remove it to reduce the chance of damage from the cold. Check the Owner's Manual for the TV for storage and operating temperatures.
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The BBQ quick disconnect is regulated to 10 P.S.I. Please ensure that all devices connected to this are either rated for high "pressure" or have their own regulator. Many grills sold in the United States are "low pressure" (1/2 Propane P.S.I.) and will require an additional regulator to step the pressure down to a useable level.
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The Roadtrek is supplied with an AC generator located underneath the engine. Never submerge the generator. Generator Use a spotter when launching a boat or crossing streams. Waste Water Close the gray water gate valve before using the waste water system.
Before You Head Out Your new 190 Popular is ready to go with just a little bit of preparation. To prepare for your first trip, you should: • Read this manual. • Contact your dealer with any questions. • Plan your trip.
Coming Home When you come home, there are a few maintenance tasks you should do to get your 190 Popular ready to go for next time. Refer to other sections in this manual for the procedures listed here. • On your way home, dump the gray tank and toilet cassette at a convenient facility. See the HOWTO: Waste Water Dumping section for a concise description of the procedure to do this.
Cabinets Cabinet latches in your Roadtrek are different from the ones in your home and more like those on boats - they have to stay closed when the vehicle is in motion. The cabinet doors are secured with latches located along the edge of the cabinet door. (Picture 14.1) Run your fingers along the edge and you will find the latch.
Galley Cabinets Beneath the galley countertop there is a drawer on the left over the refrigerator to hold silverware and small cooking utensils. The panel to the right in front of the sink is fixed, and is not a drawer. The cabinet below this panel has three shelves to hold larger cooking utensils and food. The tall narrow door on the far right conceals the front table.
Tables There are front and rear tables to use either the front or rear lounge areas for dining, playing cards, or computer use. (Pictures 16.1, 16.2) The front table top is stored behind the driver's seat. The rear tabletop is stored under the driver's side rear bench seat, and both table legs are stored in the wardrobe to the right of the bathroom.
Front Table The front table top is stored in the narrow vertical galley cabinet. (Picture 17.2) It does not have a table leg. The table slides out from the tall, narrow opening to the right of and below the sink. Open the front cover and pull the table out completely. Unfold the table leaf until the spring-loaded portion of the hinge pops into position, locking the leaf in the open position.
Rear Table The rear tabletop is stored under the driver's side rear bench seat, (Picture 18.3) and its leg is stored within the wardrobe. The dining table for the rear seating area is located under the driver's side rear bench cushion, directly across from the TV. Lift the cushion and remove the table top.
Front Captain’s Seats The seats must be set as far forward as possible prior to swiveling, otherwise the plastic trim will be damaged. The two captain's seats in the front of your 190P are adjustable fore and aft by pulling up on the bar under the front of the seat, and will swivel when the swivel lever - the black metal tab on the side of the chair base - is pressed up.
Second Row Seat If you have the standard bathroom, you have a third seat just inside the side door. The second row seat has an adjustment to the seat back and bottom cushion to change the seat back angle for more comfortable seating. The back lifts up and is held by a pin in a slot (see photo below). The seat bottom cushion can be lifted and moved forward approximately three inches (8 cm) to its alternate position because of the way it is mounted to the seat base.
Ventilation Your Roadtrek is equipped with a ceiling mounted ventilation fan. (Picture 21.1) The fan has a cover that must be raised by turning the large knurled knob before the fan will operate. Raise the cover, then use the remote control to the desired speed and temperature.
Front Window Treatments Never attempt to attach any sort of fastener or track above the front doors. The airbag could deploy causing severe injury. Worse, once installed, the airbag could then launch your fasteners directly at your head at 200MPH. Picture 23.1 Picture 23.2 Use the attached pull tab to pull each half of the screen to the...
Sleeping Facilities Your Roadtrek has beds that can be set up as either a king bed or two twin beds. Experiment with different configurations to find what works best for you. Power Sofa Picture 24.1 Picture 24.2 Sofa switch Power sofa Picture 24.3...
(Picture 25.1) Move the bottom cushion for the bench seats together over this panel, and place the smaller seat back cushions for the bench seats between these and the outer walls of the Roadtrek. (Picture 24.4)
Bathroom Facilities Standard Facilities Aisle Shower To set up the stand-up aisle shower: • Remove the lowered floor carpet to expose the floor drain. • Remove floor drain cover from floor and loosen the drain plug/strainer. • For privacy extend the bathroom door and close the galley, side door, and windshield curtains. (Picture 26.1) •...
