Power charger (converter) issue

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October 12, 2020, 01:53:19 pm

We may be starting to have problems with our power charger in the power center box. The 12 volt DC charger which supplies power to the system and charges the batteries now causes the lights to flicker when the pump is engaged. Normally we are not plugged in and using the charger but when our 98 ~ MB is in storage we do plug it in with the charger off and use an exterior battery maintainer. A few days ago power was out for a couple days and there is not enough light in storage for the solarpanels to recharge the system batteries so I turned on the charger to boost it a little. When the pump was used all of the lights flickered and the pump sounded different then normal. I could test the charge voltage from the charger but I do not think that is the issue. Has anyone here experienced this? Any ideas? I am going to check which model power center we have to determin if there is a replacement charger available from Progressive Dynamics, some thing we have thought of replacing with their charge wizard for some time now.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #1 – October 12, 2020, 02:01:10 pm

The original Parallax in my 2003 was replaced with the 45 amp power center; this converter works well with the Blue Sky 3000i solar charge controller and AGM coach batteries. This link may be helpful:

4600 Series Upgrade or Replacement Power Converters

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #2 – October 12, 2020, 02:11:30 pm

Thanks Joan, I am heading out to see which power center model we have, I would prefer to just replace the charger. We also have the blue sky 3000i converter. It may be the case that the charger cost about the same as the whole power center? We bought a PD power center with their Charge Wizard from them for our son's tiniHouse and it was under $200.

   Karen~Liam
   98 ~ MB
   NinA

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #3 – October 12, 2020, 03:33:35 pm

"When the pump was used all of the lights flickered and the pump sounded different then normal."

Is the pump working properly when running? Maybe the pump has a problem; a loose electrical connection, pump, or motor failing?

Bill

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #4 – October 12, 2020, 03:53:41 pm

Quote from: krmugn - October 12, 2020, 03:33:35 pm

"When the pump was used all of the lights flickered and the pump sounded different then normal."

Is the pump working properly when running? Maybe the pump has a problem; a loose electrical connection, pump, or motor failing?

Bill

What I was thinking. How long since the DC terminals on the power box were tightened. Maybe the membrane in the pump has gunked up?

Don't think the converter/inverter is the problem. But, if you have the original it could be replaced. Does not matter what you have, any 45/60 amp would be an improvement.

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #5 – October 12, 2020, 06:55:59 pm

It doesn't sound like a converter problem to me either. More of a low voltage or poor connection somewhere type of issue.
Start by making sure the battery has a full charge, low volage can cause all sorts of problems
Put a voltmeter on the battery terminals, when there is a good load on the battery. Try it with the water pump running. Reecord the readings.
Then go inside and measure the low voltage inside the Power Center, under the same conditions and see if the readings are the same as the ones taken at the battery terminals. A.1-volt difference is normal but much more or any voltage fluctuation needs to be investigated.
With the 120-VAC, 12-volt battery and the solar controller fully disconnected, tighten everything inside the Power Center. Then work toward the battery, checking the hidden circuit breaker and all the electrical connections inside the battery box. Clean any electrical connection that looks iffy.

You can change the converter if you wish to. The stock converters are usually riveted in place, the rivets can be drilled and removed, afterwards, a new converter can take its place. If your Powerr Center is the same as used in 2003, the largest converter that fits is a Progressive Dynamic PD 9270, 70-amp converter. Any of the 9200 series converter will fit up to 70-amp, the 80-amp model is too tall to fit.
If you use a 60 or 70-amp models upgrading the wire between the converter and battery is recommended for best results.

Larry

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #6 – October 13, 2020, 12:04:21 am

Thanks All, the pump was just replaced 3 months ago, when the converter is off at the circuit breaker the pump runs fine and the lights are not blinking. I will check the pump connections and the 12 voltage side at the power center. The voltage readings on the Blue sky 3000i show 13.2. I will check the battery grounds but I am still wondering there is an issue with the converter on vs all is OK with the converter off?

