House batteries not charging on A 1997 Damon Challenger

[monte433]

Been trying to figure this out, My converter is outputting 13.77v to the lugs that is supposed to go to the house batteries, all the systems in the coach work on battery power generator and shore power, I have continuity from the battery to the lugs on converter but no voltage through the wire why and how?

[Sweetbriar]

If you unplug from shore power or shut the generator down does all the DC powered devices shut down? Water pump, overhead lights, heating/cooling,,,?

[monte433]

Everything works as it should when it should batteries the batteries just slowly drain and won't recharge unless I use an external charger, Am I work in assuming that I should see that 13.77v at the batteries when they are discharged to 10v, I don't understand how I can have continuity but t not pass voltage

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by monte433

Everything works as it should when it should batteries the batteries just slowly drain and won't recharge unless I use an external charger, Am I work in assuming that I should see that 13.77v at the batteries when they are discharged to 10v, I don't understand how I can have continuity but t not pass voltage

You can't !

Check the connections and fuse/breaker that is near the battery in the circuit to the converter. They can be hidden and get corrosion on the terminals. Maybe enough to light some lights but not handle charging current.

Also check the negative wiring. A bad connection to ground will cause problems.

[monte433]

Originally Posted by twinboat

You can't !

Check the connections and fuse/breaker that is near the battery in the circuit to the converter. They can be hidden and get corrosion on the terminals. Maybe enough to light some lights but not handle charging current.

Also check the negative wiring. A bad connection to ground will cause problems.

So far nothing tomorrow I'm going to run a wire inside from the batteries to the converter to see if it will charge the batteries and then see if I can trace the old wire all the way back and look for problems, grounds are all good I just can't get the power to the batteries

[monte433]

Originally Posted by monte433

So far nothing tomorrow I'm going to run a wire inside from the batteries to the converter to see if it will charge the batteries and then see if I can trace the old wire all the way back and look for problems, grounds are all good I just can't get the power to the batteries

I will check the breaker again I have new ones ordered one has been bypassed so ordered all new ones

[monte433]

I think the biggest problem is somebody did some suspect wiring repairs in the past so far everything has been easily reversed just discovered this one late yesterday

[monte433]

Quick update,it's been too cold outside mess with, the only way the coach batteries will charge is off of the alternator with the engine running, going to have to learn more before I try again

[monte433]

I haven't had time to work on it with work and the weather, but I think I figured it out today after speaking with the previous owner that said it was working when I picked it up. I got to thinking about it and I think I may have either wire something wrong or just have a bad connection at the junction box above the generator, it's the only electrical thing that has been changed between then and now I had the generator out and replaced the ignition rotor that is between the engine and generator.

[Brecklundin]

stuck solinoid in battery control center? had one go wonky soon after buying our rig. I was so green at RV tech it took me quite a while to find those solinoid were mounted in the BCC behind the controller board. Found two went bad, one at generator and on in the BCC so I replaced them all. It was shell of a learning experience but worth it as I had to jump in the deep end feet first.

[monte433]

This would be an easy fix if I could find a wiring diagram or schematic but Thor will not provide me with one it's supposed to get warm today so I might get a chance to get out and play with it after work

[monte433]

Ok after a lot of probing with a meter and finding nothing, probably because I don't full understand how the system works, I was able to get the batteries to start charging today by repeatedly cycling the battery disconnect switch with the engine running, all seems to be functioning properly now.