Toilet The enclosed bathroom in your Roadtrek contains a marine toilet. To flush the toilet, press the foot pedal located at the bottom of the front of the toilet bowl. (Picture 28.1) Picture 28.2...
Shower To take a shower, unscrew the drain stopper in the center of the bathroom floor. (Picture 30.4) Release the hook and loop fastener straps retaining the shower curtain, and slide the shower curtain along its track to enclose the shower space. Attach the shower hose to the water outlet just behind the bathroom sink faucet handles, and pull up on the knob on the faucet spout.
(Picture 31.1) Do not drive with the vent open. Outside Shower The outside shower is located on the driver's side, towards the rear wheel. (Picture 31.2) See Outside your Roadtrek for more details on location. Picture 31.2 Picture 31.1...
Appliances TV and Home Theatre System The TV and DVD player are located in the rear on the passenger side. (Pictures 32.1, 32.2) Both the television and the DVD player use 120 volt current, so the inverter, generator, or shore power must be used. They are supplied with remote controls.
Controlling the Rear Speakers The surround sound system offered in your Roadtrek allows you to control the rear speaker sound in your vehicle. Locate the speaker switch which can be found in the cabinet above the home theater system. (Picture 33.1) •...
Hot Water Standard Propane Water Heater The 190 Popular is equipped with a 6 gallon water heater. The heater requires both 12VDC and propane for proper operation. See Monitor Panel for location and operation of the switch for the heater.
Awning attachment Your Roadtrek has an electric roll up awning. The control for the awning is located above the passenger door on the inside. (Pictures 36.1, 36.2) To open the awning push the rocker switch and the awning will extend. Lower the supports on each side and secure them to the two attachment points on the side of the Roadtrek.
Since all these sources of open flame are near the fuel fill door on the driver's side, please ensure that all propane appliances are off when refueling your Roadtrek. In addition to making sure your main propane tank valve is shut whenever the vehicle is stored or in motion, turn the battery disconnect switch off when refueling - this will disable the water heater igniter, the refrigerator igniter, and the furnace.
Some Roadtrek’s have the optional rear screen which allows you to open the rear doors and get fresh air and a better view, without bugs coming in or pets going out. If you ordered this option, look for this screen in the white box that comes with your new Roadtrek. The screen attaches to the rear door frame and cargo area floor with a zipper and hook-and-loop fasteners.
(Picture 42.3) There is a zipper in the screen so you can enter and exit without removing the screen. (Picture 42.2) Locate the screen in the white box that comes with your new Roadtrek, and shake it out. To orient the screen correctly, look for the zipper in the screen - hold the screen so that the zipper goes across near the top and then down the right side.
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Optional Side Door Screen (Continued) To enter or exit the vehicle through the side door while the screen is installed, unzip the opening and step through. There is a zipper tab on either side so you can fasten it behind you once through. While sturdy enough to keep insects out, neither this screen nor the rear screen are designed to resist repeated and persistent attempts by pets to get out of the vehicle.
Utilities Just like your house, your 190 Popular has fresh water, electricity, waste water disposal, heating, and cooling systems. In the 190 Popular, these systems are self- contained and travel with you. Your vehicle should be reasonably level to allow normal operation of the system.
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Roadtrek recommends that you use a dedicated single purpose potable-water hose. These are usually white in color. Buy a new one and use it only for filling your tanks and connecting to city water. View any hose lying around a campground with extreme skepticism, especially if there's a wastewater dump nearby.
Summer and Winter modes The water system in your Roadtrek has an exterior and interior water tank. In summer mode (above freezing) both tanks can be used. In mildly sub- freezing conditions, the exterior tank must be drained and the system set to winter mode. See the HOWTO: Summer and Winter Mode for a concise description of how to operate your system in either mode.
Anniversary Edition Fresh Water System See Hydronic System. Water Pump To use the water in the tank, you need to turn on the water pump. See Monitor Panel for switch location. Waste Water Gray Tank Galley sink, bathroom sink and shower drain water drains into the gray water tank. The shower and sink have traps to prevent tank odors from entering the living space.
