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Is my alternator going?

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2017 Coleman 30' TT that I keep parked at a camping ground where we have power at. It sit for 4-6 weeks then it gets used for 3-4 days and repeat.

I had to replaced the battery in a few months back, I forgot those things needed water:-/ and put in a gel battery and now I'm hearing the small cooling fan running at variable speed most of the time. I assume it's cooling the alternator. It's back behind the fuses in the bottom of the TV consul Anybody familiar with this. I've owned the TT for a few years and never heard it run like this before.

I have photos on my phone but not sure how to post from the computer.

Any help is greatly appreciated
34 REPLIES 34

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
Gdetrailer wrote:
kilboar wrote:

Thank you,

I am running an outlet next to the TT now so no vehicles will be running it over.

By "live wire on the ground" I meant if a hurricane flipped the trailer over and cut the cord off but I suppose if thats the issue the power is already out or it throws the fuse at the breaker box so none issue.


If a hurricane comes along and flips your RV, electrical is the least of your worries. Most likely in that kind of horrific event, the electrical grid most likely will have been damaged enough and failed upstream that no power will be present at your trailers power cord at the time of the flip.

If your plug in box has been setup correctly, the worst that will happen is the breaker on your source will trip in the event the flipped trailer causes a short.

Worrying about nothing.

I would simply leave your rig plugged in 24/7, no need to unplug when you are not there.



Gotcha,

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
kilboar wrote:

Thank you,

I am running an outlet next to the TT now so no vehicles will be running it over.

By "live wire on the ground" I meant if a hurricane flipped the trailer over and cut the cord off but I suppose if thats the issue the power is already out or it throws the fuse at the breaker box so none issue.


If a hurricane comes along and flips your RV, electrical is the least of your worries. Most likely in that kind of horrific event, the electrical grid most likely will have been damaged enough and failed upstream that no power will be present at your trailers power cord at the time of the flip.

If your plug in box has been setup correctly, the worst that will happen is the breaker on your source will trip in the event the flipped trailer causes a short.

Worrying about nothing.

I would simply leave your rig plugged in 24/7, no need to unplug when you are not there.

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
Gdetrailer wrote:
kilboar wrote:
MFL wrote:
A WFCO 8900 should be a 45 amp converter, which is a common size in other brands.

I don't think the 8900 has the ability to go to a float charge of 13.2, and plugged in 24/7 at 13.6, will cause fluid loss over time.

My battery rarely needs water, a couple times over a number of years is all, and converter is plugged in 24/7, for 8 months a year.

I have a 45 amp Progressive Dynamics converter with smart charge. I have never heard the fan run since new, but maybe it is super quiet, or my hearing subpar.:)

Jerry


Very appreciative. I'll give the company a call and run amps by them as well.


My other concern with leaving the TT pulled in 24/7 while I'm 4 hours away is if a storm knocks it out do I want a live wire on the ground?


Generally with good quality converters as has been discussed in this thread, you can leave your rig plugged in 24/7/365 and not hurt the converter or the battery (although sealed flooded lead acid, gels and AGMs might be a bit more problematic since you cannot check and add water as needed). With non sealed Flooded lead acid you may need to check the water levels periodically and add water as needed.

As far as storms, power outages and live wires on the ground goes..

Storms or power outages should not be much of an issue, when power is restored, converter will automatically recharge your battery. Prolonged outage like a week or more could shorten the life of your battery by allowing the battery to discharge and run dead.

Live wire on the ground?

Your shore cord is designed for outdoor use, it will be fine laying on the ground even if it gets soaked. It is not however under ground rated and should not be buried directly or in conduit or pipe.

If concerned about the shore cord laying on the ground while un attended, I would suggest buying some direct burial rated wire, ditch it and run that to your power source and to a wet location box at your RV where you can put a outlet for your RV.


Thank you,

I am running an outlet next to the TT now so no vehicles will be running it over.

By "live wire on the ground" I meant if a hurricane flipped the trailer over and cut the cord off but I suppose if thats the issue the power is already out or it throws the fuse at the breaker box so none issue.

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
kilboar wrote:
MFL wrote:
A WFCO 8900 should be a 45 amp converter, which is a common size in other brands.

I don't think the 8900 has the ability to go to a float charge of 13.2, and plugged in 24/7 at 13.6, will cause fluid loss over time.

My battery rarely needs water, a couple times over a number of years is all, and converter is plugged in 24/7, for 8 months a year.

