Keystone Power Center/Converter Not Charging

[kxrwilli]

2009 Keystone Montana 305RLT - power center/converter appears to not be charging the 12 volt battery. Replaced battey with new one reading 12.7 volts. After about 12 hours the new battery was very low. Put external charger on new battery and was able to power 12v items (furnance and lights) and recharge the battery. I checked the breaker that was labeled Conv - it ws not faulted but I reset it anyway. Where is the onboard charger located? Is it part of the power panel in the image. Is there anything else I shold do to validate the function of onboard charger? I currently have a 3 amp battery tender on the battery - will that allow the battery to maintain a charge while running the furnance?

Appreciate any advice. Need to get this resolved for proper furnance operation in this cold weather.

[Carl n Susan]

I believe you have a WFCO power panel and the converter is deck mounted behind it. Pull the power panel out and the converter should be very close by. It likely has a dedicated 120V AC plug for it.


Assuming you are plugged into shore power:

• Ensure the outlet that powers the converter is working.

• Check the output of the converter with a VOM and it should be in the 13.4V DC range.

• The 2009 may or may not have a disconnect switch in the convenience center. If so, make sure the Red Key is where you can *NOT* remove it. This is the on position to charge the batteries. You can use the VOM to check for 13.V DC here by checking the contacts on the back of the switch.

• Next check the 12V DC self-resetting circuit breakers (CB) on the back wall of the battery compartment. They have red plastic caps. Check with your VOM for 13.4V DC on *BOTH* side of the CB. These are known to fail quite often.

• Lastly, check the voltage at the battery. If everything is good up to here, then the battery connections are suspect.

For more assistance, try www.montanaowners.com a sister RV Life forum dedicated to Montana RVs

[twinboat]

There should 2 be reverse polarity fuses on the converter. Check them if you ever sparked the battery cables backwards at any time.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by kxrwilli

2009 Keystone Montana 305RLT - power center/converter appears to not be charging the 12 volt battery. Replaced battey with new one reading 12.7 volts. After about 12 hours the new battery was very low. Put external charger on new battery and was able to power 12v items (furnance and lights) and recharge the battery. I checked the breaker that was labeled Conv - it ws not faulted but I reset it anyway. Where is the onboard charger located? Is it part of the power panel in the image. Is there anything else I shold do to validate the function of onboard charger? I currently have a 3 amp battery tender on the battery - will that allow the battery to maintain a charge while running the furnance?

Appreciate any advice. Need to get this resolved for proper furnance operation in this cold weather.

You may be able to get to the converter by going thru the rear basement in the storage area. Both our 5th wheels had an outlet there and the converter was plugged in to it.
Also, as mentioned above, check the fuses on the converter.