Hello RV'ers!I'm a few weeks in to full-timing, in my '89 Mallard RV. I got the Onan generator working, finally, and realized that to use it I need to plug my 30-amp hookup into a jack in the power hookup compartment.When I run the generator, afterward the Test Panel is completely dead, the Propane powered fridge shuts off, and in general everything behaves like there is absolutely no power in the house battery. So I run the engine for a bit, and within a few minutes usually, everything comes back on.I'm wondering how I can avoid this. It can't be healthy for the electrical system. When I try to shutoff the 30-amp breaker before I turn off the generator, it doesn't seem to help. I don't know if it is actually helping to unplug the 30-amp hookup from the generator power outlet, but I do.I'd like to keep the 30-amp hookup plugged into the generator outlet most of the time, so I can use the generator periodically without getting out and attaching the coach to the generator in the power compartment.Any help would be much appreciated!

You should not have to unplug from the generator unless you find utility power.Do you have a meter to check the battery voltage on the terminals?Compare with generator running and stopped.May as well post the converter or inverter/charger brand that is supposed to be doing the charging.

Hi,What make and model of converter do you have?

It sounds like the charger is not working and start with checking the battery voltage. Also be advised that in general with say 2 hours of gen run time the batteries will only be charged to 80-85% SOC. It takes many hours to fully charge batteries. So every day you're starting with partially discharged batteries. Full timers w/o power often start to consider solar.

You need to make sure you have a smart mode converter/charger setup. Your older RV may not have one unless it has been updated.Using smart mode charging will re-charge your batteries to their 90% charge state in a quick three hour generator run time...If your converter/charger only puts out 13.6VDC when being run by the generator it will take a good 12 hours to get your batteries up to their 90% charge state,A smart mode converter/charger will hit your batteries with 14.4VDC for two hours and then drop back to 13.6VDC for another hour. Roy Ken

The generator supplies AC which powers the converter which charges your coach battery. If you have the ability to read voltage - measure the battery voltage when either the generator is running or connected to shore power - should read about 13.6 volts ... if you don't have the equipment look at the interior lights, they should brighten when hooked to shore power.If you suspect a bad converter - look for an auto reset circuit breaker (Google it as it looks strange) near the battery - if that goes south then your converter can't charge the battery. It's also possible that the fuses on the converter itself have blown.

Coach battery seems drained after using generator.

20 Replies

Bobbo
Explorer III
Feb 20, 2015
smkettner is right.

When I upgraded mine, I went from a Magnatek 7345 (45amp) to the PD4655 (55amp), but I knew I was going to upgrade my wiring from 8g to 4g anyway, to reduce voltage drop.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 20, 2015
kemeisland wrote:
Extremely interesting smkettner, thank you!

Do you happen to have a link to the exact part(s) I would buy and install?
Click on the picture above and choose the 45 amp. If you have more than two batteries you may want more amps and require a wire upgrade.

Call and talk to Randy but I think the kit is complete and direct swap specifically designed for replacing the 6345.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Feb 20, 2015
CA Traveler wrote:
bestconverter.com is used by many.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is the ticket. Call Randy at www.bestconverter.com. He did right by me. I got the PD4655, pictured above by smkettner. It was one of 4 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED upgrades I did.
1. accumulator tank
2. Trik-L-Start to keep chassis battery charged
3. Progressive Dynamics 3 stage charger
4. Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Feb 20, 2015
bestconverter.com is used by many.
ksg5000
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2015
kemeisland wrote:
I'm wondering how the battery could be used at all when the generator is running. The power outlets in the coach only work with the generator on or hookups attached, so I might be green to think this, but I believed the battery was impossible to drain with 110v power usage.

.
Your lights etc all run on DC (your battery) when connected to shore power they are still DC powered and get their power via your converter (device which converts AC power to DC). If your converter is working property and your connected to shore power (or generator is running) you should not be draining your battery. If your converter isn't working properly your lights etc will drain your battery even when connected to shore power or running the generator.
kemeisland
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
Ok, so after what smkettner said and the diagram posted, I searched further and found that there is a lot of trouble with the MagnaTek 6345. I am very grateful for a shove in the right direction on this. So now, I seem to think that you're saying that my converter/charger is insufficient and known to be problematic, and I need to upgrade. So what exactly do I need to upgrade for me to get the most out of my converter/charger with the generator running, so I can run it and charge my battery with it, as well as use my electrical devices without the coach seeming depleted of energy afterward?
kemeisland
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
Extremely interesting smkettner, thank you!

Do you happen to have a link to the exact part(s) I would buy and install?
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 20, 2015
Parallax schematic just for fun

Note the relay... and though the converter is rated 45 amps to run the RV it just trickle charges the battery at 13.8 volts and about 6 amps.

Your alternator provides 14.5 volts and 50+ amps in comparison. New converter will do similar.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 20, 2015
There is actually a relay in the 6345 that is probably shot. And the 6345 is about worthless as a converter or battery charger. Time for an upgrade. It will make an amazing difference.
kemeisland
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
And in answer to the main question coming up: when the rig is running, the house battery charges, as well as when the generator is running, and when the coach is hooked up to 30-am electrical.

The possibility of the fuel pump draining the battery is the only scenario that seems like it draws electricity from the house battery to me, but I agree that wouldn't actually drain the battery fully... I would think it charges faster than it is depleted too.