3/11/2010 11:50:43 AM permalink
herb Posts 3	While connected to shore power, my house batteries are in a state of continual discharge. It's very prevalent at night while using the 12 volt lights in the coach (they get noticably dimmer). They do not recharge overnight. The converter is an Intelepower 9100 and is the stock equipment. The converter output is 13.5 vdc measured at the component and 13.4 vdc measured at the batteries (2 new deep cycle). There is a small plus/minus factor to these measurements. I disconnected the batteries from the converter and it runs the house 12-volt system just fine. As soon as I reconnect to the batteries with shore power being applied, the batteries seem to take over and power the 12-volt system. I don't understand the converter/charger's role in the great scheme of things. I was under the impression that the converter would, under these conditions, power the 12-volt system and trickle charge the battery bank. I have also located, cleaned, reinstalled and checked the grounding points at the converter and battery. They measure zero resistance with my meter. Everything points to the converter unless there is another component in the system that isolates the battery when the converter is functioning. I purchased the coach six months ago and have had no problem until roughly three weeks ago. The coach is an 05 HR Vacationer Any thoughts would be appreciated. Phil Kennedy
	3/11/2010 8:42:56 PM permalink
Steve Roddy Lazydays Employee Posts 282	I don't understand how the batteries are in a state of discharge if you are measuring 13.4vdc at the batteries. A fully charged battery will read approximately 12.6vdc. A converter simply changes 110vac power to 12vdc to operate all 12vdc systems and charge batteries. Since the 12vdc circuit consisting of the batteries, converter and all 12vdc loads are connected in parrallel the idea of whether the converter or the battery runs lights etc.. is not important. Every converter has an output rating. It will vary the output as needed for the load and battey charging requirements. If we exceed the converter output then the battery is used as a bank to borrow power from until some items are turned off then we will repay the borrowed power by the comverter recharging the batteries. Is your 13.4vdc reading with the meter leads on the positive and negative terminals of the battery? Also make sure several lights are turned on inside to put a load on the system. Weak or loose connections will not be evident without a load on the system. When confirming a charge from a coverter we measure voltage at the batteries when unplugged from shore power which should read approximately 12.6vdc. Then plug in the coach and the reading should increase at least .5vdc to confirm charging. Double check and post your findings to give me more information.
	3/13/2010 3:31:25 PM permalink
herb Posts 3	The initial measurements were taken with the converter disconnected from the battery to see what output there was and if there was any voltage drop at the battery end (at the opposite end of the coach). I chargerd the batteries up, reconnected them and the next morning took the following readings: Shore power on/no load...13.26v at converter, 12.57 at battery terminals Shore power off/no load...12.38v at battery terminals Shore power on/load applied...11.85 at battery terminals, took several times over a 5 minute period. The batteries are new, purchased in last Oct. I'll chk the SG on each of the cells Connections I checked are are tight. I'll take voltage/resistance readings at each of the lights etc. PK
	3/15/2010 8:11:16 AM permalink
Steve Roddy Lazydays Employee Posts 282	With your reading of 13.2vdc at the converter and only 12.5 at the battery terminals shows that the converter is working but the charge current is not reaching the batteries. Check the fuses in the converter and there is a fuse or breaker at the battery also that needs to be checked. According to code this fuse or breaker should be within 18" of the battery. If there are no blown fuses or tripped breakers the next item would be a bad or weak connection from the converter to the batteries. The voltage drop that you have recorded of more than .5vdc is preventing the batteries from being charged. If the fuses check good make sure they are making good contact in the fuse holders. This can be done by taking a voltage reading on both sides of the fuse to locate your voltage drop or set meter on dc voltage and put a lead on each side of the fuse or connection. If you display a voltage reading across any connection then you have found your problem. What is the reading at the converter with shore power off/no load? It should be the same as your battery reading of 12.38vdc. This test will also confirm a connection problem from the batteries to the converter.
	3/16/2010 10:45:32 AM permalink
herb Posts 3	I think I may have found it!!! A loose fuse connection on the converter. I tightened it up and reinstalled. I have 12.9 v at the batteries no load/ no shore power. 13.5 v at batteries load applied/shore power on. I'll watch over the next couple of days to see what happens. Many thanks for your help. I'm a newbie and the learning curve is steep. PK
	3/16/2010 11:54:31 AM permalink
Steve Roddy Lazydays Employee Posts 282	Congratulations!!! Good job.
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