Ok, truck has been down 2 weeks had to use turd Ford over the weekend that was not set up with the extra loop charge my Dodge has on it. Trailer stays plugged in while un-used, hooked up went to our shoot and tryed to use the water and NO POWER at all in the batteries.
How can I find out if the converter is working or if the batteries are just bad? Or does this converter not charge the batteries?
The last trailer we had the converter actually would charge the batteries when plugged into shore power. Really never noticed this before, but like I said we added a loop charge from the truck to add more power to the jack.
Posted 2009-12-14 4:17 PM (#114259 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Elite Veteran
Posts: 788 Location: Tenn/Ala.
HTB- Your S/D will have two circuit breakers inline to the batts. One may be up in the nose by the converter and both will have a reset button on the side. The other will be inside the coach, within 24" of the batts as in under the sofa or dinette. Check both of these as likely one has tripped and must be manually reset.
Posted 2009-12-14 4:38 PM (#114261 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Some time ago another SD owner posted a similar problem. There were many responses and ideas of what was wrong. That final answer too, was a popped second hidden breaker of which Richard has spoken.
Posted 2009-12-14 10:24 PM (#114270 - in reply to #114259) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by RTSmith on 2009-12-14 4:17 PM
HTB- Your S/D will have two circuit breakers inline to the batts. One may be up in the nose by the converter and both will have a reset button on the side. The other will be inside the coach, within 24" of the batts as in under the sofa or dinette. Check both of these as likely one has tripped and must be manually reset.
I found them and neither was tripped, yes one is in the nose and the other is located in the step up to the nose. I removed the batteries tonight and put them on a slow charge to make sure they are still good.
Posted 2009-12-14 10:29 PM (#114271 - in reply to #114254) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by HWBar on 2009-12-14 2:56 PM
The converter should be charging the batteries when pluged in. I would check to see if something was unhooked during this latest wiring deal.
The latest wiring deal? If you mean the loop charge, what that is a 4ga wire run to the batteries on the truck with a quick connect mounted on the rear then the same type 4ga wire run to the trailer batteries with a quick connect that hooks to the truck when towing so the truck will charge the trailer while driving since the factory wire is only a 14ga or 16ga for the power wire on the truck and trailer.
Posted 2009-12-15 9:38 AM (#114282 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2009-12-14 2:59 PM
How can I find out if the converter is working or if the batteries are just bad? Or does this converter not charge the batteries? The last trailer we had the converter actually would charge the batteries when plugged into shore power. QUOTE]
Kelly,
With no shore cord plugged in, check the voltage on your batteries with a multi meter. You should have a voltage of ~12.5 volts with your battery switch off. If not, apply external power to your LQ, turn on the battery switch and the voltage to your batteries should read aprox ~13.5V. If you don't have the higher voltage from your converter, it is a bad unit or again, the breakers may be popped.
Another way to check the function of your converter is to apply shore power and turn on a couple of interior lights. Disconnect a battery terminal. If the lights dim or go off, the converter is bad.
The converter will charge your batteries at a slow rate whenever your shore cord is powered, usually a few amps an hour. Most converters are not particularly good at maintaining a battery. If left on constantly, they can over charge your batteries and cause them to fail. Some of the newer high end converters do a better job.
A regular battery charger will do a better job of recharging your batteries if they are low, than running the converter for the better part of a day. Most dealers can do a deep cycle test on your batteries to determine if they are still viable. With the poor maintenance they receive from the converters, their life spans are usually short lived.
Posted 2009-12-15 10:28 AM (#114283 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Thanks Gard, I will check the items you listed tonight. I have the batteries on a 2amp charger right now and they show to be taking a charge.
So, lets see if I have the right, with the shore power plugged in and a light on, I disconnect the batteries and see if the light dims? If so the converter is bad, right?
Posted 2009-12-15 10:33 AM (#114284 - in reply to #114283) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If the lights dim or go out with no battery power available, then yes, there is a problem with the converter.
But as I said, you can also check the charging voltage at the batteries, and you don't have to disconnect anything to find out. The charging voltage should be at least a volt higher than the battery voltage.
Posted 2009-12-15 10:17 PM (#114303 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Yeap, was going to use it tonight. But one of the horses decided he would try and colic so that was first on the list. Hope all is well, vet oiled him and said there was good gut sounds and nice slow heart rate. Guess the cold weather is getting him.... Was 30's last week, 70 yesterday and 36 today.
Posted 2009-12-16 6:01 AM (#114308 - in reply to #114251) Subject: RE: CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
Darn the luck. Yes the weather is flipping all over the charts here also. Today we are heading into the freezer for the rest of the week. I luckily got all the ruts in my turn-out raked last night.
CONVERTER / BATTERY CHARGE QUESTION
The latest wiring deal? If you mean the loop charge, what that is a 4ga wire run to the batteries on the truck with a quick connect mounted on the rear then the same type 4ga wire run to the trailer batteries with a quick connect that hooks to the truck when towing so the truck will charge the trailer while driving since the factory wire is only a 14ga or 16ga for the power wire on the truck and trailer.