Community Forums

SandyBuTre · 04-12-2013, 09:57 AM

Engine runs, aux batteries depleted.

Skip426 · 04-12-2013, 10:10 AM

Most invertors ( 12v to 110 ) will shut down if the supply ( 12v ) voltage drops below 11.8volts.

SandyBuTre · 04-12-2013, 10:22 AM

Yes, and thank you. I read that in my manual but being new to a MH I would appreciate any info on steps to take to recharge the batteries. I know this is probably a trivial request but are traveling and suddenly nothing works.

Skip426 · 04-12-2013, 10:49 AM

Do you have a multi meter to check voltages with you?
If you have first thing to do is check for alternator output voltage; engine running; at both sets of batteries. Should be 13.8>14.2v.
Have you been pluged in to 110 power at home or in a park lately?
Checked all the 110 circuit breakers?
Checked for charge voltage at the coach ( aux ) batteries when plugged in to 110 power?
Checked that all connections at the batteries are clean and tight?

SandyBuTre · 04-12-2013, 11:03 AM

Plug into 50 amp service last night at a campground. Unplugged this morning and dead aux batteries. Hoped they would charge while driving. 2 hours later still no aux battery power.

bruceisla · 04-12-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyBuTre

Engine runs, aux batteries depleted.

Lots of causes for the house bats to run down but, assuming you are NOT plugged in to shore power, you will need to start the genset. Also assuming you can't start it because the house bats are dead, your best bet is jumper cables or removal of the house bats and recharge at an auto store.

If your inverter/charger is working as a charger it requires 120 VAC input (either the genset or shore power).

bruceisla · 04-12-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyBuTre

Plug into 50 amp service last night at a campground. Unplugged this morning and dead aux batteries. Hoped they would charge while driving. 2 hours later still no aux battery power.

Don't know why the inverter/charger didn't charge your house bats when on shore power but to charge on road from engine alternator you need an IRD (Isolator Relay Delay) or BIRD (Bidirectional Isolator Relay Delay) circuitry that is functioning correctly. Since neither the shore power (inverter/charger) nor the engine alternator/IRD/BIRD have charged the house bats, the house bats themselves are suspect (bats/cables/connections).

Are you sure the salesman switch (bat disconnect) for the house bats is not OFF?

Skip426 · 04-12-2013, 11:21 AM

Were the aux batteries charged before you plugged in ?
Alt output is tied to the chassis batteries so charging the aux batteries takes a long time if they are fully discharged.
Were all your systems functioning normally when you were plugged in ?
Any chance the 50 amp was not functioning and you were running off your batteries overnight?
Is this your first trip this season ? or is this a new problem after multiple trips this year ?
Is your coach equiped with a combination , invertor / charger or seperate units? Does your invertor power every outlet in your coach?
Charge circuits from the alt to the batteries are fused so if the aux batteries were dead that fuse may have blown .

Gary RVRoamer · 04-12-2013, 03:15 PM

Sandy,
Sure would help to know what year/make/model of coach and what inverter you have, cause we are all shooting in the dark without knowing more about the system you have.

It sounds as though the charging portion of the inverter isn't working, and also that the engine alternator can't charge those batteries either. That suggests that the electrical path to the house (aux) batteries is open, but without some idea of how your battery banks are wired to charger and alternator, it is difficult to guess. A blown major fuse, maybe 150 or 300 amp, seems most likely.

mytime · 04-12-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyBuTre

Plug into 50 amp service last night at a campground. Unplugged this morning and dead aux batteries. Hoped they would charge while driving. 2 hours later still no aux battery power.

Do you have any kind of Fault code in your panel? Flashing led's, etc. What type of inverter do you have and size.
Like said before, Start the generator if you can, you should have a boost switch to aid in the starting.

ruffian · 04-12-2013, 08:25 PM

Does your inverter have a switch to turn on the charger function? If so, is it turned on.

Have you checked all sides of your inverter/charger for circuit breakers, including pop-out type?

Do you have continuity between the house batteries and the inverter/charger?

SandyBuTre · 04-13-2013, 05:51 AM

Ok, I so appreciate all the info provided by all of you responding. We actually made our way to the Camping World in Robertsdale, AL. Since the house batteries were from 08 and we planned to replace this year we did that after we plugged into their electric service for an hour. Our best determination was the power provided the previous night was not (up to expected) power. We were draining house batteries all night.
We have more research to do because we never found the generator boost switch to try getting the generator cranked.
Sorry I didn't respond to replies, things were happening fast
We have a 06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L. Only has 13500 miles on it. We purchased it in Aug 12 and have put 4000 on it. Not sure about specifics on the inverter but I will get the info and put it on my manual for the next issue that comes up.
While the MH was in the service dept. it was determined our Amp pick up for the intellitec needed to be replaced. Will order that on Monday. Spent night last night at Five Flags Speedway with generator on auto all night and all is good.
Also I can't recommend spot 92 at Paul Johnson State Park.(south of Hattiesburg,MS). We will definitely get a different spot next time. Live and learn. Thanks again for all of the help. Sandy

"007" · 04-13-2013, 07:40 AM

Is your battery cut off switch on its always going to be on when you are usong your coach so the house batteries will charge.
If it was not quickest way to charge your house batteries now would be with a stand alone battery charger.
When Gen is running you have 12v from your inverter, converter may not be putting out the 12v for charging the batteries.
Look in QT's # 3, 1/2 way down has info on inverters/converters.

mytime · 04-14-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyBuTre

Ok, I so appreciate all the info provided by all of you responding. We actually made our way to the Camping World in Robertsdale, AL. Since the house batteries were from 08 and we planned to replace this year we did that after we plugged into their electric service for an hour. Our best determination was the power provided the previous night was not (up to expected) power. We were draining house batteries all night.
We have more research to do because we never found the generator boost switch to try getting the generator cranked.
Sorry I didn't respond to replies, things were happening fast
We have a 06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L. Only has 13500 miles on it. We purchased it in Aug 12 and have put 4000 on it. Not sure about specifics on the inverter but I will get the info and put it on my manual for the next issue that comes up.
While the MH was in the service dept. it was determined our Amp pick up for the intellitec needed to be replaced. Will order that on Monday. Spent night last night at Five Flags Speedway with generator on auto all night and all is good.
Also I can't recommend spot 92 at Paul Johnson State Park.(south of Hattiesburg,MS). We will definitely get a different spot next time. Live and learn. Thanks again for all of the help. Sandy

Sandy, Did you have to purchase new batteries or just the Amp Pick-up switch?