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Old 11-17-2014, 10:28 PM   #1
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Battery Issue

Ok...for some strange reason, I decided (and glad I did) to check my battery status on the panel and low and behold read 1/3 full! And I'm on shore power to boot. I always thought that as long as you are connected to shore power, then your battery would show full on the panel.
Any thoughts on where I should start checking?
We are going on our week long Thanksgiving trip this weekend and gotta get this fixed.
Thanks.
Jack
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Old 11-17-2014, 10:35 PM   #2
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First, I'd check the battery. Determine that there's water in all cells then I'd load test the battery(s). More than likely, you'll find that your battery took a dump. If your battery is good, then determine whether or not your charger is putting out voltage.

Is this something that just happened or is the rig new, or both?
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Old 11-17-2014, 10:40 PM   #3
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Hi spindrift.
The batteries are brand new Interstate batteries and the our RW is only two months old.
Thanks
Jack
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Old 11-17-2014, 10:41 PM   #4
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Doesn't sound good, anyway to check the convertor to see if it's sending a charge to the batteries?
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Old 11-17-2014, 10:42 PM   #5
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Spindrift, how would I check to find out if the charger is putting out voltage?
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:06 PM   #6
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Use a voltmeter to check the battery and if the converter is on and putting a charge into the battery(s), you should see a reading somewhere in the 13.2 to 14 V range depending on what your battery is calling for.
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:08 PM   #7
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Thanks Tim and Paula.
I have 11.67 volts.


This doesn't sound promising.
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:11 PM   #8
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Keep in the mind that the meter in the coach (most all RVs) is a horrible way to measure the condition of a battery system. A good Trimetric meter or measuring specific gravity is the correct way to maintain batteries
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:12 PM   #9
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No, 11.67 Volts means the battery is NOT receiving a charge from the converter
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:13 PM   #10
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Verify the AC breaker is on feeding the converter in your panel
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:15 PM   #11
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Would agree with your assessment that my batteries aren't being charged. I'm having bad thoughts that maybe my converter is bad???
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:34 PM   #12
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Again, I would verify AC power feed to the converter is good first and then if that is good, yes, it would seem the "charging" portion of the converter is bad..???....
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RAMN8TER View Post
Would agree with your assessment that my batteries aren't being charged. I'm having bad thoughts that maybe my converter is bad???

It's my understanding that there are a couple of different fuses in the inverter. On the RL, one of the uses is behind "dad's tool box". I believe there are some screws holding that panel in place. Also last spring when I had my service wall down, I thought I saw a switch and a fuse on back of the inverter. The switch is for switching from dry to wet batteries. I'll look and see if I can find some of the pictures I took. If I find them I'll post them here. Good Luck
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:52 PM   #14
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RAMN8TER, do you have the Magnum inverter or a converter?
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Old 11-17-2014, 11:55 PM   #15
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Here is a picture of the inverter with 3 fuses. Sorry it's blurry, I hope this helps you
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File Type: jpg inverter.jpg (568.8 KB, 12 views)
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:02 AM   #16
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If the Breaker for the Converter hasn't tripped, I would pull down the rear bulkhead panel on the curb side of the basement and crawl in and verify that the Converter is properly plugged into the outlet on the backside of the breaker panel (at least that's how our 2012 RL is hooked up).
We had a very similar issue one Winter with our Montana, just happen to check the battery level on that little LED panel and found it way down. I too though our Converter had bit the dust, but pullling the panel to get access to the converter, found the power plug almost all the way out of the receptacle. Plugged back in and everything was A OK.
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:07 AM   #17
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here is another picture so you get an idea of where it is.
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File Type: jpg image 2 inverter.jpg (575.8 KB, 18 views)
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:33 AM   #18
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Dave,
Redwood quit putting that panel in Dads toolbox. I dont have it, but the showroom model when we looked did.
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:55 AM   #19
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I have a Progressive converter...not sure about the inverter.
The weather has decided to get real nasty and is taking a turn for the worse.
I have some homework tomorrow when I get back from work.
You guys are awesome!!!
Thanks,
Jack
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Old 11-18-2014, 01:10 AM   #20
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Jack,

When plugged in, our voltmeter has all lights lit up, regardless of condition of the batteries. It's purely just a voltmeter that will read the charging voltage off the converter. If you aren't charging, it is most likely just a breaker or fuse as others have said. They have both 110VAC supply and then a batch of 12V fuses, breakers. If you have good strong interior lighting when plugged in, the 110VAC side should be working. If they are weak, you probably lost AC to the converter as others have said.
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