Forum Discussion

justin_powell's avatar
justin_powell
Explorer
Mar 07, 2015

Battery Problems

I have an issue on my 5th wheel with the batteries. I am green on this and at the risk of looking totally stupid I am asking what is wrong here. They are both 6 volt golf cart batteries which I believe are wired incorrectly. There is an onboard generator also on the RV. I have read to the converter and there is only 6 volts to it. The Generator does start wired as is. Not sure of the connections on the side and the toggle switch there also. I assume the toggle switch is something to do with the shore power. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/jkpowell/Slide1_zpszxaqbdfd.jpg
  • justin_powell's avatar
    justin_powell
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2015
    Thanks guys. I looked it over and using your advice and diagrams, I have corrected the problem. One wire was wrong. I should be good to go for the year. Appreciate the help fellas.
  • SlowBro's avatar
    SlowBro
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2015
    justin.powell wrote:
    I have an issue on my 5th wheel with the batteries. I am green on this and at the risk of looking totally stupid I am asking what is wrong here.


    The only stupid question is the one not asked.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2015
    This is how two each 6VDC Batteries are connected in series as compared to how two each 12VDC batteries are connected in parallel..

    The end result is 12VDC feeding your trailer...



    Roy Ken
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2015
    Looking at the picture, I see several wires connected to the negative wire on battery #2.

    There should only be ONE wire connected to the negative battery #2, the wire from +6 of battery #1. All other wires should be connected to +12 wire of battery #2. (except the ground wire, that is connected to battery #1 - wire - ground.)

    Fred.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2015
    justin.powell wrote:
    I have an issue on my 5th wheel with the batteries. I am green on this and at the risk of looking totally stupid I am asking what is wrong here. They are both 6 volt golf cart batteries which I believe are wired incorrectly. There is an onboard generator also on the RV. I have read to the converter and there is only 6 volts to it. The Generator does start wired as is. Not sure of the connections on the side and the toggle switch there also. I assume the toggle switch is something to do with the shore power. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

    http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/jkpowell/Slide1_zpszxaqbdfd.jpg





    The golf cart batteries should be wired in series. So battery #1 ground is to the RV frame, while battery #2 - is connected to battery #1 +6 volts, and battery #2 + is now +12 volts above the RV frame ground wire.

    Then the RV converter (45 amps at 12 volts) will charge the pair of batteries much faster than a normal car battery charger.

    Good luck,

    Fred.

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