Forum Discussion

moman1's avatar
moman1
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013

Power problem?

So my batteries are dead. After calling the dealership I purchased the RV from last year and chatting with the service manager, I found out my problem was caused by me forgetting to turn off my inverters prior to storing it for a few months. So, my buddy and I took a generator out to it in an attempt to charge up the batteries. Well, this didn't work. The generator is a 2kw capable of 25 amps. When plugged in, I was not able to get any power at all inside the coach. The 30 amp and 20 amp adapter plugs both had lights on but the 50 amp plug did not.

So here's my thinking/questions:

1. I assumed I could plug into a generator just as if it were my house. Why could I not turn on any lights in the coach?

2. My backup plan was to use the generator to provide the spark for my 8kw generator which could charge up the batteries quicker. Once charged, I could use my auxiliary switch to start my engine and get everything going. Again, no power inside the coach from the "shore power". Was my thinking flawed here or is something else wrong?

3. My last resort was going to be jumping my generator. Then using it to charge the batteries. However, my generator is fully enclosed and I could not figure out how to jump it. I wish I could have been able to reach the engine batteries to jump them but I don't have a cable long enough to reach them as there is an RV parked next to it.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated because without any advice here, my next step is to hire a mobile RV repairman to come out.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Kevin
Class A
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    Ok. So here is the deal. I tried plugging into a generator capable of 25 amps. Nothing. So I connected my battery charger to the motor batteries and used the 50 amp starting mode. I got the dash to come on and off but could not get the motor started nor cold I get my own generator started. I didn't notice any bulging of the motor batteries but I did with the coach batteries. So I'm guessing those are toast and I might have a shot with the motor ones. I'm currently trying to charge the motor batteries at home so I get at least get the rig started to bring it home to work on instead of being at the storage lot.

    I'd like to make sure I'm accurate with something. So please let me know if I'm right or wrong with this. The 2 motor batteries are 12 volt each and the 6 coach batteries are 6 volt each. Also, there are many sizes of batteries (24, 27, 29, etc). Which is acceptable to use? I know some people will always say "might as well buy the top of the line". But when you're buying 6 or 8 batteries, $30 difference per battery makes a big difference.

    Any advice is appreciated.

    Kevin
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    moman1 wrote:
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    By the way, in your original post you said inverterS not inverter - do you by chance have more than one? Never heard of that but maybe you added a small one up front to power something??? Maybe that is why both chassis and house batteries went dead?


    Yes. My coach is a 2012 Fleetwood Discovery 40G and it comes with 2 2kw inverters. I don't know if they rune deferent parts of the coach or not but both were left on.

    Do you by chance have a residential fridge? That is probably why you have two inverters; one is dedicated to the fridge?


    Yes I do.
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    Kiwi_too wrote:
    Agree that you need to pull all batteries. Label the coach battery wires and take pics, before removing. If there are any bulges, proceed directly to a battery or autoparts store and exchange for new batteries. If no bulges, follow the instructions above of charging for a couple days and then have an autoparts store check them. You will want to ensure that the batteries are off charge at least an hour before testing.

    Does your converter require a battery inline to work? Most modern ones do not but you should post your MH make, model and year, as well as converter model. You should be able to disconnect the house batteries, plug into the genny and, if the converter is on and working, run the 12v devices (lights in your coach).

    Have you thought that the 50A light has not come on because the system did not detect 50A? This does not mean that electricity is or is not passing through. Do some checking at the circuit box and lights in the coach. If electricity is getting to the circuit box, check to see if your converter is getting electricity and that is putting out 14+ volts.


    Not sure if the converter requires battery inline to work. If most modern ones do, then I assume mine does. As for the 50 amp light, I think it remember seeing it on for 20 and 30 amp connections but not certain. It makes sense though. In any case, I still wasn't getting power inside.

    Thank you again everyone for the advice and help. You have really given me some great ideas and a plan to move forward.
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    moman1 wrote:
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    By the way, in your original post you said inverterS not inverter - do you by chance have more than one? Never heard of that but maybe you added a small one up front to power something??? Maybe that is why both chassis and house batteries went dead?


    Yes. My coach is a 2012 Fleetwood Discovery 40G and it comes with 2 2kw inverters. I don't know if they rune deferent parts of the coach or not but both were left on.

    Do you by chance have a residential fridge? That is probably why you have two inverters; one is dedicated to the fridge?
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    Lobstah wrote:
    racerchaser wrote:
    It is very possible that your batteries are d-e-a-d and beyond life support of any kind. If they were left in an ON condition for several months they may have discharged to a point of no return.


    Especially if they were dead and they froze. Did you visually inspect them for bulges? If not, then you should. If they were damaged by freezing, no amount of charging will bring them back to life...they're done.

    Jim


    I did not specifically look for bulges but I looked at them fairly closely and would have noticed them.
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    enblethen wrote:
    Cycle the battery disconnects, off then back on as they may have dropped out. depending on type.


    That made me think of something else - how do you know the batteries are dead? Did you remember to turn the battery disconnects back on? Don't want to insult you but that would be a nice cheap easy fix if that is all it was.......


    When I connected the battery tester it gave a fault that means battery too low to charge. Also, I can't power up anything in the coach at all. Turn the key and nothing.
  • moman1's avatar
    moman1
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    2chiefsRus wrote:
    By the way, in your original post you said inverterS not inverter - do you by chance have more than one? Never heard of that but maybe you added a small one up front to power something??? Maybe that is why both chassis and house batteries went dead?


    Yes. My coach is a 2012 Fleetwood Discovery 40G and it comes with 2 2kw inverters. I don't know if they rune deferent parts of the coach or not but both were left on.
  • AllegroD's avatar
    AllegroD
    Nomad
    Apr 28, 2013
    Agree that you need to pull all batteries. Label the coach battery wires and take pics, before removing. If there are any bulges, proceed directly to a battery or autoparts store and exchange for new batteries. If no bulges, follow the instructions above of charging for a couple days and then have an autoparts store check them. You will want to ensure that the batteries are off charge at least an hour before testing.

    Does your converter require a battery inline to work? Most modern ones do not but you should post your MH make, model and year, as well as converter model. You should be able to disconnect the house batteries, plug into the genny and, if the converter is on and working, run the 12v devices (lights in your coach).

    Have you thought that the 50A light has not come on because the system did not detect 50A? This does not mean that electricity is or is not passing through. Do some checking at the circuit box and lights in the coach. If electricity is getting to the circuit box, check to see if your converter is getting electricity and that is putting out 14+ volts.
  • Lobstah's avatar
    Lobstah
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    racerchaser wrote:
    It is very possible that your batteries are d-e-a-d and beyond life support of any kind. If they were left in an ON condition for several months they may have discharged to a point of no return.


    Especially if they were dead and they froze. Did you visually inspect them for bulges? If not, then you should. If they were damaged by freezing, no amount of charging will bring them back to life...they're done.

    Jim
  • racerchaser's avatar
    racerchaser
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    It is very possible that your batteries are d-e-a-d and beyond life support of any kind. If they were left in an ON condition for several months they may have discharged to a point of no return.

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