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09-13-2021, 04:18 PM
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#1
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Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Heflin, AL
Posts: 61
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Voltage Drop
We just got back from a trip and as we were hooked to shore power cleaning up our 2007 National Tropi-Cal, the lights suddenly dimmed. Checked the panel and there was a warning that the batteries were low. Voltage was showing as 9.4V. Checked the incoming power cable from my base to the RV and it was fine. The inverter lights were green as usual. I uplugged shore power, waited a bit and plugged back in. Everything normal again. Then about an hour later, it happened again. Any ideas??
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09-13-2021, 07:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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I'm thinking if the inverter functioned for a while; after a shut down; then the batteries show that low 9.4 volts , you have a shorted battery and the inverter/charger is overheating and shutting down .
Disconnect and load test all batteries .
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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09-14-2021, 08:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,593
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Do not run the inverter while on shore power, it's totally unnecessary.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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09-14-2021, 08:56 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN
Do not run the inverter while on shore power, it's totally unnecessary.
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It is necessary if the unit is a combination ; inverter/converter/battery charger.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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09-15-2021, 07:19 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central, SC
Posts: 757
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Sounds like a battery problem. When the inverter charger receives a high temp from your battery bank, it shuts down. If you can eliminate the bad battery(s)., You may be able to operate until you get home. Likewise turning back the charge rate may also keep your batteries from over heating.
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09-15-2021, 04:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,593
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
It is necessary if the unit is a combination ; inverter/converter/battery charger.
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I suppose a cheap model might only have one control, my Xantrex has separate switches for inverter and charger.
Why would an inverter/charger need a converter?
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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09-15-2021, 04:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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Dimming light are a battery disconnect switch issue.
The inverter/charger charges and maintains the battery voltage with cables connected to the batteries. You said thats all showing green lights.
The lights and other 12 volt items are powered thru the battery disconnect solenoid, including the panel volt meter. If failing, it can cause your problem.
The inverter/charger thru the BTW, monitors the battery temps to adjust the charging voltage slightly due to battery compartment ( outside ) temps.
It does not tell the inverter/charger that a battery is HOT.
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09-16-2021, 10:25 AM
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#8
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Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Heflin, AL
Posts: 61
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Update
When I checked the batteries, I found that they were all about dry. I check every month when docked at home and have not had to add water so that was a big surprise. I added water to all batteries and charged overnight. The batteries read 11.7 across the 4 and I could hear the batteries sizzling and they were all hot. Turned off the incoming power before I had an explosion or fire. Next, is pulling the batteries and checking for shorts.
Rssnapes mentioned turning down the charging voltage in a reply. What should I be charging at on the panel inside the coach?
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09-16-2021, 10:43 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunshot
Next, is pulling the batteries and checking for shorts.
Rssnapes mentioned turning down the charging voltage in a reply. What should I be charging at on the panel inside the coach?
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Your charging system will ramp up the charge rate depending on what it sees for the battery bank's state of charge . One ( or more )battery not taking a charge caused the charge rate to ramp up to the point where it boiled all the batteries dry. Probably 14.2 volts or higher.
Unfortunately , you should replace all four batteries, then closely monitor the charge rate with new batteries are installed .
When the new batteries are in and fully charged , the voltage should drop to approx 13 volts from the charger , to prevent excessive gassing of the electrolyte and the need to add water .
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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09-16-2021, 10:49 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,867
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Most smart inverter/chargers need to be PROGRAMMED.
They are only smart if you tell them what to do.
Typical issues are:
Battery bank size (in amp-hrs)
Battery technology (wet cell, AGM or gel)
Temperature (unless remote battery temperature probe)
Most are also smart enough to NOT try to charge a deeply discharged battery!
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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09-16-2021, 01:31 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central, SC
Posts: 757
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunshot
When I checked the batteries, I found that they were all about dry. I check every month when docked at home and have not had to add water so that was a big surprise. I added water to all batteries and charged overnight. The batteries read 11.7 across the 4 and I could hear the batteries sizzling and they were all hot. Turned off the incoming power before I had an explosion or fire. Next, is pulling the batteries and checking for shorts.
Rssnapes mentioned turning down the charging voltage in a reply. What should I be charging at on the panel inside the coach?
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Some inverters will let you set the charge rate as well as the voltage for the “absorb” or second stage. Setting them for new batteries should be based on the battery manufacturers recommendations.
With your batteries as they are, turning it down will keep the batteries cooler. If they are too far gone, it would be best to remove them all before you have a bigger problem.
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09-16-2021, 02:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NorCal
Posts: 3,000
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If they were dry and plates showing they are probably on there way out, time to replace.
__________________
Outbound
2002 Monaco Executive 500 ISM
2004 GMC 2500HD 4X4
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09-16-2021, 04:00 PM
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#13
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Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfe10
Most smart inverter/chargers need to be PROGRAMMED.
They are only smart if you tell them what to do.
Typical issues are:
Battery bank size (in amp-hrs)
Battery technology (wet cell, AGM or gel)
Temperature (unless remote battery temperature probe)
Most are also smart enough to NOT try to charge a deeply discharged battery!
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where & how do you tweak an inverter/charger?
When plugged into my home 15amp circuit=no problem
When plugged in the storage unit 110/15a...pops breaker!...have checked circuit with volt meter = 112v
someone said I need to change settings on the inverter? where/how
BTW: 2006 PaceArrow 35D
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09-17-2021, 05:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central, SC
Posts: 757
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PaceArrow06
where & how do you tweak an inverter/charger?
When plugged into my home 15amp circuit=no problem
When plugged in the storage unit 110/15a...pops breaker!...have checked circuit with volt meter = 112v
someone said I need to change settings on the inverter? where/how
BTW: 2006 PaceArrow 35D
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Storage unit should be 120 so it is popping breaker because the voltage is low which causes amps to go up. What brand inverter do you have? Look up the manual for your inverter, to learn how to program it.
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