Propane System Your vehicle is equipped with a propane system which, when properly handled and maintained, will provide trouble and worry free operation of your propane fueled appliances. Many jurisdictions place restrictions on propane on highways, in tunnels, on ferries, and on bridges. Please follow all local restrictions in all the jurisdictions along your trip.
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Propane System (Continued) Roadtrek recommends that you take your van to a qualified LPG retailer to fill the tank. While filling, turn off all propane appliances, then turn off the tank shutoff valve. We recommend that you use only propane from certified LPG retailers.
(Picture 51.2) Heat Pump The heat pump can provide both heating and cooling for your Roadtrek using electric shore power or generator power. The heat pump gives you the advantage of heating your unit with electricity if you would prefer to use electricity rather than the propane the furnace uses.
Heat Pump (Continued) • Turn fan to the ON position. • Adjust the thermostat on the unit for the desired temperature. The compressor should start automatically. • Your vehicle should be parked as close to level as possible to maximize the air conditioner’s efficiency. If you are parked very much off-level, it is possible for condensate to leak into the living space.
This protects the Alde plumbing only; you still need to winterize the remaining water system in your Roadtrek to prevent damage to the water lines and other components.
The battery disconnect switch provides power to all 12 volt appliances, such as the water pump, the refrigerator, and so forth. Even the propane cooktop uses 12 volt power to run the burner igniters. This switch should be off when you are not using your Roadtrek, and on whenever you are driving or camping.
Standard Alternator Charger and Battery Isolator While driving, your Roadtrek will also charge the coach batteries from the vehicle alternator through a separator. The separator allows extra vehicle alternator-produced electricity to charge your coach batteries in addition to keeping your engine (chassis) battery charged. When the vehicle engine is not...
The optional solar panels will charge your batteries when sufficient sunlight is available. The solar charge controller is installed at the factory for the type of panels and batteries installed on your vehicle, and Roadtrek strongly recommends that you make no adjustments or changes to the charge controller or its programming.
The standard configuration includes a 750 watt inverter. (Picture 58.1) This inverter provides 120 volt AC (household current) for a few of the outlets in your Roadtrek; primarily the ones running the TV and the DVD player. It is not powerful enough to operate the air conditioner or the microwave.
Failure to do this can lead to internal corrosion, gumming up of the float bowl, and eventual failure. Shore Power The shore power connection is through the shore power cord, stored in the driver's side large compartment. See Outside your Roadtrek for location. The switchover from shore power to inverter is automatic.
Outlets The outlets are operated from the inverter, generator, or shore power. Further, the outlets are protected by GFCI. Only some of the outlets are powered by the standard 750 watt inverter. The electrical outlets above the galley and under the passenger side rear captain's seat have ground fault circuitry (GFCI) - the button in the middle of the outlet pops out when they sense an anomaly or sometimes when the circuit undergoes transitional conditions.
12 volt electrical devices to work. Remember to turn off two switches - the inverter switch and the battery disconnect switch when your Roadtrek is not being used to avoid discharging the batteries.
Shore Power Shore power is the name for power supplied by a utility company that you plug into to provide power to your Roadtrek. See HOWTO: Shore Power for a concise guide to plugging in and unplugging from shore power.
Water Pump Switch The centered switch to the right of the leftmost four switches is the water pump switch. (Picture 63.2) It should be on only when you have water in the fresh water tanks and wish to use the sinks, showers, or toilet. The pump should not be run without water. As with the patio light switch, pressing the top of the button turns the pump on, and pressing the bottom turns it off.
Optional Generator Switch and Hour Meter If you have the optional 2800 watt gasoline generator, the switch is to the right of the tank and charge indicators. Press the bottom of the switch for about five seconds to prime the generator, then the top to start. Press the bottom again to turn it off. The hour meter to the right of the switch keeps track of how many hours your generator has been running.
The 120 volt breakers are located on the driver's side on the flat wood panel above the driver's seat, behind a black plastic panel. Flip the cover down and note the sticker under the cover with the identifying information on each breaker. When storing the Roadtrek for the winter, turn off the battery disconnect switch, your inverter, and all circuit breakers in this panel.
Alarms and Warnings CO Monitor Your vehicle has been equipped with a combination propane leak and carbon monoxide detection device for your protection. It is located slightly above floor level directly behind the rear bathroom door. (Picture 67.1) Be sure the detector is operating while using your vehicle, especially when you are asleep inside it.
