Forum Discussion

lanerd's avatar
lanerd
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2014

Sunseeker House Batteries not charging

My friend has a 2012 Forest River Sunseeker Model 2860DS that doesn't seem to be charging the two 12v house batteries when plugged into shore power.

There is a large rotary switch next to the battery compartment that has: "Blue Sea System Single Circuit 6006" printed on it and it has an "ON" and "OFF" position. I assume this is the disconnect switch.

When I switch it to "ON" the batteries are being charged with about 14v, or so, but will NOT go into a float charge when the batteries are brought back up to full charge. It just keeps charging away to the point to where the electrolyte starts boiling.

When I first checked this, after my friend noticed that water was dripping on the ground below the batteries, I check and found all battery cells were full to the absolute top of both batteries. I removed a bunch of electrolyte out (abut 48 ozs) so that the level is down about half way to the cells.

Does this unit have a 3-stage converter/charger on it....or just a single that is manually operated? Never heard of such a thing.

Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Ron
Class C
  • TomGuinther's avatar
    TomGuinther
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    I also installed the PowerMax Boondocker charger to replace the WFCO charger in my 2012 Sunseeker. It was not charging correctly and as a result ruined my batteries. New PowerMax multi stage charger is excellent. It is slightly larger but fit OK in place of the WFCO. I haven't had to add water to the batteries yet (3 months) as the batteries don't use water due to improper charging. This is one of the best upgrades that I have made.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2014
    Ok, I finally found the manual and it seems that this converter/charger is working normally. The "absorb" voltage of 13.6 is, according to the manual, normal for this situation. 13.2 volts is the "float" charge and the manual indicated that the charger will probably stay at the absorb level unless there is absolutely no load at all on the batteries. Since the unit is hooked to shore power and the owner is not here (has been gone for a couple of weeks now), the minute amperage draw on the batteries from all the items requiring 12v to stay active (fridge and such), the converter/charger will stay at 13.6v.

    So it seems I had no worry after all. Unit is working normally.

    Thanks to all for some excellent advice/recommendations.

    Ron
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2014
    13.6 volts with converter charging battery is normal maintenance level for older chargers. With converter not charging, voltage at battery terminals should settle down to 13.2 volts over a few hours and with interior lights, etc., on it may drop to 12.6 or so. Old chargers will often overcharge batteries if rig is left plugged into shore power for long periods. Electrolyte levels will need to checked and replenished with distilled water often to keep electrolyte level above the plates. A rubber bulb type filler from an auto supply store allows accurate filling of cells without overfilling. RV converter/ chargers were designed for the rig being plugged into RV park power for a day or two and then the rig is driven for a number of hours and battery is charged by the engine's alternator, then you plug into shore power again at the next RV park. When you get home, you shut off the auxiliary battery switch to disconnect alarms and other things that continue to draw battery current and discharge the house battery. That's the theory anyway!
  • RedRollingRoadb's avatar
    RedRollingRoadb
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2014
    Long story short...

    The PowerMax Boondocker units are a direct replacement for the WFCO converters. I got mine from Best Converter, email Randy if you got questions. http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-Boondocker-Converters-_c_154.html

    I had a dead cell in one of my batteries and switched out the two 12v for two Trojan T-105's. Did the converter at the same time. If your friend does any dry camping of any length that is the way to go.

    FWIW I have an '07 Sunseeker 2860.
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2014
    lanerd wrote:
    My friend has a 2012 Forest River Sunseeker Model 2860DS that doesn't seem to be charging the two 12v house batteries when plugged into shore power.

    There is a large rotary switch next to the battery compartment that has: "Blue Sea System Single Circuit 6006" printed on it and it has an "ON" and "OFF" position. I assume this is the disconnect switch.

    When I switch it to "ON" the batteries are being charged with about 14v, or so, but will NOT go into a float charge when the batteries are brought back up to full charge. It just keeps charging away to the point to where the electrolyte starts boiling.

    When I first checked this, after my friend noticed that water was dripping on the ground below the batteries, I check and found all battery cells were full to the absolute top of both batteries. I removed a bunch of electrolyte out (abut 48 ozs) so that the level is down about half way to the cells.

    Does this unit have a 3-stage converter/charger on it....or just a single that is manually operated? Never heard of such a thing.

    Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

    thanks

    Ron


    Forest River just started using progressive 3 stage converters as a rolling change on the early 2015 models of the Sunseeker. So, the 2012 almost certainly has a single stage cheapo converter unless it was switched out after market. I'd switch it out..its not that expensive and not hard to do on the new ones (2014-2015 models) but I haven't see a 2012.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Does your charger have a current meter (ammeter) on it? If so is the current changing? A good but discharged battery will start charging with a high current, well not that high at 13.6v, and the current will decrease as the battery charges up.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2014
    Ok, I've had the charger on for four hours now, and when first turned on, the voltage went up to 13.6... guess what it is now? Yep, still 13.6. There is a little bit of bubbling, but not much.

    Not sure what to think about that. On my coach, the float charge is around 13.2v and the high charge is over 14.

    I will let it run for the rest of the day and see what happens.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2014
    tenbear wrote:
    If you could tell us the brand and model of the converter perhaps someone could tell you what to expect from the converter.


    Sorry, don't know the brand/model. RV is not mine and the owner is not available and is also a newbie who, I'm sure, has no idea even what a converter is.

    Posted By: smkettner on 09/10/14 06:33pm

    Sounds like my failed 55 amp WFCO converter stuck in boost mode.
    Anyway post the converter model for best answers.

    Could be a bad cell in one of the batteries. Do they hold 12.5+ volts for a few days after charging and disconnected?


    I am going to turn on the disconnect for a few hours today and see what happens.

    Posted By: CA Traveler on 09/10/14 07:02pm

    Load test the batteries as water overfilling and removal of acid will effect performance.


    As mentioned, I'll turn everything back on today and wait and see what happens.

    Thanks guys... appreciate it.

    Ron
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Sep 11, 2014
    Load test the batteries as water overfilling and removal of acid will effect performance.

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