Community Forums

vsheetz · 05-16-2013, 08:24 PM

Under the frig in my 2002 37A PZ. Was not charging the batteries once. Found the AC input plug had vibrated loose...

Old Bounder · 05-17-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcorbit

One more question related to converter/electrical/charging.

I replaced the converter a few months ago, after discovering discharged batteries while the coach was plugged in. I verified that the old converter was bad, and was back up and running...until now.

I'm experiencing electrical issues again. Had the coach plugged into an AC outlet for the past two weeks, after a trip. Went to move it yesterday, and the car and house batteries were too low to start (<9 volts). I'm looking for clarification of the electrical charging system. Can someone confirm the following assumptions:

1. When the coach engine is running, the alternator charges both the car battery and the two house batteries.
2. When the generator is running, the converter charges both the car battery and the two house batteries.
3. When the coach is plugged into AC, the converter charges both the car battery and the two house batteries.

I'm uncertain about how the car and house batteries are isolated. I know about the switch in the dash to jump the batteries in an emergency, but not 100% sure how each is charged. BTW, the house batteries were replaced last fall, I do not know about the car battery.

Lastly, I witnessed a quirk in the power management display when plugging the coach in a few weeks ago, where the current would not display, properly and all appliance lights were illuminated (even though none were on). I had to unplug, turn the main breaker off/on, then plug back in to "reset". Is there an intelligent power management system that I should check? Could this be causing issues, if something went bad?

I know it's a long post...thanks in advance!

Your understanding of how your PACE is supposed to operate is entirely correct. Here's a link to a document that explains it all. It has great diagrams and trouble shooting procedures.

Old Bounder · 05-17-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesilvas

I thought this:
Engine alternator charges chassis and house batts.
Converter being supplied by AC voltage (gen or shore power) only charges house batteries.

They are isolated with relays that are open or closed depending on different conditions met.

Some coaches (older Winnebago gas coaches) do NOT charge chassis batteries from the converter. MOST coaches made in the last 10 years do....

Fleetwood has been charging ALL batteries from ALL sources for at least 18 years.