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myface's avatar
myface
Explorer
Jan 12, 2020

Battery charger

2001 Brave SE 29A. I am not getting full voltage from my charger. On battery side, I get 12.4 but at the control center - 2 connectors - I get 14.6. Am I missing voltage going to my battery?. It is charging but at very slow rate.
  • garym114 wrote:
    The charger is working as it should. The problem is the path to the batteries.
    +1
    Use your voltmeter to trace the path to the battery. You will see a big jump at some point. Repair, replace, tighten, clean, or adjust the point of issue when found.
  • I solver this problem by buying a charger and hook up to battery's. The original charger is at opposite side that battery`s. The voltage from charger goes to control panel, the trough black 8gauge wire to the front of vehicle to solenoid, trough solenoid to battery cable from front to the middle of vehicle. Why they did not run a cable straight from charger/control panel to battery -only 6 feet instead of 30. Sometimes, I question the sanity of Winnebago engineering.
  • I suggest you disconnect your MH from shore power. Then, clean and tighten all connections from converter to batteries. Pay special attention to battery terminals. There is most likely a circuit breaker just before the charge wire gets to the batteries. Check this circuit breaker closely for no resistance, or replace it. Also make sure minus (ground) battery cables to frame connections are clean. If there is corrosion at the end of the battery cables inside the connection terminals, it will cause high resistance and should be replaced with new cables.

    If you have a battery that is bad, you could get a low reading at the battery.

    If you still have the original Magnetek converter your MH came with, it should be replaced with a modern multi-stage charger like the Progressive Dynamic models. The Magnetek converters are prone to overcharging the batteries and having bad filter capacitors in them. Make sure your batteries are always topped off with distilled water. The Magnetek converters are notorious for boiling out the water and making dry batteries that then kils them.

    Good luck-- Mick
  • The charger is working as it should. The problem is the path to the batteries.
  • I suggest reading about the basics of RV battery charging.

    https://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/09/26/rv-101-rv-battery-charging-basics/
  • Charging device in an RV is called a "converter". What make and model is yours?

    12.4 would never fully charge a battery.

    There is often a circuit breaker between the control center and the battery bank. It may have failed (they are often automatic) or it may need to be reset.
  • Is the battery disconnect in the ON position?
    Sounds like reading battery voltage and not charge voltage.
    Use a voltage meter to find where the charger (guessing from converter) is dropping out.