Magnum normal float amp draw

[magicrider]

Noticed the Magnum charger in my class A shows 4 amps plugged into to 50 amp shore power and then will go up to 16 amps and stay there. That seems excessive. My son's parked next to mine shows 4amp draw...? Is the likely problem a battery (open,shorted) or a controller issue? Thanks

[gatorcq]

3 stages of charging
Bulk A/C max upto 13amps - depending on your model DC upto 90 Amps
Absorption A/C upto 8 amps - depending on your model DC upto 60 Amps and decreasing
Float A/C around 1 to 3 amps - depending on your model DC upto 10 amps

It all depends on which stage. If you read your manual it would explain this.

[dougrainer]

Are you reading the MAGNUM remote panel? Or are you reading the Intellitec or PCS 120 EMS system remote. I will bet you are reading the EMS (energy Management system) remote and if so, that jump would indicate the Water Heater 120 element engaging (4 amps plus the 11 to 12 amps the Element pulls) ---16 amps. Once the 120 element heats the water, the element turns off and your voltage drops to that 4 amps. If this is NOT the case, I would look at loose cables on the coach batteries. Doug

[SCVJeff]

magicrider wrote:
Noticed the Magnum charger in my class A shows 4 amps plugged into to 50 amp shore power and then will go up to 16 amps and stay there. That seems excessive. My son's parked next to mine shows 4amp draw...? Is the likely problem a battery (open,shorted) or a controller issue? Thanks

Which Magnum?
What are you measuring: AC or DC Draw ?
If DC, are you using the BMK module?

[time2roll]

Could it be equalizing? What is the battery voltage during the 16 amps?
Or is this just pass through amps such as running your water heater while your Son is just running the fridge?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Number One
Read the factory manual. What is the QUIESCENT amp draw?

Number Two
It can't help itself it tries to replace watts being drawn off your batteries by dozens of 12 volt essential R.V. thingees.

Number Three
With the inverter disconnected except for AC is it's true quiescent state of AC power draw. Disconnected means bare + and - battery connection studs.

Number Four
Books published for cruising sailboat enthusiasts contain practical easy to understand explanations for common questions. Available at Amazon.com one I particularly enjoyed was titled The 12 Volt Doctor.

Trying to miracle comprehend the electrical conplexities of a modern RV without benefit of multiple amp gauges is an exercise of futility.

"My car gets 15 mpg sometimes while my neighbor gets 20 sometimes" would be a similar paradox. Proper gauges eliminate guesswork with just one glance.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I have the 3012 Hybrid Magnum. If the bank is charged, it draws about 27 watts (2 amps) on 556 amp-hours of AGM 12 volt battery bank. I do not have the BMK--those numbers were gathered from a Kill-a-Watt tied into the shore power cord.

If you are concerned, magicrider, put a KAW in the circuit (but don't exceed 1800 watts).

[GordonThree]

Mine wobbles between 0 an 10a while its "idle" and I know I don't have 10a of dc loads on.

Just the nature of the beast I guess?

[Mandalay_Parr]

Depends how much 12 volt stuff you are using.

[CA_Traveler]

What is the voltage, is it going through all stages of charging as required by the batteries?

Not enough information to know if you have a problem. My Magnum will raise the voltage and amps for bulk charging then absorb then float. When in float the voltage remains at float but the amps will change as the house loads are turned on/off, perhaps you are seeing this.

You could turn off the charger, use some battery power and see how that compares to past uses, charger back on and check the amps and voltage for charging.

Problem batteries can give strange results. Consider having them load tested at a good battery shop or perhaps even a auto store.

[2oldman]

How many batteries? How old?