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SoonDockin's avatar
SoonDockin
Explorer II
May 29, 2019

Battery Charging Issue

Was about to load up the camper but batteries were down to 3.5 volts. Ac was on and it’s been stored since we got home in my shop. I had power as recently as last week but don’t know how long the batteries have been without a charge.
I am guessing the charge controller has failed. I have a charger on the batteries now so I can get it on my truck. Then need to troubleshoot.

Got any suggestions for the best procedure to track it down?

18 Replies

  • The battery charger on my Open Range 5th wheel went bad and I replaced it with a Boondocker converter Very satisfied with both product and seller. that vehicle stays plugged in 7x24 all its life.
    But signature makes me think you have a 2018?

    Reset the GFI outlet. on my AF its on an outlet below the sink (press test, then reset).
    Check the AC breaker for charger in the breaker box. move it all the way to off side, than reset it to on side.
    plug something else into the outlet the charger is plugged into, does the outlet have AC?
    Check the 2 fuses on the back side of the charger, then can blow if wires are crossed.
    on my 990 the charger is below that folding top on the step up to the bed, on LS. its a big silver box that probably says progressive dynamics on it. It has 2 heavy 12V wires going to it (white and black, where black is positive). it also will have an AC cord coming out that has a 15a plug on end that plugs into an outlet down inside step.
  • The converter supplies the running and charging 12 volt power to the camper and battery.
    Need to verify 120VAC input to the converter and about 13.6VDC output.
    Converter can usually be found in or near the 120/12 volt distribution panel where all the breakers and fuses are.

    3.5v on the battery is bad news. Good chance the plates warp and short out. Watch for excessive bubbling as they get close to 13+ volts. May take some extra time to charge and verify condition. Like 24 hours.

    The 12 Volt Side of Life
  • Kayteg1 wrote:
    I play with lot of batteries for years.
    Motorhome, boat, tractor, PWC.
    Over the years learned the hard way, that when you leave electrical connected, something will go wrong sooner or later.
    Bad connection here, bad connection there, charging is not engaging and discharging still works.
    The best for me is pull battery clamps for 6 months storage, or pull the battery out and hook up one of those $5 maintainers on it.


    Well there are some good maintainers and some bad...
    The bad ones actually will put a drain on the battery...Sad but true.

    One is the inexpensive Harbor Freight maintainer. Just disconnect the shore power from the maintainer and notice the led is still lit..

    Jim
  • I just replaced & upgraded my "converter" to a 3 stage version. After a relatively easy install it went through all 3 stages, very happy!

    I changed it out I found my battery down to 6v after replacing it last year. I also had issues with low voltage in the TT, noticed dim lights. And a led flickering.
  • I play with lot of batteries for years.
    Motorhome, boat, tractor, PWC.
    Over the years learned the hard way, that when you leave electrical connected, something will go wrong sooner or later.
    Bad connection here, bad connection there, charging is not engaging and discharging still works.
    The best for me is pull battery clamps for 6 months storage, or pull the battery out and hook up one of those $5 maintainers on it.
  • "AC was on" Do you mean you were plugged into shore power?

    If you suspect the the stock charger converter isn't charging you can test this by plugging in the camper and testing voltage at the output terminals of the charger converter. You can also test for 120v where the charger plugs in. If you have the 120v but not the ~13v at the output you have solved the issue. You need a new converter charger.

    The batteries at 3.5v is no bueno. I would have it load tested to see if you are shopping for new batteries.
  • I was typing on my phone, let me try now at a PC. I was about to load my TC on my truck. Its been in my shop for several months plugged into a 50 amp circuit (with 30a adapter). Yesterday I noticed a beep every few minutes, but assumed it was the smoke detector. Batteries were low (3.5v) when I checked. I just need to troubleshoot the battery charge circuit.
  • You are putting camper batteries on the truck?
    You will always have some current leakage on vehicle wiring even with nothing turned on.
    Charge the batteries, hook up ammeter and check how many ampere it takes, whatever it is.