Forum Discussion

Pops_R's avatar
Pops_R
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014

Shore Power

When connected to shore power it should run everything on the MH correct? In my case (and we are in extreme cold weather in Colorado Springs at present) the furnace will only work when connected to the house dual 6 volt batteries that came with the new MH. If I use the disconnect switch inside the MH to just use the shore power then the furnace will not work or any interior lights yet the TV, Microwave, and electrical plus do have power.

The house batteries just continually loose power and will only last for about 2-3 hours and I need to start the engine to bring them back up and maintain the heat using the furnace.

If left alone the dual 6 volt house batteries just drain down till the Xantrex PRO Inverter gives the low voltage error code, so to avoid that requires the MH engine to be turned on every hour or two for a few minutes to bring the batteries back up to keep the MH warm and its underbelly heated for the holding tanks.

During the day time I can shut off the furnace and only turn it on as needed and use the electric fireplace heater to maintain a comfort zone inside the MH

I have to assume those original house batteries are just weak damaged and unable to hold the charge but also have to wonder about the 1800 Watt inverter that is said to be able to run everything in the MH and keep the house batteries charged up.

Any insight from anyone out there on this situation?

2015 Thor Challenger
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2014
    Your coach **probably** has a "Converter/Charger" for your 12VDC needs. That's Interior Lighting, Refrigerator, Water Heater and Furnace. The type of C/C I'm familiar with:

    1. Powers the above and more with 12VDC House Battery power when there is NO 120VAC available.

    2. When 120VAC IS available, the C/C takes on the above, relieving the House Battery of those loads. Therefore, Furnace should run and be able to run indefinitely, not limited by state of House Battery Charge.

    3. When 120VAC IS available, the C/C ALSO recharges your House Battery.

    Sounds to me like your C/C is not working. Either not connected, breaker or other fuses/switches off, or defective.

    New Coach? Do you have the documentation that came with it? Should be info on the C/C. Post its Make/Model here and somebody can provide more detailed help.

    New Member? Welcome Aboard and stay with us for a Happy 2015 and Beyond!
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    I cant answer all of your questions but I would say that the inverter is not responsible for charging any batteries. It draws from the battery to convert to 120 v ac. Did you mean CONverter? Is your converter circuit breaker on?

    You may want to be careful using the fireplace only as its not forcing warm air into the holding tank area.

    I was in the Denver area during the November cold spell. I was burning 30 pounds of propane a day and using a 1500 watt electric heater. I also used fiberboard to build a surround of my holding tank area and had another 1500 watt electric heater under there.

    Never again.

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