Community Forums

patsikes · 01-23-2014, 12:51 PM

I need your brain power here...

We were dry camping in Key West over New Years and when we left batteries were 2/3 full based on the panel (whatever volts that equates to I don't know...).

On the 8 hour drive home I thought they should have been charged up but they were not..

My dad, who used to work on RVs checked the relay for voltage and he said it looked fine...

What else should I check??

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-23-2014, 12:55 PM

That was three weeks ago. Are you plugged in? If so your converter may not be working or your batteries may be shot. Give us all the info you can.

patsikes · 01-23-2014, 01:02 PM

They are still in the same state...no electric at our storage space....

patsikes · 01-23-2014, 01:13 PM

I should also add the batteries do charge fine on the converter when plugged in or on generator power...

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-23-2014, 01:17 PM

I don't quite know what your Father checked but it now sounds like your alternator wasn't charging on the way home. Or you have a drain of power while parked in storage. Hopefully someone else can add to this.

BP-Florida · 01-30-2014, 07:53 AM

PatSikes;
You need to get someone with a voltmeter to look at it. First take a voltage reading accross the house battery bank without the engine running. Then start the engine and get the RPM up to about 2000 and check the voltage again. You should see at least a one volt increase from the first reading. If there is no increase, you are not getting any charging current from the alternator. Hope this helps.
BP

Wb2IVU · 02-04-2014, 05:21 AM

Are the House Battery's charged from (by) the Alternator while driving? I understand they are whilst connected to Shore Power or when the Generator is running but when the motor is running?

vsheetz · 02-04-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BP-Florida

PatSikes;
You need to get someone with a voltmeter to look at it. First take a voltage reading accross the house battery bank without the engine running. Then start the engine and get the RPM up to about 2000 and check the voltage again. You should see at least a one volt increase from the first reading. If there is no increase, you are not getting any charging current from the alternator. Hope this helps.
BP

X2

And if no change in voltage do the same check at the chassis battery.