low house batteries and genset.

[gospelbike]

I knew I was going to have to replace my house batteries soon, but waited too long. As we usually never boondock, but plug in at a campground.
Coming home from camping this afternoon, it was hot so we ran the genset to power the roof air.
The ac ran for about five minutes and powered off. Then started up again and shut down a second time.
The generator kept running but I checked my house battery meter and it showed no charge at all.

Is the genset supposed to be able to run the ac independently, or will it not work with discharged batteries?

[gospelbike]

I knew I was going to have to replace my house batteries soon, but waited too long. As we usually never boondock, but plug in at a campground.
Coming home from camping this afternoon, it was hot so we ran the genset to power the roof air.
The ac ran for about five minutes and powered off. Then started up again and shut down a second time.
The generator kept running but I checked my house battery meter and it showed no charge at all.

Is the genset supposed to be able to run the ac independently, or will it not work with discharged batteries?

[Rick Long]

Your house batteries are charged with 12V from the converter. The converter is supplied 120V from the generator or shore power. You could throw the batteries out except they're needed to start the generator. Check the circuit breakers ON the generator and for loose connections. Check that you are getting 120V by turning on a 120V light.

[RV Wizard]

gospelbike, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences.
It does sound like you need to start at replacing the batteries. If shorted out they could even blow the fuse(s) on the convertor charger. You need 12 volt DC for almost all appliance controls; the air conditioner is included. As long as the converter charger could supply this, you could limp by, once you loose the charger/converter you have no control voltage to operate the air conditioner in this case. I would suggest you install new batteries & check the convertor for blown fuses or triped ciruit breaker in the 120 volt AC distribution panel. Drain the battery bank down a litle; check the voltage of battery bank with out power applied, plug in or start generator and remeasure the voltage at the battery bank. You should see an increase in voltage (13.8 approx.) if the charger is working. Good luck and keep us posted.

[sparetire]

Another problem I have experienced is when the batteries are low, the generator still supplies the inverter/charger. Well that charger can suck 30 or better amps trying to charge the batteries. I now have a Link 1000, made by Xantrex which allows me to see the amps used and alows me to actually program the shared charging amps. I have a 7500W genset, if I want to use both A/C's and the wife wants to use the Microwave at the same time AND the batteries are low, I will lower the shared amps to the charger to 5 until the batteries demand less or she has finished her speed cooking.

Happy travels,
Sparetire