Shoreline not charging house batteries

[Chi27870]

Hi,

I have a 92 Winnebago Adventurer that isnt charging the house batteries when its plugged into shore power.

The alternator charges the batteries fine, putting about 14.4 volts into the batteries when I check the terminals with the RV running. I checked this at the battery terminals.

The batteries, which are probably bad, only read about 6.5 volts when on shore power.

I have checked the output posts on the converter, and im getting about 13.5 volts.

Im not sure if the solenoid under the hood has anything to do with it, but when I checked it with the motor off, I seemed to be getting about 6.5 volts out of one side of that. Im not even sure if I checked it right.

Any help would be appreciated, and I can send pictures if needed.

Thanks in advance,

Stephen

[Zigzag03]

Have you load tested those batteries with no charger active? 6.5 volts is a huge voltage drop and may indicate a battery or connection or possibly a cable on a rig of that age. Are they 2 6v in series? Could only one of them be passing voltage to the solenoid? Interesting problem, awaiting solution!

[YC1]

Welcome to the forum.

Seeing 14 volts while the engine is running indicates the alternator is able to overcome sick batteries but the converter/charger may sense bad batteries and not even attempt to charge.

Not knowing more about your converter/charger it is speculation.

Six volts indicates very sick batteries and if they have any age on them don't bother testing them, just replace them.

However, take a picture of the battery bank and post it so we can be sure you are accurately set up and taking the proper voltage measurements.

I'm concerned the wiring is correctly set up no knowing if this is a recent purchase by you or if someone has done some wiring. Six volts can be ok if you have 6 volt batteries in series to make it to the 12 volts needed.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm no expert but I didn't think the alternator charges the house batteries, only the chassis batteries

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!