Community Forums

TravelnPop&Nan · 03-02-2023, 10:05 AM

First off I want to say what a great site this is! And thanks to all who help to find fixes on the problems that arise if you own a RV. I started my 10kW generator to charge batteries and make coffee this morning. Things were going fine for two minutes or so, then the generator stoped charging the batteries and no 120. I recently replaced the transfer switch due to another power outage here, and not sure if there’s something wrong with the new transfer switch or I did something wrong. I pressed inverter off to see if that changed anything, now it will not go back on from inside, I have not gone out to look at it. I installed a new watchdog surge protector. To protect the RV from the power outage’s that we have here lots. We have no power right now because of lots of snow knocking down trees in power-lines. I need to keep the Rv warm and batteries are getting low. Hopefully I made some sense as to what is happening? Any suggestions as to where to start the hunt for the fix to this issue would be greatly appreciated.

**Lt Dan** · 03-02-2023, 10:33 AM

It looks like you have the charger turned off.

Do you have two green lights on as shown in the Spyder power page? The charger light should be on for the batteries to be charged on shore power. If it is not on, use the touch panel area on the bottom to turn the charger on. Using the microwave on inverter without the engine running or the generator can cause the house batteries to drop below minimum cutoff voltage.

If you don't have the operator's manual for the Spyder system, you need to go to Spyder Controls and download it. The user name is Tiffin and the PW is Motorhomes (case sensitive).

TravelnPop&Nan · 03-02-2023, 11:30 AM

The charger was on in the as shown in the bottom pic, and generator running and was not charging? I turned the inverter off, then tried to turn back on and it will not turn back on. Not sure why?

**Lt Dan** · 03-02-2023, 02:44 PM

All three of your panel photos show the charger to be off. The inverter is on in two of them but the charger is not as both green lights should be on. If the charger was on, you would have power flow lines from the Chg/Inv icon to the batteries. If the house batteries fall below minimum voltage, the inverter will not turn on.

TravelnPop&Nan · 03-02-2023, 03:32 PM

I don’t know how to turn on the charger? when I press on charge in the screen, it takes me to a page that says that turning off the charger can be bad for the batteries, cancel or turn off are the only options. I did not take a pic of that message. I don’t know how to turn the charger on? I need to read the manual maybe that will help. To keep the rig from freezing and causing more problems, I winterized it.

**Lt Dan** · 03-02-2023, 03:35 PM

You should be able to touch the icon at the bottom left of the screen that says "No Chrg" at this time and turn the charger on. If that doesn't work, I would turn off all 12v power to reboot the Spyder system, then try turning it back on after you restore 12v power. When you are on shore power and the charger is on the 12v power flow should look like this.

AllegroD · 03-02-2023, 03:43 PM

Go out and check physical CB on the inverter/charger.

While trouble shooting, you could run your engine to charge batteries.

TravelnPop&Nan · 03-02-2023, 04:51 PM

I did run the motor and it charged up good enough for now. I have winterized it until I get back next week. Then I will go at it again. So thanks everyone for your help, you will hear from next week one way or another, hopefully it will be just operator error!
Ps I am thinking I need to go camping with you guys, I am sure I could learn lots.

thegats1 · 03-03-2023, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelnPop&Nan

The charger was on in the as shown in the bottom pic, and generator running and was not charging? I turned the inverter off, then tried to turn back on and it will not turn back on. Not sure why?

I have zero experience with the Spyder system since mine doesn't have one. My only comment is, unless I am missing something, your bottom pic does appear to show the charger is offline like Lt Dan said.

Edit: apparently my screen decided to refresh after posting the above. I see everyone caught up to where I was and my post was irrelevant. Peace out.

CTIIpilot · 03-07-2023, 05:06 PM

Did you check the circuit breaker on the generator?

JohnCZ · 03-08-2023, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

You should be able to touch the icon at the bottom left of the screen that says "No Chrg" at this time and turn the charger on. If that doesn't work, I would turn off all 12v power to reboot the Spyder system, then try turning it back on after you restore 12v power. When you are on shore power and the charger is on the 12v power flow should look like this.

Lt. Dan, does every Spyder have this screen, or just the higher end Tiffins?

TravelnPop&Nan · 03-28-2023, 10:29 AM

CTIIpilot you were right it was the switch on the Generator.
The Generator switch on the generator was turned off? our cats did it, I think.
We like the simple fixes.