I am new to this forum having just found a heck of a deal on a Proven Tiger CX, on a 2011, 4WD, F350 regular cab. The good news is that it only has 7,500 miles on it. The bad news is that is probably sat too long after the original owner died and the family pondered what to do with it. One casualty includes the house batteries, both totally dry, one cracked and won't hold water. They are Interstate, open cell, and I believe they are 6 volt. I never had 6 volt but the batteries appear smaller and I hear that Proven uses them in their vehicles. My question is this. 12 volt systems work with the truck engine running. 120 volt works when plugged in or with the generator running. However, 12 volt only works with the engine running and not when plugged in or with the generator on. Is this because of the obviously dead batteries? I will of course be replacing the batteries and hope the dead ones are blocking 12V power when on 120. If not, I guess the next possible culprit is the converter. PS: I will search the forum but would also welcome thoughts on replacing the two 6 volt batteries. They are under the floor and NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to access. So I am thinking some sort of sealed, maintenance free battery. A friend with a Proven suggests AGM but I don't know whether they are worth the extra cost.

Your rig may have a battery disconnect which would not allow battery(ies) to work.The 120 volt system should be powering a converter which charges the battery system. Check to make sure converter is operating and breakers are on. Check for main battery and converter fuses in the 12 volt DC power distribution panel. These fuses are normally adjacent to the 120 volt circuit breakers behind small metal plate.Disconnect the bad battery and see if system operates. Look for make and model of the converter.

enblethen wrote:Your rig may have a battery disconnect which would not allow battery(ies) to work.The 120 volt system should be powering a converter which charges the battery system. Check to make sure converter is operating and breakers are on. Check for main battery and converter fuses in the 12 volt DC power distribution panel. These fuses are normally adjacent to the 120 volt circuit breakers behind small metal plate.Disconnect the bad battery and see if system operates. Look for make and model of the converter.______________________I have tried 12V with the battery disconnect on and off. Earlier I also had no 120 volt when plugged in. Flipping breakers did nothing but I did solve it by turning off all circuit breakers while unplugged, then plugging in, then turning on each breaker one by one. Although that seems a bit odd, apparently the circuit breakers are now OK. Yes, I should have checked all those little fuses which I will do now. And good point, I should try disconnecting the dead batteries to see if that does anything. But with both dead and one cracked open, they are probably in effect disconnected already.THANKS

Some older converters require a good battery to work. Your 2011 is probably new enough that no battery is required. Batteries in the condition you described could pull the converter output way down, and possibly damage it.You can tell if the batteries are 6 volt by checking the wiring. 6 volt batteries are wired in series, one negative to ground, it's positive to the other battery's negative, while 12v batteries are wired in parallel, positive together and negatives together.

You have the choice of replacing with 6 V or 12 V batteries. Carefully measure the space available before shopping for new batteries.

UPDATE: All mini fuses are OK. The house batteries are now removed. Still no 12V power on AC, only with engine running. Also, as to the option to switch to 12 volt ... I suspect the 2 batteries are 6 volt and in a difficult to reach under the floor location because of limited space. I might be able to switch to 12 volt but it would be very tight.

Would a dead house battery disable 12V when on shore power

22 Replies

enblethen
Nomad
Jun 30, 2015
Another good place and price for 6 volt golf cart batteries is Costco. About $80 each
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2015
Dragonfly wrote:
Finally on the Dynamax. I don't have the reference anymore but I once read that Dynamax and Pheonix had a dispute over the design we shared. Dynamax was trying to produce a less expensive camper with the Carri-Go but either it didn't work out or they lost the dispute with Pheonix. Dynamax is now back to making mostly high end and larger products.
When I drove to the Phoenix factory back in 2007 to pick up our new rig back then, I was surprised to see the Dynamax factory just down the street a block away. Maybe they were trying a partnership thing, maybe not. Who really knows.

It seems Dynamax over-lapped, then replaced their Carri-Go with the Isata line-Up. Some time thereafter they dropped all products on the E350/E450 platform.
Dragonfly
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
burlmart wrote:
do you know any more of the history between carri-go and phoenix. i noticed they were twins over 10 yrs back, and never could find the connection.

I would have to search to find the source and I can't verify this but I just posted this as part of another message:

On the Dynamax. I don't have the reference anymore but I once read that Dynamax and Pheonix had a dispute over the Cruiser and Carrigo design. Dynamax was trying to produce a less expensive camper with the Carri-Go but either it didn't work out or they lost the dispute with Pheonix. Dynamax is now back to making mostly high end and larger vehicles.
Dragonfly
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
RON: I decided 2 six volt mostly because in my Provan the batteries are under the floor in a very small space and I doubt I could get twelve volt in there.

I am reluctant to go with the Duracell brand, even if Interstate or some such company made them. I worry about the "Walmart effect" where Walmart insists on lower prices and manufacturers cut corners to get there. Rubbermaid products are a good example. They now have a cheaper line of plastic products at Walmart that cracks when you drop them just like the cheaper Sterlite. It is hard to know whether when a company rebrands something they build if it is the exact same product as their flagship brand or a different version of it.

