Hi all. I'm still new to RVing but learning a lot more thanks to the kind people here.I just had the two cabin batteries replaced at Les Schwab today and when we went to test them the inverter didn't have any LED lights on. Apparently the inverter was left on while they replaced the batteries. Does that fry the inverter?Everything seems to still work, but the fridge uses gas instead of AC when in auto mode. Shouldn't it use battery power first now that the batteries are fully charged and new?Also, can my air conditioner run off battery power?Anyway, my understanding is that the inverter/charger is supposed to have a constant LED light indicating battery charge level.When I turn the inverter off, wait a minute, then switch to auto like the manual says to reset, the LED lights come on for a second and then go off.I probably don't have a full understanding of it all so any insight is appreciated.thanks!Justin

I suspect there might be a battery wiring error, especially if all worked well before.

It sounds like this inverter is new to you, and, we don't know what it's supposed to energize in your coach.

are you talking about the CONVERTER, not the inverter?i think you have them mixed up.and NO, you can't run the a/c on battery power.

It's a Tripp-Lite PowerVerter® DC-to-AC Inverter/Charger.So what runs off battery power when dry camping?Oh, the RV is a 2010 Roadtrek SS Ideal.

justinae wrote:Hi all. I'm still new to RVing but learning a lot more thanks to the kind people here.I just had the two cabin batteries replaced at Les Schwab today and when we went to test them the inverter didn't have any LED lights on. Apparently the inverter was left on while they replaced the batteries. Does that fry the inverter?You may have inverter and converter mixed up. These are two separate things. A converter which most RV's have is used to charge the battery and provide 12V DC power to things like the lights, furnace fan and water pump. An inverter which most RV's don't have is used to invert 12v DC back to 120v AC for things like air conditioner and microwave. Things that plug into a receptacle like in your house are 120v AC. Everything seems to still work, but the fridge uses gas instead of AC when in auto mode. Shouldn't it use battery power first now that the batteries are fully charged and new?The fridge will use gas unless you have the RV plugged into a power source via the power cord. When on gas there is usually 12v DC from the battery for the control board. Once you plug the RV in it will automatically switch to AC it it's in the Auto mode.Also, can my air conditioner run off battery power?Not unless you have an inverter. Even then with one battery your not going to get an hours worth of air before the inverter shuts down due to low voltage, normally at 10.5 volts. A battery is considered to be at 1/2 capacity and needing recharged at 12.0 volts.Anyway, my understanding is that the inverter/charger is supposed to have a constant LED light indicating battery charge level.If your referring to the converter, each one is different. The only easy way is to have a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. A hydrometer is used to check the specific gravity of the acid in each cell for state of charge of that cell for really detailed battery condition. When I turn the inverter off, wait a minute, then switch to auto like the manual says to reset, the LED lights come on for a second and then go off.I probably don't have a full understanding of it all so any insight is appreciated.thanks!Justin

Had batteries replaced, now inverter/charger issue?

11 Replies

justinae
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
Thanks Peg Leg. This was super helpful. The update is that I think it's all fine. When I plugged in later all the lights functioned as they were supposed to. I has mistakenly thought that the lights were always on to indicate battery level but they only do that when it's actually charging.

In terms of what runs off the batteries I understand that more too thanks to all the helpful responses. We'll mostly be dry camping along the way, so I guess the rule is to get the inside chilled as best we can and then keep doors closed. I do have a genny but don't plan to use it that much depending on where we camp.

thanks again!

Peg Leg wrote:
justinae wrote:
Hi all. I'm still new to RVing but learning a lot more thanks to the kind people here.

I just had the two cabin batteries replaced at Les Schwab today and when we went to test them the inverter didn't have any LED lights on. Apparently the inverter was left on while they replaced the batteries. Does that fry the inverter?

You may have inverter and converter mixed up. These are two separate things. A converter which most RV's have is used to charge the battery and provide 12V DC power to things like the lights, furnace fan and water pump. An inverter which most RV's don't have is used to invert 12v DC back to 120v AC for things like air conditioner and microwave. Things that plug into a receptacle like in your house are 120v AC.

Everything seems to still work, but the fridge uses gas instead of AC when in auto mode. Shouldn't it use battery power first now that the batteries are fully charged and new?

