Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

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Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

November 18, 2022, 10:18:53 pm

We'll be heading to LA (parking in Acton and spending time in Chatsworth) to see our new granddaughter.

Our batteries are not maintaining charge when on shore power. Everything else in the electrical system appears to be fine -14.6 volts when the engine is running, 110v outlets/microwave work on shore power, generator powers the 110v outlets, solar charges the batteries. But, batteries behave exactly the same on shore power as boondocking.

Hoping to find a good repair shop in the area to repair the converter/12v electrical system if anyone has a recommendation, thanks!

Re: Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

Reply #1 – November 19, 2022, 08:42:41 am

Hi, Kitty. The only place I have personal experience with in that area is Bob Howle Automotive and RV in Lancaster, about 20 minutes away from Acton. They did some mechanical work for me a couple years ago but they do RV electrical also.

Auto Service & Auto Repair in Lancaster | Bob Howle Automotive & RV

Re: Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

Reply #2 – November 19, 2022, 10:39:00 am

Kitty,

We encountered the same problem recently with our 2019. In addition to the members of this forum, I consulted Vince, formerly Service Manager for Lazy Daze, Inc., now of Leisure Coachworks in Fontana, CA, 909-428-6543. Vince and the team at Leisure Coachworks were helpful in helping me diagnose our problem. I highly recommend them, if you are in the vicinity and do not wish to tackle the problem on your own.

As for me, I found via “Real World” load test that one of our two AGM batteries was bad - I charged the batteries, disconnected shore power, measured voltage of each battery at the post, and then ran all 12v devices simultaneously. I continued to measure both batteries’ voltage periodically. And, after about forty five minutes, the voltage in one battery dropped precipitously (4.25v), indicating a bad cell or other internal failure. Because our batteries were still covered pro-rata under LifeLine’s warranty (LifeLine pulled two new batteries off the shelf and sold them to me at half price), we replaced them rather than upgrade to LiPO4 batteries. Additionally, with encouragement and support from members of this forum, I also installed a Victron “BMV 712 Smart” battery meter. We now consider the battery meter to be an invaluable tool to monitor the status of our coach batteries. And, I am very happy with this particular model Victron - see Victron product overview video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vA-EjSSBVA

I also concluded from conversations with LifeLine and Parallax that our Parallax 8355 charger/converter was overcharging our batteries while plugged in during storage (we kept the Coach plugged in while in storage). My intention is to replace this charger when I eventually upgrade to LiPO4 batteries. In the interim, I disconnect the coach batteries while in storage.

Best of luck to you…

Warren

Re: Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

Reply #3 – November 19, 2022, 03:43:46 pm

Thanks - I'll call for an appointment. Looks like it's the converter, so thinking about doing an upgrade to a different converter and lithium batteries.

Has anyone done this?

Re: Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

Reply #4 – November 19, 2022, 04:56:57 pm

Offhand, there are a pair of 30A fuses in the converter that could be bad, and a hidden circuit breaker between the converter and batteries. The latter will be ok if the solar fuse is at the converter, but suspect if that fuse is in the battery compartment. If the converter is ok, I would consider the battery monitor, such as Warren posted, to be a first choice of upgrade. It can be set to work with any choice of batteries.

Steve

Re: Recommendation RV Electrical Repair Near LA

Reply #5 – November 19, 2022, 09:25:24 pm

Quote from: Kitty - November 19, 2022, 03:43:46 pm

Thanks - I'll call for an appointment. Looks like it's the converter, so thinking about doing an upgrade to a different converter and lithium batteries.

Has anyone done this?

We recently upgraded from a converter that didn't do lithium to one that did lithium. The new progressive dynamics has a toggle to switch if you are doing lithium or other batteries.

Progressive dynamics sells converters that replace most other brands.

You can call their tech support - Dennis answers the phone and is more than happy to help you figure out what you need. Have your existing power center (brand and model if possible) as well as converter (if it is not the original one for that power center) when you call.

I believe you have to buy from one of their dealers, but one sells on Amazon.

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