Community Forums

kwberg · 08-04-2019, 12:59 PM

I am having a really perplexing problem with my 12 volt system when I hook-up to power. It just started when we arrived at the RV park on Thursday and is stable now but I am afraid to touch anything until I figure this out.

The issue: Our 12 volt system worked fine while on the road and powered lights, etc fine. When we arrived at the RV park in LV, I plugged into 50 Amp shore power and the charge light came on for the 12 volt system as always. When I tried to put the slides out I noticed a huge drain on the 12 volt system (level showed below 11volts) - much larger then ever before. It seemed weird to me since the battery meter showed 12.6 volts, so I cut off the charge button on the panel and all lights, etc went out. When I unplugged from shore power, the 12 volt system was back to normal. I repeated the process but this time used the 30 amp shore power and the same thing happened. After turning the charge button on the freedom controller on and off several times I was able to get it so the lights stay on and run off batteries if the charge light is off. That is where it sits now but we will be leaving in a week and do not want a repeat...

Our electric charging/ems components include:
- xantrex freedom 458 30Amp inverter/charger
- surge guard rv power monitor
- 12 Volt 30 Amp digital solar charge controller
- 50 Amp smart EMS load meter by intellitec

Any help appreciated!

153stars · 08-04-2019, 06:49 PM

Sounds like coach batteries are not supplying power for some reason,bad connections, poor grounds . Just dead not taking charge. The automatic charge relay was actually working as it should supplying 12v from alternator going down the road. The invertor should kick in and be charging and making 12v but poor connections can prevent that as well.

kwberg · 08-04-2019, 11:48 PM

Thanks for the reply 153stars, but if that was the case why would my 12 volt system work fine when not plugged in? As I note above, the 12 volt system worked fine until I plugged in. Then it went wonky. After playing with the charge switch on the inverter panel a few times I was able to get back to the 12 volt system working if the charge button is off. The coach hes been plugged in since Thursday now and the 12 volt lights are still working now, voltage shows 12.2 volts and it has not been charging, so the batteries must be in decent shape? It is just really weird to me and worries me for next time I unplug and then plug back in.

kwberg · 08-05-2019, 12:58 AM

OK, sorry to spam this thread but after I replied above the Xantrex inverter control board showed the voltage had gone down to 11.9 volts and this matched the solar control board which also showed 11.9 volts. So, I tempted fate and hit the charge button on the xantrex control panel. It cycled from deep charge to float within a few minutes and shows 13.4 volts, yet the solar control panel still shows 11.9 volts. I took it off charge and all 12 volt lights went out for a moment then came back on and both panels show 11.9 volts again.....

kwberg · 08-08-2019, 11:42 AM

After checking everything around the batteries I found the house disconnect switch was loose and any movement caused it to disconnect. I bought a new switch and it seems to be working now (time will tell), but I did notice the old disconnect switch just fell apart when I removed it and seemed to be burnt on the inside. I am unsure if this is because the switch is 15 years old and well used or if there is another problem with the 12 volt system that is burning the switch....

windsorbill · 08-08-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwberg

After checking everything around the batteries I found the house disconnect switch was loose and any movement caused it to disconnect. I bought a new switch and it seems to be working now (time will tell), but I did notice the old disconnect switch just fell apart when I removed it and seemed to be burnt on the inside. I am unsure if this is because the switch is 15 years old and well used or if there is another problem with the 12 volt system that is burning the switch....

The switch that I had had a similar fate. I replaced both the house and chassis switches years ago. I think is a common problem.