Shore power not charging battery

[hawkpat]

Hooked up to 5o amps and normally battery gauge will show full charge in this state. Today came back to camper and only 1 light was lit. All D.C. lights are very dim. What can be the problem?

[nremtp143]

Check the wires inside the plug at the pole and the camper. Especially the camper one(the female end of your power cord) as the way they hang, they pull on the wires inside the plug and can pull them loose. May need to put wires back into the plug and tighten them. Happened on both of my Sandpipers.

[RustyJC]

Ivylog wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
Check the battery disconnect switch.

At first I though we had a winner, BUT I do not think his 12V lights would be dim... they would not work.

Depends if the lights are wired on the battery or converter side of the switch. Mine failed with a high resistance open that allowed the lights to illuminate dimly but wouldn't charge the battery (13.7vdc converter output but 12.2vdc at the battery - the hydraulic jacks would barely retract.)

Rusty

[Ivylog]

RustyJC wrote:
Check the battery disconnect switch.

At first I though we had a winner, BUT I do not think his 12V lights would be dim... they would not work.

[RustyJC]

Check the battery disconnect switch.

Rusty

[Sam_Spade]

You need a meter.
The FIRST thing you need to check is the input from the pole to be sure that BOTH hot leads really are hot and that there is a good ground/neutral.
No input will equal no output.

The fuses and connections mentioned are next and a meter is very handy for checking those things too.

[allen8106]

93STPD wrote:
Just had the same exact issue. Turned out my convertor blew a fuse. I actually replaced the single 12 volt battery with two 6 volts.
If the convertor fan isn't running then it's probably the convertor

Same thing happened to me. My PD9260 has 3 fuses on it, two were blown.

[Ivylog]

Can you hear the converter humming? If not then solve the NO 120V problem... could be as simple as a tripped circuit breaker or as Michelle.S posted, it's come unplugged. If it's humming then check fuses and connections. If you are getting 120V in and no 13V out, the converter is bad.

[Fxfymn]

How old is the RV? On older rigs the power panel did not use a battery "maintainer" type of charger that all of the modern panels employ. If you cannot hear the cooling fan cycling, and the rig is older you may need to upgrade the panel.

[Old-Biscuit]

FLY 4 FUN wrote:
your converter should have one or two 30-40A catastrophic fuses somewhere on a front panel. That would be where I would start my troubleshooting.

Those would be the 'Reverse Polarity' fuses.
Strictly there to prevent damage to converter electronics IF battery is hooked up backwards.
If battery cables have not been removed.....those fuses should not blow.
Only when cables get reversed.

[Michelle_S]

When we had a similar issue, it turned out to be the Converter AC Plug had worked it's way loose in the outlet. Reseated and used cable ties to keep the plug in and no further problems.
Also on some units if the Battery Cutoff switch is activated it will prevent charging the battery.

[FLY_4_FUN]

your converter should have one or two 30-40A catastrophic fuses somewhere on a front panel. That would be where I would start my troubleshooting.

[93STPD]

Just had the same exact issue. Turned out my convertor blew a fuse. I actually replaced the single 12 volt battery with two 6 volts.
If the convertor fan isn't running then it's probably the convertor

[Old-Biscuit]

Hooked up to 50A shore power......
Then Converter should be supplying the DC system and recharging battery

Check the 120V AC Circuit Breaker that feds the converter. If tripped no AC to converter -- No DC from converter ___ Battery low cause no recharging being done

Or if converter has power cord.......is it plugged into a 'working' outlet?

Again circuit breaker for outlet tripped or GFCI feeder outlet tripped????

Check converter DC output.......S/B 13.2V minimum for a functioning converter

[sch911]

lawnspecialties wrote:
Try these:

1. Clean the battery cables really well and reinstall. Any help?

2. If you have a car battery charger, plug it in and hook it up to the battery of the camper. Any help?

If its number 1, problem solved.
If its number 2, have the battery tested but it could be your inverter has gone bad.

My guess is time to replace inverter. If you're out camping, a battery charger left on the camper battery will work just fine. Just replace the inverter when you get home.

Good advice but you really meant to say Converter not Inverter. Which is what most Fifth Wheels have.