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Topic: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source (Read 442 times) previous topic - next topic
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Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
I have a 2003 26.5 rear bath. In the middle of a 1,500 mile trip, the coach batteries drained completely while we were out exploring Calgary, AB. We returned to a dead electrical environment.  After some troubleshooting I discovered that the RV alternator will deliver a charge to the batteries.  The 110 volt AC service works fine throughout the coach but it is not charging the batteries.  My short term solution:
I charged the batteries to 100% overnight then put the coach batteries on a 4 amp battery tender.  All system are working with this arrangement. With those facts in hand, I believe that the voltage inverter may be bad.  My question to you all is, how do I spec a replacement?  (I simply want to replace rather than upgrade or customize).  What is a suitable unit?  Where would I buy it? And, finally, where in the world is it located in the RV? I would  really appreciate input on this!
2003 RB
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #1 –
Hi JDiedrichs;  The 120V AC converter, the battery charging section has apparently quit working.  First check that the circuit breaker for the converter is turned on.  This converter electronics is contained in the section of your power distribution panel directly below the circuit breaker panel/ 12V DC fuses board.
   Just recently another member (Bonnie) is having this same exact problem.  Click on this link:   The generator is not charging the house batteries 
    Your 2003 is older and her converter section is different than yours. You should have a Parallax 7345 converter. There should be a sticker on the inside of the fuse panel door that specifies that.  Electronics has improved a lot in the last 21 years, and you probably can't buy, (and why would you want to?) a replacement converter. For a minimal cost, do upgrade the converter to the Progressive Dynamics PD4655V.  Upgrade Kits for Magnetek/Parallax   You don't need the fuse board or remote pendant.
   Check that the circuit breaker is on, (isn't tripped) for the converter input power.   RonB 
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #2 –
Quote
And, finally, where in the world is it located in the RV?

If yours is like mine, the converter and breakers are located where the arrow is pointed in photo number one. As you enter the rig, it's right in front of you. The bottom half is the converter and the top contains the breakers and fuses for the 120 volt and 12 volt systems. If you open the top part of the unit, you'll see the breakers on the left and the fuses on the right. The arrrow in the second photo points to the breaker for the converter on my rig. Your breakers will have been labeled at the factory unless another owner has changed the original labeling.
jor

09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #3 –
I wanted to take a minute to reach out to the folks who responded to my issue about house batteries not charging.  

THANK YOU!

Rather than summarily running out and buying a new inverter, I carefully checked the fuses a second time and discovered that I missed a hairline break in the 30 AMP inverter fuse.  Replaced the bad fuse and all is well.  

I replaced it with a Bussman Easy-ID fuse that will light a small LED when a fuse is blown (there must be 5vDC current on the line to operate).  Next time, identifying a blown fuse should be easier.

See: https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/products/electrical-circuit-protection/fuses/bussmann-series-blade-fuses/bus-ele-pp-5085-easyid-fuses.pdf

Anyway, thanks to all for the input. 
2003 RB
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jdiedrichs  - 


I replaced it with a Bussman Easy-ID fuse that will light a small LED when a fuse is blown (there must be 5vDC current on the line to operate).  Next time, identifying a blown fuse should be easier.
See: https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/products/electrical-circuit-protection/fuses/bussmann-series-blade-fuses/bus-ele-pp-5085-easyid-fuses.pdf


Changing the fuses to ones that glow when blown is a good idea and makes troubleshooting easier.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #5 –
Hi JDiedrichs;  You have the older Parallax with a matching fuse board.  I needed to replace the fuse board when I upgraded the converter with a Progressive Dynamics converter. and for those of us that have done that; The new fuse board has the LED that lights up for each fuse position, built in.  I also use a voltmeter, (OK, a not so retired electronics technician) and have three voltmeters, two in the drawer above my power center, one in a storage compartment, etc.  The light up fuses are really useful, especially under the dash.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #6 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
(OK, a not so retired electronics technician) and have three voltmeters, two in the drawer above my power center, one in a storage compartment, etc.  The light up fuses are really useful, especially under the dash.  RonB

But the real question..  is it  Fluke?  ;)

Ramon
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #7 –
Hi Ramon;  No, Too expensive for my blood. I did use Fluke meters , 77 and 87 models among others during my working years.
    Two of mine are small Radio Shack auto ranging, but with small displays. One other, that  Joan suggested here, is my mainstay. Versatile, high precision, large numbers, back lit, easy to use. My primary home meter.
    Multiple Harbor Freight. Durable, good enough and the price was right. I don't feel too bad if I drop one, or fry it! Oops!  My latest is a UNI-T UT210e Digital Clamp Meter AC DC Amp Meter Clamp Multimeter True RMS...  meter, (sort of cheap but does what I need).  I have friends, some  E.E.'s, with more exotic stuff if I need it, to borrow. From TDR's to oscilloscopes (Fluke IIRC), to micro processor ICE's (in circuit emulators),
    One friend dragged me to the S.D. Robotics Club, and that was great, but time consuming to keep up with.  RonB
  
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #8 –
"I did use Fluke meters , 77 and 87 models among others during my working years."

The very 1st VOM I ever used was a 1960s era Simpson 260. Never had any complaints with it. Kinda hefty and bulky but it did what was needed!
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
The very 1st VOM I ever used was a 1960s era Simpson 260. Never had any complaints with it. Kinda hefty and bulky but it did what was needed!

The VOM at one time was the workhorse of general voltage measurements, but as passive devices, they had fairly low input impedance. This often required making calculated corrections for precise results. Modern DVMs with 10 Megohm or greater inputs give more accurate results, and their sensitive ranges can measure things impossible in the VOM days. Since their brittle bakelite cases have mostly sent those old VOMs to the graveyard at this point, you will find very few around.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #10 –

In my early career as an electronics tech, the Big Three of instrumentation were Fluke, Tektronix, and Hewlett-Packard. We could count on any product from one of those three companies being sturdy, reliable, and accurate. Sadly, that's no longer true of "HP", but Fluke and Tek are still around and you can't go wrong with either one... if your budget allows it.

I owned a Fluke 8020 DMM, one of their first digital multimeters, way back when. I still believe that you can't beat a Fluke. But when it came time to replace it, after looking over the modern Fluke products and pricing, I ended up getting the Blue Sea 8110 clamp meter and a Klein MM1000 multimeter, and I've found both to be plenty good enough for my purposes. Sure, if I had a Fluke meter I'd feel good about it, but I'm not working on fusion reactors any more. ;-)

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #11 –
 "...the Big Three of instrumentation were Fluke, Tektronix, and Hewlett-Packard."

I interviewed at both Tektronix and H-P but finally took a position with Systron-Donner.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
 
Re: Coach Batteries Not Charging w/110 AC Source
Reply #12 –
Nice discussion on DMMs guys.    We have the Fluke 77 and 87s at work in fact one of the guys was servicing an electronic drawer and had 5 of them surrounding the drawer taking readings.  Wish I could say it was a fusion reactor ;)

I have a Craftsman  similar looking to a fluke..  have had it about 20 years.  Works good, and nice large display which really appreciate  now that my eyes are not as good.  I remember in the 70s when I was a kid, my dad bought a radio shack "multitester", the dial  gauge analog type.  I started using it as I was tired of messing with the "65 in 1 kit" so he bought me the same model but it was a kit you had  to assemble, solder etc. It was light blue instead of black.  He said if I could assemble and make it work, I could keep it, which I did,  I have no clue where either are now, probably in his garage.

Looked like this the attached.  Maybe some of you remember these.

Anyway, glad Jdiedrichs was able to solve his problem,  Some times its the little things.
Ramon
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.