Finally on the Dynamax. I don't have the reference anymore but I once read that Dynamax and Pheonix had a dispute over the design we shared. Dynamax was trying to produce a less expensive camper with the Carri-Go but either it didn't work out or they lost the dispute with Pheonix. Dynamax is now back to making mostly high end and larger products.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2015
Dragonfly wrote:
ron.dittmer wrote:
For reference, I bought a pair of 6V AGM batteries a few months ago from Sam's Club. I recall they were $180 per battery.

CLICK HERE to get to the Sam's Club webpage. Prices are posted when you specify your local Sam's Club.

I have received comments from other RVers that these are real good batteries, made from a very good AGM supplier for Duracell.....whatever that means.

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Geeez thanks for confusing me more. That is A LOT cheaper than either the Interstate or the Excide, although I will have to join Sam's Club. Arrrrgh. I really want to go Interstate which has worked well for me but other lower prices are really making this decision difficult.

PS: My last motorhome was a rear bed Dynamax Carri Go. It is a twin of the Phonex. I had it for ten years and really enjoyed it. The Proven Tiger I have now is 4WD, on an F350, with super high ground clearance, and on a F350 footprint, making parking turning and backing very nice (I will be adding a photo to my signature as soon as I figure out how). But, I do miss the room. I love your outside paint and your interior is spectacular. Mine was a bit simpler but basically the same. How the heck do your get that thing in your garage. You must have a custom garage or, let the air out of your tires to get it in there.
About batteries, the Sam's Club Duracell might be made by the same company you prefer. Do a little research, or ask that question independently on the forum. People here know these things.

I started a thread HERE about 6V versus 12V which had me spinning from all the data. In the end I took a leap of faith and went with a pair of 6V Duracell AGMs. I have yet to take an extended trip without shore power to verify I made a good decision.

About your previous rig, a Carri-Go. Back in the day, I really wanted a make a Carri-Go work but it's too tall a/c unit had me stalled. When I later learned of the newer lower profile PC-2350, I was redirected there. Comparing early 2000 model years, the two brands appear to be made by the same company. The Carri-Go and Phoenix Cruiser 2350 do seem to be cousins. I too wonder if they have a common past.

Because of finishing trim on my garage door, the true opening is 9'-11.25" tall. Our PC with empty tanks and full tire pressure does clear the opening by what appears to be 1.5". The low profile a/c unit helped to make it work.
burlmart
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
Dragonfly wrote:

PS: My last motorhome was a rear bed Dynamax Carri Go. It is a twin of the Phonex. I had it for ten years and really enjoyed it. The Proven Tiger I have now is 4WD, on an F350, with super high ground clearance, and on a F350 footprint, making parking turning and backing very nice (I will be adding a photo to my signature as soon as I figure out how). But, I do miss the room. I love your outside paint and your interior is spectacular. Mine was a bit simpler but basically the same. How the heck do your get that thing in your garage. You must have a custom garage or, let the air out of your tires to get it in there.

do you know any more of the history between carri-go and phoenix. i noticed they were twins over 10 yrs back, and never could find the connection.

BTW costco kirkland batts are interstate.
Dragonfly
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
ron.dittmer wrote:
For reference, I bought a pair of 6V AGM batteries a few months ago from Sam's Club. I recall they were $180 per battery.

CLICK HERE to get to the Sam's Club webpage. Prices are posted when you specify your local Sam's Club.

I have received comments from other RVers that these are real good batteries, made from a very good AGM supplier for Duracell.....whatever that means.

----------
Geeez thanks for confusing me more. That is A LOT cheaper than either the Interstate or the Excide, although I will have to join Sam's Club. Arrrrgh. I really want to go Interstate which has worked well for me but other lower prices are really making this decision difficult.

PS: My last motorhome was a rear bed Dynamax Carri Go. It is a twin of the Phonex. I had it for ten years and really enjoyed it. The Proven Tiger I have now is 4WD, on an F350, with super high ground clearance, and on a F350 footprint, making parking turning and backing very nice (I will be adding a photo to my signature as soon as I figure out how). But, I do miss the room. I love your outside paint and your interior is spectacular. Mine was a bit simpler but basically the same. How the heck do your get that thing in your garage. You must have a custom garage or, let the air out of your tires to get it in there.
Dragonfly
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015
enblethen wrote:
You will need to check the converter board fuses. They must be good to get battery power.

----------
All fuses including the two top 30 amp fuses are good. Once I get the new batteries in I will check output etc on the converter.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2015
For reference, I bought a pair of 6V AGM batteries a few months ago from Sam's Club. I recall they were $180 per battery.

CLICK HERE to get to the Sam's Club webpage. Prices are posted when you specify your local Sam's Club.

I have received comments from other RVers that these are real good batteries, made from a very good AGM supplier for Duracell.....whatever that means.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 30, 2015
You will need to check the converter board fuses. They must be good to get battery power.

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Would a dead house battery disable 12V when on shore power

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