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Strador's avatar
Strador
Explorer
Oct 24, 2020

12 volt DC not charging on shore power.

We are out camping this weekend and the 12 volt isn’t charging on shore power. Which of course means my lights and thermostat amount a few other things aren’t working. If I start the engine everything works just fine. I don’t have a multimeter or anything to check the incoming power to the battery. Anyone have any tips or tricks to work around this. The rig is a 2019 Entegra odyssey.
  • 50 amp rigs are not 240 volts!
    They are 120/240 volts.
    OP has two A/C units which normally on a rig with 50 amp shore power. Each A/C unit is on different legs of shore power.
    One A/C unit would be on primary leg of shore power along with most of the 120 receptacles and the converter. Some receptacles on rigs equipped with an inverter could be fed by or through the inverter.
  • enblethen wrote:
    Sounds like you have a fifty amp shore power and the main leg is not working. Are you using an adapter?
    Start the genset if equipped and see if everything works.


    Master Electrician here. Please tell me how you determined this to be a 50 amp rig? 50 amp RV power is 240 volts. It is made up of TWO main legs each being 120 volts. 240 between the two. 30 amp RV power is 120 volts. One main leg.
  • Strador wrote:
    enblethen wrote:
    Converter is not working.
    Check for 120 volts AC to rig. Check to see if microwave or A/C works. Use a 120 volt appliance to check receptacles. Verify circuit breakers are set. Turn off all circuit breakers applying light pressure toward off. Then turn on main circuit breaker if equipped followed by branch breakers.
    Verify that GFCI receptacles are not tripped.


    Microwave works no issues ever. We have 2 AC’s one works, it’s a stand alone, the main one connected to the thermostat me doesn’t work. Checked all the breakers nothing is tripped. The fuses connected to battery are all intact, there are 2 of them. All of my outlets are working except one. The one the TV is plugged into, guessing that is 12 volt because ones I start the engine everything works. One other thing I just noticed the main power switch doesn’t work either, unless the engine is running.


    The TV outlet is powered by the Inverter. The inverter is powered by 12 volts. Invwrter changes 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC. I am assuming you are calling the main power switch the "Battery Disconnect switch".(salesman switch) The RV world considers the Main Power switch to be the 120 main circuit breaker. Check the battery voltage. be sure the Salesman switch is on. Check 120 volts to the Converter with a voltmeter. If you don't have a voltmeter get one and learn to use it. AS you now see it is nessessary.
  • To get through the trip consider getting a portable automatic battery charger.
    Need minimum 5 amp rating and 10+ amps is better. Put it direct on the battery terminals and let it run.
    Don't forget an extension cord if needed.
  • Sounds like you have a fifty amp shore power and the main leg is not working. Are you using an adapter?
    Start the genset if equipped and see if everything works.
  • enblethen wrote:
    Converter is not working.
    Check for 120 volts AC to rig. Check to see if microwave or A/C works. Use a 120 volt appliance to check receptacles. Verify circuit breakers are set. Turn off all circuit breakers applying light pressure toward off. Then turn on main circuit breaker if equipped followed by branch breakers.
    Verify that GFCI receptacles are not tripped.


    Microwave works no issues ever. We have 2 AC’s one works, it’s a stand alone, the main one connected to the thermostat me doesn’t work. Checked all the breakers nothing is tripped. The fuses connected to battery are all intact, there are 2 of them. All of my outlets are working except one. The one the TV is plugged into, guessing that is 12 volt because ones I start the engine everything works. One other thing I just noticed the main power switch doesn’t work either, unless the engine is running.
  • Converter is not working.
    Check for 120 volts AC to rig. Check to see if microwave or A/C works. Use a 120 volt appliance to check receptacles. Verify circuit breakers are set. Turn off all circuit breakers applying light pressure toward off. Then turn on main circuit breaker if equipped followed by branch breakers.
    Verify that GFCI receptacles are not tripped.