Community Forums

huntnjim · 12-12-2014, 08:53 AM

I had understood, when you plug into shore power the inverters would automatically allow both house and chassis batteries to go on charge once needed or dropped below 12 volts or so.
My 2015 KA is in the shop at Transwest (where I purchased). They were performing a few punch list items and one was my batteries were not being charged when plugged in.
They consulted with Newmar and made some settings changes. They also said I must manually (turn off) the inverters once shore power is connected in order for the charger to work properly.
Thoughts??

vsheetz · 12-12-2014, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntnjim

They also said I must manually (turn off) the inverters once shore power is connected in order for the charger to work properly.
Thoughts??

mmm, no... system should automatically handle the charging.

GaryKD · 12-12-2014, 09:38 AM

Hi huntnjim,
When posting in the Newmar Owner's Forum take care to ensure you are following the advice of a Newmar owner.

Everything, with regard to batteries and charging on the KA is automatic, once the control setting s are made. The system will reliably do what you told it to do without any further intervention on your part.

I am concerned about the advice you received from the dealer. The KA has a bunch of batteries. If one battery is not performing, it tells me there is a battery problem. Also, I have never heard of a Newmar owner needing to turn off the inverter before charging takes place. It makes no sense. Gut feel says the dealer tech should have started this explanation with "Once Upon A Time". Newmar coaches are manufactured with the "BIRD" system. This will ensure all (chassis/coach) batteries will be charged fully when connected to shore power.

Please contact Newmar Customer service yourself. Then you'll get the correct story. Please post Newmar's answer in this thread as we can all learn from your experience.

FlyingDiver · 12-12-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntnjim

I had understood, when you plug into shore power the inverters would automatically allow both house and chassis batteries to go on charge once needed or dropped below 12 volts or so.
My 2015 KA is in the shop at Transwest (where I purchased). They were performing a few punch list items and one was my batteries were not being charged when plugged in.
They consulted with Newmar and made some settings changes. They also said I must manually (turn off) the inverters once shore power is connected in order for the charger to work properly.
Thoughts??

Please be a little more specific about what model RV you have. In Newmar parlance, the KA (KADP) was the Kountry Aire. There is no 2015 Kountry Aire, so are you actually referring to the King Aire (which is KGDB)?

The dealer was wrong. A properly installed inverter system (with BIRD) on a KGDB does NOT have to be turned off to charge. In fact, if you turn it off, you have no AC power to any of the inverter-fed circuits.

huntnjim · 12-12-2014, 10:48 AM

Yes this is a 2015 King Aire loaded with most all options. This is my 3rd MH and 2nd Newmar. I had a 2014 Mountain Aire and traded up earlier in this year.
I have always understood that the inverter/charger are automatic once shore power is applied. My experience also concurs with this.
I called Transwest again this morning and the (possibly new) service advisor stated he could have (miss spoke). He is checking with one of the senior techs for the correction.
I am disappointed he referenced (Newmar Tech Support) for the guidance.

"007" · 12-12-2014, 11:41 AM

The Bird System with the converter portion of your inverter/converter charges all your battery systems when plugged into shore line.
I am not sure with your Simplex system if something needs to be operated to do this in the program but never the less the Bird System still charges the battery systems.
There is more info on your coach systems in QT's # 3.

huntnjim · 12-12-2014, 12:07 PM

New guy Cole at Transwest called back a moment ago His senior tech spoke with Newmar again and says a different senior tech at Newmar corrected him. There is a problem with either the Bird system, Inverters or something in between. It will not go into charge mode unless you manually activate, by turning the inverters off.
They are troubleshooting and when done WILL work automatically when shore power is supplied.
2 other notes fyi:
The gps antenna is being replaced for the nav system, (stopped working recently)
The TPMS receiver is being replaced due to 2 tires was not being read by monitor.
Relatively speaking minor problems for such a complicated coach.
And one other fyi, I spoke with a guy that was dropping off a new Prevost. He has had multiple issues since taking delivery. Point is I don't believe there is any high end manufacture that has trouble free rigs.

wa8yxm · 12-13-2014, 06:15 AM

Some comments: INverters do not charge batteries, they discharge them
CONVERTERS (And chargers) Charge batteries.

Some "In-line" type inverters are really Inverter/charger, but it is the charger module that charges the batteries, and they charge only the house, not the chassis.

now, on a motor home is a device called a battery isolator, these come in basicaly two types, One way and bi-directional

One way, Engine alternator charges everything, but house only charges house

Bi-Directional both charge both.

If the problem is not charging chassis, it may be
1: You have a one-way isolator
2: the bi-directional one is not working properly

Normaily Bi-Direcrtional units do not parallel the battery banks till you get to around 13 volts. on the charging side.