DC Overload

[JustCruising]

When I checked my Cayman this morning the control panel read DC overload. I checked the house batteries (brand new) and all of the posts have a white powdery coating. Does anyone know what is causing this.

I have shutdown all power sources until I can figure out the problem. In the mean time, I will lean the battery posts. I am so glad this forum is available! It has been a great help to me!

Frank

[danes-on-tour]

We had this happen to us about 5 month ago. In our case it was the start of our inverter failing. Initially we could reset the inverter to fix the overload, but eventually this stopped working and the inverter "gave up the ghost".

Our inverter was the Magnum Energy ME2012. We changed it to a true sine (same size) and haven't had a problem since.

If it turns out that your inverter is going bad, I can recommend these people iMarine USA - Search .

Best prices and Suzanne is a delight to deal with.

Good luck.

[JustCruising]

I decided to pull the house batteries and get them checked. I took them up to Interstate Batteries to be tested. The batteries were dead. The tech said it could be a bad cell but.....

The story about the batteries...

The house batteries were replaced in July 2013. When we purchased the coach in October, the house batteries were low. We keep our coach hooked up to 50 amp shore power when not in use and thought the batteries would charge off shore power but in January the batteries were totally dead.

Interstate batteries replaced them without charge and the new batteries we're put in mid-January. Today, the one month old batteries had to be replaced. The tech at Interstate warranted them out but said the next time, he would have to do a 48 hour charge to determine if the batteries are at fault. Again, the coach was connected to shore power the entire period.

This got me to thinking....is there something else going on??

The control panel no longer reads DC overload. Just shows the reading 12.4 to 12.6.

Thanks

[wb7auk]

If you are plugged into shore power and the batteries read 12.6 you need to find out
why your charger is not working as the voltage reading should be at 13.8 to 14.2
when the charger is charging .

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by wb7auk

If you are plugged into shore power and the batteries read 12.6 you need to find out
why your charger is not working as the voltage reading should be at 13.8 to 14.2
when the charger is charging .

One more finger pointing at the inverter I would think.

[fastcat]

Once the batteries are charged they should float at 12.7 or 12.8. They should only be charging at the higher rate of around 14 when they are discharged and being brought back up.

That said, the 12.4 or so is too low for a float charge.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by fastcat

Once the batteries are charged they should float at 12.7 or 12.8. They should only be charging at the higher rate of around 14 when they are discharged and being brought back up.

That said, the 12.4 or so is too low for a float charge.

The float charge should be about 13.2 volts and the Magnum display should indicate it is in float charge mode and display the voltage. I vote with the bad inverter crowd. Your batteries are not being charged correctly. Have someone knowledgeable of inverter/chargers look at your system.

Just saw this post:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/no-p...ts-193174.html

So now it looks like your batteries are not charging because you have a problem in the transfer switch. It could be just one leg burnt or open and if that is the leg that feeds your inverter then your batteries will not charge.

Bob

[JustCruising]

Thanks for the great information. I am leaning towards the inverter/charger problem. I am on my third set of house batteries in six months and no power to anything 120v when hooked up to shore power. My control panel indicates 50 amp is present but the display panel says "off" and 12.4 volts.

Would the transfer switch cause a charging problem as well? Is there a manual regarding replacing the transfer switch and/or inverter? Thanks again everyone!

[wb7auk]

Originally Posted by CrossCountryMonaco

Thanks for the great information. I am leaning towards the inverter/charger problem. I am on my third set of house batteries in six months and no power to anything 120v when hooked up to shore power. My control panel indicates 50 amp is present but the display panel says "off" and 12.4 volts.

Would the transfer switch cause a charging problem as well? Is there a manual regarding replacing the transfer switch and/or inverter? Thanks again everyone!

You have no AC power to anything when on shore power?
I would go to the main breaker panel and see if there is any AC feeding
the 50 amp breakers off the main buss. If not that tells you the transfer
switch has problems.
If there is power reset the 50 amp breakers and check their output to the
sub panel breakers.