I have a 45 amp Progressive Dynamics converter with smart charge. I have never heard the fan run since new, but maybe it is super quiet, or my hearing subpar.:)

Jerry


Very appreciative. I'll give the company a call and run amps by them as well.


My other concern with leaving the TT pulled in 24/7 while I'm 4 hours away is if a storm knocks it out do I want a live wire on the ground?


Generally with good quality converters as has been discussed in this thread, you can leave your rig plugged in 24/7/365 and not hurt the converter or the battery (although sealed flooded lead acid, gels and AGMs might be a bit more problematic since you cannot check and add water as needed). With non sealed Flooded lead acid you may need to check the water levels periodically and add water as needed.

As far as storms, power outages and live wires on the ground goes..

Storms or power outages should not be much of an issue, when power is restored, converter will automatically recharge your battery. Prolonged outage like a week or more could shorten the life of your battery by allowing the battery to discharge and run dead.

Live wire on the ground?

Your shore cord is designed for outdoor use, it will be fine laying on the ground even if it gets soaked. It is not however under ground rated and should not be buried directly or in conduit or pipe.

If concerned about the shore cord laying on the ground while un attended, I would suggest buying some direct burial rated wire, ditch it and run that to your power source and to a wet location box at your RV where you can put a outlet for your RV.

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
MFL wrote:
A WFCO 8900 should be a 45 amp converter, which is a common size in other brands.

I don't think the 8900 has the ability to go to a float charge of 13.2, and plugged in 24/7 at 13.6, will cause fluid loss over time.

My battery rarely needs water, a couple times over a number of years is all, and converter is plugged in 24/7, for 8 months a year.

I have a 45 amp Progressive Dynamics converter with smart charge. I have never heard the fan run since new, but maybe it is super quiet, or my hearing subpar.:)

Jerry


Very appreciative. I'll give the company a call and run amps by them as well.


My other concern with leaving the TT pulled in 24/7 while I'm 4 hours away is if a storm knocks it out do I want a live wire on the ground?

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
If it did it right after you installed it then itโ€™s charging the battery. After it sits overnight it should stop or slow down. But as you turn on lights or anything 12V the fan may run.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
A WFCO 8900 should be a 45 amp converter, which is a common size in other brands.

I don't think the 8900 has the ability to go to a float charge of 13.2, and plugged in 24/7 at 13.6, will cause fluid loss over time.

My battery rarely needs water, a couple times over a number of years is all, and converter is plugged in 24/7, for 8 months a year.

I have a 45 amp Progressive Dynamics converter with smart charge. I have never heard the fan run since new, but maybe it is super quiet, or my hearing subpar.:)

Jerry

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
enblethen wrote:
Look at your existing converter. It shows as an 8900 series but there should be a sticker showing the amperage. Get one the same or slightly larger.
However, I would not throw money at the converter until you have battery tested.


Thank you. Iโ€™m a 4hr drive away so can get to it to easy.

Iโ€™m on my 2nd battery and The fan started running towards the end of the last battery and it still running now. And it did cook the last battery.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Look at your existing converter. It shows as an 8900 series but there should be a sticker showing the amperage. Get one the same or slightly larger.
However, I would not throw money at the converter until you have battery tested.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
time2roll wrote:
Five wires and two screws.

https://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm3-mba/

https://www.bestconverter.com/4655L-Wildkat_c_229.html

My choice would be the Powermax. Both are good. WFCO is ugly.


How many amps would I need?

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
time2roll wrote:
Five wires and two screws.

https://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm3-mba/

https://www.bestconverter.com/4655L-Wildkat_c_229.html

My choice would be the Powermax. Both are good. WFCO is ugly.


Fantastic. Thank you much.

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
MFL wrote:
^I agree the PGI is a better choice than the WF, but unless the WF is toasted, it isn't really the issue. The OP just needs to stay plugged in all the time, or disconnect a battery cable for the month+, that he is away from the trailer.

The WF converters will normally cause quicker battery fluid loss, than a smarter converter, such as the Progressive models.

Most late model RV converters will be compatible with the gel type battery.

Jerry


Hmm. Are simple to change out?

kilboar
Explorer
Explorer
BarabooBob wrote:
I believe that the photo show a WFCO converter. Those are well known for failing in many ways. Some of them boil the batteries dry by not regulating the power properly and they also frequently will not go into the bulk charging mode to speed up a very low battery.

I would replace it with a higher quality converter such as Progressive Industries.


Funny you should say that because thatโ€™s what happened in my last battery. I found it boiling and making my interior smell like rotten eggs all night