Forum Discussion

Herd_Fan's avatar
Herd_Fan
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018

Converter/battery

Hello.

Our converter appears to be working properly (Converter output voltage is 13.6), but the battery is not charging properly. I checked all panel fuses, inline fuses, and connections, and everything looked good.

During our last camping trip, when I noticed the issue, I found that the converter wire at the breaker was loose, and I fixed that. Unfortunately, the battery was all but dead after we'd been gone all day (wife left air conditioner on - that didn't help matters), so we had to buy a new battery. I was hoping with the wire reattached and a brand new battery, that I'd be good to go...apparently not. Thoughts on what to do next?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Jun 11, 2018
    The breaker (120v I presume you mean) must be ok or you would not be getting 13.6v DC out.

    Air conditioner has nothing to do with the battery running down.

    Going from the converter's output to the battery with a multimeter on volts, find where you lose the 13.6 and only get battery 12.x.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    Why does the wife leaving the Air conditioner on most of the day matter for a battery issue?
  • Herd_Fan's avatar
    Herd_Fan
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    Forget the part about the air conditioner. I realized that after I posted, but I didn't feel like deleting it.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    As BFL said, check voltages.
    With the battery connected to the converter, and the converter running, you should have 13.6 volts (or more) at the battery as well as each location along the circuit. If it is lower, wherever that drop occurs is the problem.
    A possible time saver for you. Clean the ground on the battery as well as the grounds to the converter and frame. The most frequent cause of 12 volt problems is a dropped ground , and its usually a corrosion issue.
  • Herd_Fan's avatar
    Herd_Fan
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    Boon Docker wrote:
    Where are you taking this voltage reading. At the battery terminals?


    Per the operator manual, I checked the voltage at the fuse panel with a voltmeter (positive probe on the +VCC output terminal lug, and negative probe on the NEG- output terminal lug).
  • Boon_Docker's avatar
    Boon_Docker
    Explorer III
    Jun 12, 2018
    Herd Fan wrote:
    Boon Docker wrote:
    Where are you taking this voltage reading. At the battery terminals?


    Per the operator manual, I checked the voltage at the fuse panel with a voltmeter (positive probe on the +VCC output terminal lug, and negative probe on the NEG- output terminal lug).


    Follow the positive cable from the battery and look for one of these within a couple feet from the battery. It is a circuit breaker and should have a small reset button.
  • Herd_Fan's avatar
    Herd_Fan
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    I found the small "circuit breaker" near the battery, and I reset it.

    Another question....while on a battery charger I can only get my battery up to 12.4, should it then read 12.4 while hooked up to a plugged-in camper, or should it read 13.6 (same as converter output at fuse panel)? Thanks for all the help, guys.

    Edit...nvm, question was addressed in earlier reply...looks like it should read 13.6 at battery.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    Once through bulk phase of charging (high amps) battery should read same as converter output, minus a very small amount for resistance in wire/connections between the two.

    Yes, with high current flow, there will be more voltage difference. Once charged, should be very close to same voltage reading.

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