Forum Discussion

lacofdfireman's avatar
lacofdfireman
Explorer
Feb 04, 2016

How do I know if my Charger, Converter is bad? Pics inside

So I've noticed that when I am running my generator that my house batteries (2 6v Trojan T105's) are not charging. I've checked all my fuses etc and everything is good. The Charger, Converter has 2 30amp fuses that are both good. When I measure at the plug receptacle where the Charger plugs in I'm getting 120v. When I check at the terminals where the battery leads come in I'm getting 12v. When I turn on the generator and measure the leads that come from the battery it never goes over about 12.65v. I would think that the Converter, Charger would be showing 13+ volts? Any idea what is going on? I've pulled my Converter, charger to take it to the dealer tomorrow and see if maybe they can test it with a load or differently somehow..

Here is what my Charger, Converter looks like..
Class A
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2016
    The picture isn't there.

    Regardless, your logic is sound and I think your diagnosis is probably correct. There's always the chance of some other problem, a connection between the converter and the battery for instance, but I think you've ruled out the usual suspects other than the converter pretty well.

    It may, of course, take a reasonably long time (hours) for the voltage to rise to the full output level if the batteries are discharged a fair bit, as they would be at a 12V resting voltage.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    Many rigs have an auto-reset breaker near the battery - doesn't look like normal breaker or fuse - should find a picture of it with Google search. If the auto reset breaker goes toes up then battery is isolated from the system.
  • lacofdfireman's avatar
    lacofdfireman
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    ksg5000 wrote:
    Many rigs have an auto-reset breaker near the battery - doesn't look like normal breaker or fuse - should find a picture of it with Google search. If the auto reset breaker goes toes up then battery is isolated from the system.


    I do have a a few places that look like that. We measured 12v at all of them?

    If it does end up being the Converter, Charger which one should I upgrade to?
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    lacofdfireman wrote:
    ksg5000 wrote:
    Many rigs have an auto-reset breaker near the battery - doesn't look like normal breaker or fuse - should find a picture of it with Google search. If the auto reset breaker goes toes up then battery is isolated from the system.


    I do have a a few places that look like that. We measured 12v at all of them?

    If it does end up being the Converter, Charger which one should I upgrade to?


    I use a Progressive Dynamics 9200 series converter - they are popular on this forum. Check the amp output on your current converter and get something similar.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2016
    DrewE wrote:
    It may, of course, take a reasonably long time (hours) for the voltage to rise to the full output level if the batteries are discharged a fair bit, as they would be at a 12V resting voltage.
    x2

    I'm missing something. Your OP seems to indicate you read 120v before turning on the generator. Huh? Does it charge on shore power?
  • lacofdfireman's avatar
    lacofdfireman
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    2oldman wrote:
    DrewE wrote:
    It may, of course, take a reasonably long time (hours) for the voltage to rise to the full output level if the batteries are discharged a fair bit, as they would be at a 12V resting voltage.
    x2

    I'm missing something. Does the charger work on shore power?


    When I took the charger out of the RV I plugged it in to one of my house outlets and I measured voltage where the battery wires come in to the charger and it measured 12.65v Is that what your asking? I never actually plugged in my 50amp shore power to check the converter thy way. I only checked it off the generator.
  • lacofdfireman's avatar
    lacofdfireman
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    Also I wanted to ask another question. My Converter/Charger was a major PITA to get out of my Motorhome. They had it packed into an area so tight you couldn't hardly get to the screws to remove it. There's plenty of room in the compartment to relocate it but the 4awg wire coming from the batteries to the converter/charger are way to short. To be honest I'm not sure I can even get it back in because there's no room to work in there. Can I just wire nut on some 4awg wire extensions and make it so its serviceable? I'd need to extend the wires probably a foot.
  • lacofdfireman's avatar
    lacofdfireman
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    2oldman wrote:
    DrewE wrote:
    It may, of course, take a reasonably long time (hours) for the voltage to rise to the full output level if the batteries are discharged a fair bit, as they would be at a 12V resting voltage.
    x2

    I'm missing something. Your OP seems to indicate you read 120v before turning on the generator. Huh? Does it charge on shore power?


    Sorry. I am getting 120 from the generator.
  • michigancougar's avatar
    michigancougar
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    I had bought several converters and sold them from surplus - when tested with no load they all showed 13.5 to 13.55 volts - so yours sound low compared to those

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