The fridge will use gas unless you have the RV plugged into a power source via the power cord. When on gas there is usually 12v DC from the battery for the control board. Once you plug the RV in it will automatically switch to AC it it's in the Auto mode.

Also, can my air conditioner run off battery power?

Not unless you have an inverter. Even then with one battery your not going to get an hours worth of air before the inverter shuts down due to low voltage, normally at 10.5 volts. A battery is considered to be at 1/2 capacity and needing recharged at 12.0 volts.

Anyway, my understanding is that the inverter/charger is supposed to have a constant LED light indicating battery charge level.

If your referring to the converter, each one is different. The only easy way is to have a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. A hydrometer is used to check the specific gravity of the acid in each cell for state of charge of that cell for really detailed battery condition.

When I turn the inverter off, wait a minute, then switch to auto like the manual says to reset, the LED lights come on for a second and then go off.

I probably don't have a full understanding of it all so any insight is appreciated.

thanks!
Justin
MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 20, 2014
The fridge needs D.C.all the time for the controls
It should naturally run on l.p. gas,
If set on auto, it will default to 120vac electric, If shower power is connected, or generator power is on
Very few fridges use D.C.power to keep cold, most are only Two Way power, Not three way power
Check the inverter, not the control panel
Goto the inverter, look for the led lights, no lights no power, either cable is not connected, or fuse is bad/blown
Tripplites are well built,
I have forgotten to turn mine off when working on my batteries, no damage was ever done, just cable sparks, at the battery
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2014
justinae wrote:
So what runs off battery power when dry camping?
Again, we don't know. It would behoove you to go see what actually does work.
westend
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014
Rather than the inverter being at fault, it may be that your battery voltage is too low. Not all new batteries have a full charge.
Do you have a meter?

12 Volt Side of Life
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 20, 2014
Hi,

What runs depends on how the inverter is wired to the power distribution center. It might be as little as the entertainment center, or it might be all the outlets with the exception of the fridge.
camperpaul
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
bikendan wrote:
are you talking about the CONVERTER, not the inverter?
i think you have them mixed up.

Justin has an inverter/charger which combines the functions of an inverter and a converter.
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
justinae wrote:
Hi all. I'm still new to RVing but learning a lot more thanks to the kind people here.

I just had the two cabin batteries replaced at Les Schwab today and when we went to test them the inverter didn't have any LED lights on. Apparently the inverter was left on while they replaced the batteries. Does that fry the inverter?

You may have inverter and converter mixed up. These are two separate things. A converter which most RV's have is used to charge the battery and provide 12V DC power to things like the lights, furnace fan and water pump. An inverter which most RV's don't have is used to invert 12v DC back to 120v AC for things like air conditioner and microwave. Things that plug into a receptacle like in your house are 120v AC.

Everything seems to still work, but the fridge uses gas instead of AC when in auto mode. Shouldn't it use battery power first now that the batteries are fully charged and new?

The fridge will use gas unless you have the RV plugged into a power source via the power cord. When on gas there is usually 12v DC from the battery for the control board. Once you plug the RV in it will automatically switch to AC it it's in the Auto mode.

Also, can my air conditioner run off battery power?

Not unless you have an inverter. Even then with one battery your not going to get an hours worth of air before the inverter shuts down due to low voltage, normally at 10.5 volts. A battery is considered to be at 1/2 capacity and needing recharged at 12.0 volts.

Anyway, my understanding is that the inverter/charger is supposed to have a constant LED light indicating battery charge level.

If your referring to the converter, each one is different. The only easy way is to have a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. A hydrometer is used to check the specific gravity of the acid in each cell for state of charge of that cell for really detailed battery condition.

When I turn the inverter off, wait a minute, then switch to auto like the manual says to reset, the LED lights come on for a second and then go off.

I probably don't have a full understanding of it all so any insight is appreciated.

thanks!
Justin
justinae
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
It's a Tripp-Lite PowerVerter® DC-to-AC Inverter/Charger.

So what runs off battery power when dry camping?

Oh, the RV is a 2010 Roadtrek SS Ideal.
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
are you talking about the CONVERTER, not the inverter?
i think you have them mixed up.

and NO, you can't run the a/c on battery power.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2014
It sounds like this inverter is new to you, and, we don't know what it's supposed to energize in your coach.