Electrical Question on class C

[cardtarget]

This is a 2002 Coachmen Pathfinder, 29 foot.

I've been reading about batteries and charging and smart vs. dumb chargers/converters and i'm trying to figure out what I have. I can't even FIND a charger/converter though I know that there has to be something somewhere.

First question, in the second picture, what is all that circuitry stuff to the left of the battery (sorry it's upside down)?










If there is no converter near the panel or near the battery, where else should I look?

[anav8or]

Those older Magneteks are single stage, so keep an eye on your house battery if you keep your rig plugged in. You'll want to check the water level often. I had a similar one in our old coach and I would plug it in every other weekend, and leave it unplugged otherwise. Longer term, you would be wise to swap that sucker out with a multi-stage charger. House batteries are expensive!

[Bordercollie]

It's a good idea for any motorhome user to find out where the converter/charger, house batteries, and associated fuses and circuit breakers are located before buying or renting a used rig. Knowing how to test and maintain batteries and battery connections is important so that that your camping trip isn't spoiled. It's also good to know how to start the generator and how to get it's 110vac power into the rig as well as correct roof AC and furnace starting and shutdown procedures.

[JAXFL]

My converter was in the rear storage pass through area right in the middle. Had to crawl inside to get to it.

[cardtarget]

2hams2alaska wrote:
In our 2000 28 foot Coachmen class C, the converter/charger is accessed through the storage cabinet under the sink. There is a panel on the right side of the bottom shelf that can be removed to gain access to the converter. Took me a while to find it but I sure there is one hidden somewhere in your unit as well.

Mike

Bingo. Finally got some time today in the 77 degree weather in North Carolina to get back out there and do some research. Followed the hum as others suggested and found it there on the floor under the sink. Turns out I have a magnetek model 940 converter/charger. Also turns out that that cabinet under the sink probably hasn't been opened in 10+ years and is totally disgusting.

So, at least I know where I stand now... probably will do a trip or two with it and see how long the single battery lasts powering lights/water pump, etc when dry camping overnight.

Thanks all!

[2hams2alaska]

In our 2000 28 foot Coachmen class C, the converter/charger is accessed through the storage cabinet under the sink. There is a panel on the right side of the bottom shelf that can be removed to gain access to the converter. Took me a while to find it but I sure there is one hidden somewhere in your unit as well.

Mike

[DrewE]

On my '98 Coachmen, the electrical panel looks to be identical. The converter is a separate deck-mount unit, in my case in a sort of compartment underneath the pantry shelves next to the fridge. There's a square of paneling with screws in the corners that hides it from view (as well as a cabinet door that also opens for a bit of a cabinet above the converter compartment).

Assuming the original converter is similar to the one I have (i.e. a traditional ferroresonant or similar design with a big honking transformer, rather than a newer switching power supply design), you quite likely could hear it humming away when you're plugged into shore power. That should give a good clue as to where it's located.

I believe the circuitry things in your second picture are mostly self-resetting circuit breakers protecting the main power leads from the house battery. There may be some other electrical things there, too; it all does tend to look somewhat generic and tracing the wires is probably the most useful way to figure it out. (Possibly the control unit for the power step is around there? or the house/chassis battery isolation relay?)

I'm rather envious of you having an enclosed compartment for the circuit breakers; Coachmen cheaped out on mine and just stuck them on some of the nearby house framework, and they're more or less exposed to the outside world's grime (and hence rather filthy at the moment). I've been thinking of adding some sort of a box in my copious free time.

[2oldman]

cardtarget wrote:
So that we're all on the same page, there is nothing below the fuse box in this photo. (I don't like quoting picures)

You took that front cover off, discovered no converter, and then put it back on to take that picture?

[dennyida]

On our 2004 jayco the converter is in the back of the motor home in the bedroom at the very bottom of the drivers side. Ours has a door that opens up to the bypass valves to the water heater. The converter sits just forward of the bypass valves. Good luckjavascript:;

[4x4van]

Mocoondo wrote:
It is very likely you do not have a charger. It does not look like your configuration has been tampered with from the factory install. That old "Model 80" load distribution panel does not have an integrated charger. You basically just have voltage hot wired to the battery, charged via the alternator.

I'd get rid of that whole operation and replace with a converter/smart charger.

A 2002 Coachman 29' class C without a charger? Possible, I suppose, but doubtful. Check the DC voltage at the battery (or the large red wire) when you are plugged in vs when you are not plugged in. If the voltage increases when plugged in, then you DO have a charger SOMEWHERE. As jillhop suggests, listen for a soft "hum" when plugged into shore power.

[jillhop]

I have a 1998 Coachmen, and my "dumb" converter is under one of the dinette seats, no where near either the coach battery or the circuit breakers. It makes a soft humming noise when plugged in to shore power--that might help you to locate it.

[enblethen]

Yes, follow the large red wire. In the first photo it goes to the right.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Have a look at this website search, and look at the images there as well. It should help you to determine what is what and how to upgrade it.

Model 80 info

[cardtarget]

IAMICHABOD wrote:
Can you trace the large RED wire in the upper right corner? On mine that goes directly to my Converter/ Charger.

Hmmm... not easily. It goes down into the floor and it's snowy and icy outside right now. But it's got 12.15V on it, so that's a good lead. Going to wait for a nicer day to play a little more and I'll bump this thread if needbe. Thanks all.

[Mocoondo]

It is very likely you do not have a charger. It does not look like your configuration has been tampered with from the factory install. That old "Model 80" load distribution panel does not have an integrated charger. You basically just have voltage hot wired to the battery, charged via the alternator.

I'd get rid of that whole operation and replace with a converter/smart charger.