Community Forums

nuck · 05-21-2018, 07:29 PM

I posted earlier about replacing the two 6 volt golf cart batteries in my 2004 Coachmen Santara grand. Generator was dead and one of the batteries was down to under 4 volts. I put new ones in of the same type a couple of days ago and they are now dead again. Unit is not charging off the engine.

A guy at my campsite thought maybe the inverter was faulty. Spec sheet says I have 55amp unit. Is there a drop-in modern upgrade for the 2004 unit? I will take it in to a shop this week to confirm what the issue is, but I would like to source some of the better options rather than just what the dealer grabs off the shelf. Who has done this?

Thanks for any responses.

Unplanned Tourist · 05-21-2018, 09:13 PM

If neither the engine alt, or the shore power are charging the batteries, I would suspect a problem with the BIRD switch.
Check all the connections and grounds first.
Happy Glamping.

nuck · 05-21-2018, 10:00 PM

Thanks. Do you know where the BIRD is located on a workhorse chassis?

Unplanned Tourist · 05-21-2018, 10:40 PM

Mine is located under/behind the side entry steps. It's a 2007 W24 chassis under a 2008 38J body.
Happy Glamping.

Skip426 · 05-21-2018, 10:57 PM

Please read your spec sheet carefully , there is a big difference between a 55 amp converter and an inverter .
A converter takes 120 volt shore power and produces 12 to 14 volts of DC power to charge the batteries, and keep the lights and other systems in the coach working .An inverter depending on the unit could charge the batteries AND when the coach isn't on shore power it produces 120 volts AC power for outlets in the coach.
If you have just a converter , there may be blown fuses on the unit stopping it from charging the batteries.
If you have an inverter there will be circuit breakers that may need to be reset.
This document has info on BIRD systems, and other coach electrical systems , that may come in handy as your looking for your problem.
Do you have a volt meter?

Roy1 · 05-21-2018, 11:03 PM

Progressive dynamics sells a 4 step modern replacement unit that replaces the old type converter in some popular converters. Helped a friend replace the old oboselete one in his Montana trailer worked out nicely and it wasn’t expensive,

twinboat · 05-22-2018, 03:59 AM

Your converter has nothing to do with house battery charging while driving.

The alternator tops off and charges the chassis battery and then connects that to the house battery thru an isolator solenoid.

If you have a BIRD, that controls the isolator solenoid, otherwise just turning on the key or starting the engine does.

When plugged in, your converter OR inverter/charger ( if you have one ) handles the house batteries. Then the BIRD will tie in the start battery after charging the house battery.

nuck · 05-22-2018, 06:38 AM

Thanks for all the replies. The campsite guy said inverter so I posted that, but RVweb.com says "55 Amp. 110/12-Volt Power Converter" and their info looks like taken right from Coachmen.

Doesn't charge while driving and I was plugged into 30AMP service all weekend and batteries didn't charge and generator wouldn't turn over. This was my first run ever, and I had just put my batteries back in for the winter. I am wondering if I hooked the cables wrong and damaged something because they are all black. I didn't use house power for anything when I was prepping for my trip except to start the gen once for 2 minutes the day before (started fine)and a day later, no gen, no fridge, no slides.

I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when I pulled the first dead batteries out, but like I said, I'm a total noob. I had a diagram to refer to when I put the new batteries in so I know I have them in proper series now. I got a couple days use and they are dead again.

twinboat · 05-22-2018, 07:31 AM

The converter should have reverse polarity fuses in it. Check them. They are typically 30 or 40 amp ATC push in fuses.

The charging while driving issue could be a tripped breaker. Follow thr battery cables from each set of batteries.. They should lead you to some breakers that look like this.

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YC1 · 05-22-2018, 07:39 AM

If shoreline nor the alternator is charging the batteries you have something in the charge path not allowing that power to get to them.

I don't know the layout of your system so can't get to the heart of it without some pictures and the use of a voltmeter.

Carefully follow your wires and see if you can trace physical components such as solenoids etc.

Unplanned Tourist · 05-22-2018, 08:22 AM

Do the interior lights work while plugged into shore power? If they go out as soon as you unplug, it could be as simple as the "Salesman" switch is turned off.

Have you looked for that switch? It may be marked " House Batt" or "Coach Batt".
When we first got our rig it happened to me!

Happy Glamping..

nuck · 05-22-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Do the interior lights work while plugged into shore power? If they go out as soon as you unplug, it could be as simple as the "Salesman" switch is turned off.

Have you looked for that switch? It may be marked " House Batt" or "Coach Batt".
When we first got our rig it happened to me!

Happy Glamping..

No, the battery switch is right by the power step switch so not hidden away. I have an RV guy coming to see it on Thursday so will let you folks know what he finds.

nuck · 05-24-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The converter should have reverse polarity fuses in it. Check them. They are typically 30 or 40 amp ATC push in fuses.

The charging while driving issue could be a tripped breaker. Follow the battery cables from each set of batteries.. They should lead you to some breakers that look like this.
Attachment 203785

You nailed it twinboat. Two 30 amp fuses at the converter were blown, the unit itself is fine. As far as the hi-amp buss, I should be looking on the engine side of the batteries, likely underneath somewhere? We were not in a place where I could get under it.