Is my battery charging or is system dead?

[Helomech]

I'm going to copy my introduction posts here to get the questions and pictures in the correct area:

Greetings!

I've just obtained my first rv that will actually be road worthy.

Other things were just out near the river to stay in.

I just traded an enduro motorcycle for this 2000 Aljo 245LT 5th wheel and hitch.

It seems to have a few bumps and bruises but it's pretty nice inside. I've tested everything out and everything is in working order.

Only thing I can't figure out is why the battery doesn't seem to charge when I'm plugged into shore power.

While it's entry-level, it seems it will do everything I need it to do at this point.

I replaced the water pump and the shroud on the roof AC unit. I had to replace ALL BUT ONE of the little window cranks as they were all missing for some reason. Replaced the toilet paper hanger which was missing the center and left pieces. Propane tank was apparently stolen so I put in a new 7 gallon. Installed the hitch, added a break controller and looking forward to hitting El Mirage next weekend for the Land Speed Races.

A few pictures since we all know that Threads Are Useless Without Pics!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-04-28_08-16-15_621.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-04-28_08-16-36_306.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-04-28_08-53-28_338.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-04-28_08-53-54_647.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-04-28_08-54-11_924.jpg

I do only have the single 12vt battery. Looks like there may be space to add a second one in the box. Still unsure why it's not charging if I'm on shore power. Hopefully it will charge while towing. I found the Trailer/Charge fuse was blown on my truck. This weekend I will hook up the truck and see if it blows again. Any tips on where to start tracking it down if it blows again? And is this trailer SUPPOSED to charge the battery if plugged into the house?

Right now, I have the battery in the garage, covers off, on a 2amp charge.

Looks like this will be my new favorite forum. I'll post pics from the lakebed if I can get a cell signal out there.

oooh... Only thing I haven't checked yet... How jacked up the awning is. I bought a roll of awning repair tape just in case it's just a few spots or in AWESOME shape and don't need it. lol.

Anyway, my name is Robert and I live in the IE... as in newbIE...

I've since removed the battery and put it in the garage on a 2amp charger overnight. Before that, I had already checked with the DVM.

Before, the battery was showing only about 11.65 volts. With the meter on it, I plugged in the shore power line. DVM went to 11.66 right away, but no significant change.

Below are links to the breaker box setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-05-12_19-18-56_141.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-05-12_19-19-13_838.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-05-12_19-19-35_291.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/HeloMech/Aljo%20245LT/2012-05-12_19-18-17_919.jpg

Somehow, in my limited time inside the trailer while it's in the driveway, I managed to leave the pump switch turned on. Pump is on demand so it wasn't running, but the little light was on. Trailer wasn't plugged in. When I pulled the battery, it was down to just over 8 volts. I pulled it from the charger today. Meter showed 12.66 vts... as I left the meter there, it dropped to 12.65, etc. It eventually stabilized, but I thought it odd that it was dropping. It's a single 12vt marine battery that appears to be about 1 year old. Cells are filled, etc.

 

[donn]

First off,. a 2 amp charger will take nearly forever to charge the battery.  Get a real charger and charge it.  Then take it to a battery store and have it load tested.  If it is good, then connect to the trailer, plug it in and check voltage.  If the converter is working you should see approx 13.5-14 VDC.  Anything less then you need to start searching.  Possibly a tripped breaker, or blown fuse, or worst case a dead converter.  If it is truly dead a new three stage one can be had for a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Yes, the onboard converter should be charging the battery when plugged to external (shore) power. If it is not, you have a problem, because the converter also provides the required 12v power to the RV while plugged in. You have a lot of 12v stuff in an RV - lighting, the circuit boards for fridge, water heater and furnace, the thermostat, etc.

Donn gave good advice, so I won't repeat it.

 

[Alfa38User]

.....Meter showed 12.66 vts... as I left the meter there, it dropped to 12.65, etc. It eventually stabilized, but I thought it odd that it was dropping. I

Completely normal. The battery has what is referred to as a 'surface charge' when first pulled off the charger. This charge slowly bleeds off as you observed and the readings stabilize after a short period.

 

[jc2]

Here is a link to one of the better/reasonably priced companies that sell what you possibly need for a replacement.  Pretty straight forward on replacing and usually takes about 30 minutes.
http://www.bestconverter.com/Progressive-Dynamics-Converters_c_81.html

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=progressive+dynamics+converter

 

[John From Detroit]

Ok your converter is a Magnetek 6300 series, this is an Ok power supply for lights and such but is not really the best converter on the market.  Here is why.

It is a single stage converter with poor regulation,  AND the battery charger and converter are seperate circuits within the unit,, The battery charger is a slow charger and can take quite a while to re-charge your batteries, It might be as small as a 5-10 amp and your battery as large as 75-100 amp hours. Your battery is over half discharged so you do the math.  It's gonna take a while.

Second, once the battery is full, the 6300 does not know to stop charging.

An upgrade is indicated.. I like Progressive Dynamics 9200 line but there are many others that are every bit as good.  The last two digits of the model should be based on your battery size.. Take the total amp hours (20 hour rate) and multiply by 0.30.

IE: Two Group 24, 74 amp hour each, 150 amp hour total, that's 9245 (I think you'd need a 9240)  A pair of GC-2's  220 amp  hours, 9260 will do. (you get the nearest match).

These are 3-stage "Smart charger" converters, Way better regulation, and not only do they charge faster, but they know when to STOP.

 

[Helomech]

Thanks for the input.

Donn, thanks for the suggestion of getting a real charger. My charger is fine thanks. It does 2, 10, 50 amps. I chose to put it on low and slow with the caps off.

John from Detroit:
http://www.bestconverter.com/PD-9260C-60-Amp-RV-ConverterCharger_p_171.html

Does this just replace a portion of what's behind the breaker panel? Or will I end up replacing that whole assembly plus the converter, etc.?

 

[byrogie]

http://www.bestconverter.com/4600-series-Upgrade-Kits_c_133.html

I found the 4600 series more convenient to install for my Magnetek conversion, slides right in...and an upgraded 12V board.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Replacement of your converter section with the 4600 recommended above is a good idea - but do a little troubleshooting first.

With the trailer unplugged (so the converter is off) see if battery voltage is on lugs C and D on your fuse panel.  C is +12 volts, D is Common (-).  If you don't see 12 volts, there's a wiring problem between there and the battery.  If you see 12 volts is there, the problem is inside the Power Center.

The most likely problem is in the relay that switches the battery to the charger when the converter is on, and to the lighting circuits when the converter is off.  This relay will be eliminated if you decide to do the upgrade.

 

[Helomech]

Byron/Lou:

THANKS!! I'll check for power at the lugs when I get home tonight.