Fire Extinguisher Your Roadtrek comes equipped with a dry chemical fire extinguisher suitable for all fires. (Picture 68.1) Before every trip, check to see that the needle on the dial is in the green range. If not, replace the fire extinguisher. DO NOT test your fire extinguisher by discharging it - total discharge time is 8 to 12 seconds, so it will become rapidly depleted if you test it this way.
Maintenance Tires See the automotive chassis manufacturer's owner's manual and documents for tire warranty information. Inflation pressure information is on the sticker inside the galley cabinet door. The current Chevrolet Express manual recommends checking tire pressures regularly - at least every other week, and definitely before a long trip.
At Least Every Three Months • Flush water to the toilet cassette. Use a hose or bucket to fill the tank through the toilet and dump. Flush gray water holding tank. Use a hose or bucket to fill the tank through the galley sink and dump. •...
To prevent water from entering your vehicle, avoid spraying water directly into exterior vents or grills. Do not use a power washer to clean your Roadtrek because damage to the paint, removal of decals and water leaks will result. Hand washing or commercial car washes accommodating large vehicles are the best way to keep your Roadtrek clean and shiny.
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If your new Roadtrek still has the blue protective coating on the chrome spare tire cover, remove it as soon as you can. If left on for an extended period, particularly in the hot sun, it will become very difficult to remove.
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Flip the retaining spring over the end of the pin to secure it. To use the spare tire, lower the tire, unlock the chrome surround with the key supplied with your Roadtrek, unbolt the tire from the carrier with your lug wrench, and lift the tire off the carrier.
When your Roadtrek needs service, determine if the issue is with the Roadtrek upfits or the GM chassis. For Roadtrek upfits, contact your dealer. Start with the service writer, then the service manager and finally, if you are unable to resolve your issues with the service department, contact the dealership managing partner or owner.
B pillar (right side of the door frame, near the latch). This specification refers to the baseline Roadtrek upfits. Options and upgrades may change these specifications. Roadtrek upfits only.
This limited warranty covers the owner of the chassis equipped with a EHG RV conversion. The warranty may be transferred to subsequent owners during the warranty period by submitting online a new Roadtrek limited warranty registration form (see “How to Obtain the Limited Warranty” below).
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The original retail purchaser is responsible for submitting online, or having the vehicle dealer submit online, a Roadtrek Limited Warranty Registration form to EHG. This limited warranty is not valid unless the Roadtrek Limited Warranty Registration is submitted online and received by EHG within 48 hours after the date of delivery to the first end user or any subsequent owners.
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Roadside Assistance Plan You are enrolled in a 24/7 roadside assistance plan for the first 2 years of the limited warranty upon registration of your Roadtrek. The roadside assistance plan is transferrable to subsequent owners within the 2-year coverage period. If your motorhome is disabled because of any...
Arbitration Provision Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this limited warranty, or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the Arbitration Association. The determination of the arbitrator(s) shall be in writing and shall include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The determination of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding and judgment upon such determination may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
The compatibility of aftermarket systems and components should be researched thoroughly either with the dealer or manufacture as they may interfere with the performance of Erwin Hymer Group North America (Roadtrek, Hymer, Sunlight etc.) recreation vehicle systems and components, further affecting the warranty of the vehicle as designed.
U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, DC 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the NHTSA Hotline. HOWTOs For access to more information on how to reform general functionalities of your Roadtrek, please go to: http://www.roadtrek.com/support-contact/#section-how https://www.youtube.com/user/RoadtrekMotorhomes...
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Do you have a question about the 190 Popular and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
I have a 2015 Roadtrek 190 popular with the second alternator and 225watts of solar with 4 agm batteries wanting to change to lithium what do I need to do with the alternator and the charge controller can’t find anything on if or how to set it up for lithium batteries
The provided context does not specify any required modifications to the alternator or charge controller when converting a 2015 Roadtrek 190 Popular to lithium batteries. However, it mentions that the charge controller is factory-configured for the installed battery type and advises against making adjustments. Generally, when switching to lithium batteries, modifications may be needed to ensure proper charging, such as upgrading the charge controller to one compatible with lithium batteries and checking if the alternator and battery isolator can handle the different charging profile.
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