Community Forums

wcorbit · 11-15-2012, 06:57 PM

I'm a recent owner of a 2005 Pace Arrow 37C and am getting the bugs out after my first partial season. I've encountered a potential issue with the battery charging system, when plugged in to shore power. I'm lucky enough to have inside storage at my work place, but have found the coach to be completely dead after a several week idle period (even though it's plugged in). I'm trying to root cause the issue, but cannot find the conveyer for life of me. I've searched this forum and looked in the kitchen, behind drawers, in the bedroom behind drawers, but cannot find it anywhere? Any ideas for this specific model/floor plan? I'm quite handy, so should be able to tell if the converter (charger) is working...if I can only find it.

Thanks in advance!

jesilvas · 11-15-2012, 07:41 PM

You can go to the batteries, unhook all the ground cables, and then test between the hot cable and the unhooked ground cable. That should be getting power from the converter. If not . . . you still gotta find it haha

Gary RVRoamer · 11-16-2012, 09:47 AM

In a friend's Pace it is under the washer-dryer, which is in the bath in his floor plan. There is a tiny access panel in the galley wall too, which is on the back side of the washer cabinet.

3wheeljunkie · 11-17-2012, 07:40 AM

Mine is under the refrigerator . I have to remove two screws that hold the panel on . My converter is bolted to the floor there.

3wheeljunkie · 11-17-2012, 07:45 AM

If you are having charging problems you may also need to check your battery control center . If you have one you can search this forum for the schematic and trouble-shooting guide

wcorbit · 12-03-2012, 03:19 PM

I found my converter underneath the washer/dryer in the bathroom. There is an access panel behind it, as well as a vent cover in the hallway. I believe I've isolated the charging problem (or lack thereof) as I have 120V into the converter, but no DC voltage out. I checked the fuses on the unit, and they are ok. Now the question is...how do I get this thing outta here!?!? Does the washer/dryer need to be removed? Or should I be able to squeeze the converter out one of the panels? If the washer needs to be removed...from the front or rear?

Sorry for so many questions, don't want to break anything, or bit off more than I can chew if it's a more difficult job than expected.

Thanks!!

macantic · 12-03-2012, 05:03 PM

My 2002 pace converter is under the fridge

jesilvas · 12-03-2012, 05:56 PM

That is a stand alone unit. Just unplug wires, unscrew it, replace

offshore · 12-11-2012, 11:34 AM

Ours was secured to the top of the inside bedroom cabinet. In the summer it would get very hot...so it over heated and died. I relocated the new unit outside in a storage compartmnent...works great.

teddyu · 12-11-2012, 01:38 PM

On my Damon, the converter will not charge the coach batteries if the DC system is disconnected by the "salesman switch". The converter will provide power to the distribution panel and everything appears normal except the charging of the coach batteries. Been there, done that. JM2¢...

campsmoke · 01-11-2013, 09:19 AM

I have a 2005 Pace Arrow model 37C - We are having the converter replaced today - it is located behind the washer/dryer - accessed through the vent panel in the hallway near the bathroom door - the technician undid 4 screwws to release the converter and pulled it out through the vent opening - checked its operation and is replacing it - had problems with it for some a year. Also had to replace both coach batteries. safe journeys!

campsmoke · 01-11-2013, 09:21 AM

I have a 2005 Pace Arrow model 37C - We are having the converter replaced today - it is located behind the washer/dryer - accessed through the vent panel in the hallway near the bathroom door - the technician undid 4 screwws to release the converter and pulled it out through the vent opening - checked its operation and is replacing it - had problems with it for a year. Also had to replace both coach batteries. safe journeys!

wcorbit · 05-16-2013, 06:32 AM

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!

jesilvas · 05-16-2013, 06:49 PM

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.