WFCO Converter/Charger Dead? How to tell?
Our RV is a 2007 that we purchased in 2010 (new from dealer, so it sat for a few years). So, it's had four years of use and we took it out last weekend for the first trip of the season and had some lo...
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It look's like your only way of checking your batteries is the "Idiot meter".
Almost useless!
Get a multi-meter, if you no not already own one. Take the voltage reading at the battery-terminals first while unplugged. A fully charged battery will read 12.6+ volts (50% charged = 12.1 volts, 30% = 11.75 volts, 10% = 11.3 volts).
Now plug into shore-power. Take reading at the battery(s) again. You should see the voltage rise to 14.4 volts (bulk rate charging for your unit) or at least 13.6 volts (absorption rate charging if the battery(s) were better than 75% charge).
If you see only 13.2 volts the converter portion works but not the charger portion. No increase in voltage means the unit has failed, if the breaker for 120v AC power has not tripped, or the fuses are okay (there is either one or two on the back of the converter/charger).
Please note if your battery(s) voltage is less than 11.0 volts they are likely dead. That means they cannot operate the solenoid to either "connect" or "disconnect" from the 12v dc circuit for charging. Also; the charger will not continue to charge a dead battery. It automatically shuts down.
Start the MH engine. The alternator should allow charging of the batteries since it by-passes the disconnect switch. You should see 14.5 volts, or more, showing charging from the alternator. Once the batteries have been charged with the engine idling for 15 minutes or more, a working converter/charger should start charging batteries if the "disconnect" switch will work to connect the batteries to the circuit. The charger should be allowed to charge the batteries 12 to 24 hours. Let the batteries sit while the MH is unplugged for 24 hours. If the battery(s) read less than 12.6 volts they are sulfated and need replacement.
I suspect you batteries are shot from little TLC. Make sure the water level is okay in all the battery cells. By the way, my WFCO 45 amp multi-stage charger is original from fall 2002. If the charger is bad you will find out by checking
Almost useless!
Get a multi-meter, if you no not already own one. Take the voltage reading at the battery-terminals first while unplugged. A fully charged battery will read 12.6+ volts (50% charged = 12.1 volts, 30% = 11.75 volts, 10% = 11.3 volts).
Now plug into shore-power. Take reading at the battery(s) again. You should see the voltage rise to 14.4 volts (bulk rate charging for your unit) or at least 13.6 volts (absorption rate charging if the battery(s) were better than 75% charge).
If you see only 13.2 volts the converter portion works but not the charger portion. No increase in voltage means the unit has failed, if the breaker for 120v AC power has not tripped, or the fuses are okay (there is either one or two on the back of the converter/charger).
Please note if your battery(s) voltage is less than 11.0 volts they are likely dead. That means they cannot operate the solenoid to either "connect" or "disconnect" from the 12v dc circuit for charging. Also; the charger will not continue to charge a dead battery. It automatically shuts down.
Start the MH engine. The alternator should allow charging of the batteries since it by-passes the disconnect switch. You should see 14.5 volts, or more, showing charging from the alternator. Once the batteries have been charged with the engine idling for 15 minutes or more, a working converter/charger should start charging batteries if the "disconnect" switch will work to connect the batteries to the circuit. The charger should be allowed to charge the batteries 12 to 24 hours. Let the batteries sit while the MH is unplugged for 24 hours. If the battery(s) read less than 12.6 volts they are sulfated and need replacement.
I suspect you batteries are shot from little TLC. Make sure the water level is okay in all the battery cells. By the way, my WFCO 45 amp multi-stage charger is original from fall 2002. If the charger is bad you will find out by checking
