Batteries, DC Power, & Generator Issues
My motorhome has been in use in Naples, FL from April to now. It's connected all the time to a 50 AMP service. Recently, the interior lights go dim after a while. I noticed that my battery level on a ...
Forum Discussion
You have a couple of issues and it would be easy to diagnose where the problems lie it you have a volt-ohm meter. It sounds like your converter is not providing the proper output to your battery and/or DC distribution center.
Could be that it is not receiving shorepower thus it would not be able to output proper DC voltage or fuses may have blown causing same scenario, both can be readily verified with meter. If converter is receiving 120Vac converter output should read 13.2 Vdc or higher and can be measured at converter or battery.
Batteries having dried out can be caused by dumb converter with only a single mode of charging and/or lack of maintenance. Suffice to say, they will not return to full capacity, but you may get limited use out of them if you just plan to stay plugged into shorepower. Might be best to get new batteries if converter needs replacing or if upgrading to a multi-phase charger.
The Onan generator is unrelated to your 12 volt issues and is more than likely having fuel delivery issues from a gummed up carb and stale gas along with under-usage and lack of proper exercise and/or maintenance. Using Stabil or other fuel stabilizer and monthly exercise will help alleviate these issues. Sometimes the carb can be cleaned but Onan suggests replacement.
There are plug in voltage monitors (used inside your rig) that can help keep an eye on what's going on with the AC and DC voltages within your rig. I always have them plugged in while RVing to monitor AC voltage drop when using our Air Conditioner and to monitor the converter's DC output and charging phase.
Could be that it is not receiving shorepower thus it would not be able to output proper DC voltage or fuses may have blown causing same scenario, both can be readily verified with meter. If converter is receiving 120Vac converter output should read 13.2 Vdc or higher and can be measured at converter or battery.
Batteries having dried out can be caused by dumb converter with only a single mode of charging and/or lack of maintenance. Suffice to say, they will not return to full capacity, but you may get limited use out of them if you just plan to stay plugged into shorepower. Might be best to get new batteries if converter needs replacing or if upgrading to a multi-phase charger.
The Onan generator is unrelated to your 12 volt issues and is more than likely having fuel delivery issues from a gummed up carb and stale gas along with under-usage and lack of proper exercise and/or maintenance. Using Stabil or other fuel stabilizer and monthly exercise will help alleviate these issues. Sometimes the carb can be cleaned but Onan suggests replacement.
There are plug in voltage monitors (used inside your rig) that can help keep an eye on what's going on with the AC and DC voltages within your rig. I always have them plugged in while RVing to monitor AC voltage drop when using our Air Conditioner and to monitor the converter's DC output and charging phase.