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #7 – October 19, 2020, 05:49:50 pm

The pump vibrations might be just enough to affect the wiring for the converter/charger. I would check all it's electrical connections.
Jane

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #8 – October 19, 2020, 07:35:16 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - October 13, 2020, 12:04:21 am

Thanks All, the pump was just replaced 3 months ago, when the converter is off at the circuit breaker the pump runs fine and the lights are not blinking. I will check the pump connections and the 12 voltage side at the power center. The voltage reading on the on the Blue Sky 3000i shows 13.2. I will check the battery grounds but I am still wondering there is an issue with the converter on vs all is OK with the converter off?

Have you checked the converter and battery connections to the 12-volt fuse panel, inside the Power Center?
Loose or poor connections can do funny things.
Many of the older Power Centers have the converter and/or battery terminals on the backside of the 12-volt fuse panel, hard to get and many times ignored.
Getting to the terminals to check for tightness requires removing the two small nuts retaining the panel and pulling it out.
Before starting, disconnect every 12-volt supply of power, including the solar panels and disconnect the 120--VAC power.

Larry

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #9 – October 20, 2020, 01:19:30 am

Voltage output at the charger is 15.1 volts, seems high. the system voltage is 12.7 when I checked at the panel when the charger was turned off. I am going to go out tomorrow to check the connections and pump wire connections?

   Karen~Liam
   98 ~ MB
   NinA

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #10 – October 20, 2020, 06:59:46 am

Quote from: Karen & Liam - October 20, 2020, 01:19:30 am

Voltage output at the charger is 15.1 volts, seems high. the system voltage is 12.7 when I checked at the panel when the charger was turned off. I am going to go out tomorrow to check the connections and pump wire connections?

   Karen~Liam
   98 ~ MB
   NinA

Sounds like the converter to me. The voltage would go higher and be unclean when I put on a few more devices. The lights would flicker.

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #11 – October 20, 2020, 10:35:56 am

Quote from: Karen & Liam - October 12, 2020, 01:53:19 pm

We may be starting to have problems with our power charger in the power center box. The 12 volt DC charger which supplies power to the system and charges the batteries now causes the lights to flicker when the pump is engaged.

To a degree this is normal. The batteries have a very low impedance, and this minimizes voltage fluctuation caused by current variations in the battery draw, so no light flicker. However, the converter places a float charge on charged-up batteries when on shorepower, and that is a very high-impedance region of battery operation, so if the charger cannot supply enough current to keep up with the fluctuations, you will get flicker. Your batteries are probably fine, but your converter charger could be upgraded to a better design.

Steve

Re: Power charger issue

Reply #12 – October 22, 2020, 09:45:14 pm

I talked with one of the techs at progressive industries and explained that the output on the charger is measured at 15.1 and the lights flicker when the water pump is pumping. Looks like the the charger converter is toast, I ordered a new replacement from progressive industries. Thanks for the advice here and all of you that contributed.

Karen~Liam
98~MB
NinA

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Lazy Daze Owners' Group

October 12, 2020, 01:53:19 pm

Reply #1 – October 12, 2020, 02:01:10 pm

Reply #2 – October 12, 2020, 02:11:30 pm

Reply #3 – October 12, 2020, 03:33:35 pm

Reply #4 – October 12, 2020, 03:53:41 pm

Reply #5 – October 12, 2020, 06:55:59 pm

Reply #6 – October 13, 2020, 12:04:21 am

Reply #7 – October 19, 2020, 05:49:50 pm

Reply #8 – October 19, 2020, 07:35:16 pm

Reply #9 – October 20, 2020, 01:19:30 am

Reply #10 – October 20, 2020, 06:59:46 am

Reply #11 – October 20, 2020, 10:35:56 am

Reply #12 – October 22, 2020, 09:45:14 pm

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