Battery indicator lights

[texaspete1]

I have power cord plugged into the wall now for three days and only three lights are on. The panel has
4 lights for the battery.

[Fishtexx]

Either your panel monitor lights are malfunctioning, or your battery is no longer accepting a full charge. Unplug your power cord, wait an hour to allow surface charge to dissipate, then take a digital volt meter and check battery voltage.
= or >12.67 volts is a fully charged 12v battery. If battery fails, I would try charging it with another charger and retest. If battery fails again, replace. If battery passes, i would suspect and test converter in RV. I don't trust the panel lights...Hope this helps.

[Mr. Dan]

Check your 110v breaker for your converter. I've been told all 4 lights will be on IF the converter is charging the battery regardless of the battery's charge level.

[texaspete1]

Thank you for the responses. My fifth wheel has an inverter not an converter if that makes a difference.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Or............that fourth light is burnt out.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by texaspete1

Thank you for the responses. My fifth wheel has an inverter not an converter if that makes a difference.

Those are different things. You must have both. The converter takes the 120 volt current when plugged into a pedestal and converts it to 12 volts to recharge your battery. The inverter takes 12 volt battery current and steps it up to 120 volts for appliances to use when not connected to a pedestal. This uses a lot of battery power. The inverter is normally turned off when connected to a pedestal. If yours is turned on this may be draining your battery as fast as the converter is charging it.

[Mr. Dan]

Woody is correct. It's a common confusion of terms around here. I've never seen a 5th wheel (or TT) that had no converter but plenty without and inverter.

[texaspete1]

Thanks you. What does the converter look like.

[Fishtexx]

With your unit plugged in, battery disconnect switch turned on, you should see
13.2 +/- volts at the battery with your volt meter. That will tell you the converter is charging the battery. Turn on all the lights in the camper and retest, voltage should still be 13.2 +/- which means the converter is carrying the load and charging the battery.

[5picker]

I can only think of four things that might cause the 4th light on the monitor to not illuminate when plugged into shore power...
1. 4th light burned out.
2. Monitor panel not functioning correctly. (reading voltage)
3. Converter not functioning correctly. (not charging)
4. Battery shorted/damaged and not allowing converter to output the correct current.

By temporarily removing a battery cable (or utilizing the battery cut-off switch) you should be able to eliminate # 4. Once unhooked, if all 4 lights come on it's likely the battery. If only 3 lights continue to come on, it could be any of the first three.

As mentioned, checking with a multimeter is best provided you have one and know how to use it. I suspect you don't based on your comments.

[texaspete1]

I will try that. What does the converter look like. I know where the inverter is.

[texaspete1]

I have a multimeter and learning how to use it. I thank you for your time and efforts.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by texaspete1

I will try that. What does the converter look like. I know where the inverter is.

The converter is part of the power distribution center. (fuses/breaker box)

[texaspete1]

Ok. I know where the breaker box with all the fuses are. You say the converter is in there too?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Those are different things. You must have both.

It's unlikely the situation here unless the OP bought a used unit where it was upgraded. But, for completeness sake...

Depending on upgrades done, there are inverter/chargers where the converter is removed entirely. I almost went down this route but couldn't force myself to spend $2,100 on the inverter/charger + accouterments that I wanted.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by texaspete1

I will try that. What does the converter look like. I know where the inverter is.

My converter was behind my distribution panel. It's a hassle to get to.

Here's a recent picture as I was replacing my converter:

[Flybob]

Does your microwave or any 110V outlets work? If the house outlet you are plugged into has a GFCI you may have tripped it.
Are the two high current fuses ( 30-40A) in the fuse/breaker panel OK? If you plug in with a very dead battery, you can blow these with the initial charging current.
Do you ave a battery disconnect switch that is turned off?

[texaspete1]

The battery disconnect switch is like a toggle switch. You either push it in or pull it out. I don't know which way is on or off?

[5picker]

Mine was (I've since changed to a dual marine switch) out=off - in=on.

[texaspete1]

So should it be on or off to charge the batteries?