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01-18-2016, 07:35 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hollywood, MD
Posts: 67
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Why don't RV's have battery trickle chargers when plugged in ?
My FR Lex 265DS does not charge the hotel batteries when plugged in to local power. This caused my slides and auto-levelers to malfunction due to depleted batteries. My boat has a trickle charge that keeps both batteries charged all the time. Can a battery trickle charger be added to the main power system? Why isn't that standard?
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01-18-2016, 07:43 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Your unit should charge the batteries when plugged in to power that is what the converter does when working right.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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01-18-2016, 07:52 PM
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#3
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Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
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Transfer switch malfunction?
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01-18-2016, 08:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,363
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You have a problem with your converter
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2016 Forester GTS 2801QSF
2011 Jeep JK Toad
Habitual RV Modifier
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01-19-2016, 12:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 426
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Bad converter
Quote:
Originally Posted by fdwarren
My FR Lex 265DS does not charge the hotel batteries when plugged in to local power. This caused my slides and auto-levelers to malfunction due to depleted batteries. My boat has a trickle charge that keeps both batteries charged all the time. Can a battery trickle charger be added to the main power system? Why isn't that standard?
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A lot of the converters are made in China and a malfunction isn't uncommon.
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01-19-2016, 01:05 PM
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#6
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Op if you have a 8955 Wfco converter and need one, I have an upgraded new in the box replacement
2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"
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01-19-2016, 01:05 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fdwarren
My FR Lex 265DS does not charge the hotel batteries when plugged in to local power. This caused my slides and auto-levelers to malfunction due to depleted batteries. My boat has a trickle charge that keeps both batteries charged all the time. Can a battery trickle charger be added to the main power system? Why isn't that standard?
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Make sure your battery disconnect switch is NOT in the disconnect position.
__________________
2015 Coachmen Prism 2150LE
MBenz Sprinter Chassis
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01-19-2016, 03:58 PM
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#8
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Air Force Retiree
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 55
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Make Sure your converter is putting out, and tHat house battery switch is turned on.
Also check the model of your converter to make sure it will cycle to a trick charge when batteries are fully charged. Cheap converters don't do this and will run your batteries dry and then burn up your batteries if left on charge all the time.
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01-19-2016, 04:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 323
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Where oh where is my charge?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fdwarren
My FR Lex 265DS does not charge the hotel batteries when plugged in to local power. This caused my slides and auto-levelers to malfunction due to depleted batteries. My boat has a trickle charge that keeps both batteries charged all the time. Can a battery trickle charger be added to the main power system? Why isn't that standard?
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Most if not all rv's that have a on board power system (storage batteries) have a onboard charger, now it should be said that there is a big difference between a low end charging system and a high end system. That being said most factory installed converters are the low to middle grade models (until you get to high end motorhomes) and if you are going to be spending a good amount of time off grid you will absolutely want to upgrade the converter and battery system the factory installs.
But this is no way means that you coach should not be charging the (house) batteries even to just maintain a basic amount of power to use the slides and the leveling system. So since you did not state the year of your coach/battery no one help with any battery conditions, so you will need to have your battery checked t see if it can in fact hold a charge, and if you battery can indeed hold a charge then have the converter checked for it's operation.
Ju7st to let you know with the factory converters not being the best most owners will have the need to replace them within a five year period for one reason or another, so it is not unusual for that to happen.
Hope some of this helps and Happy Camping
P.S. and yes last yr i had the need to change mine and yes it was upgraded from factory
__________________
B.Smith
2010 Cedar Creek Silverback 35ts
2001 GMC 2500HD w/ Allison & 8.1
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01-19-2016, 04:59 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,739
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Howdy fdwarren, I read your post about the battery chargers (which is a function of your converter). Here are some links I always suggest for those new (don't worry we were all new at one point in time) to the RV/motorhome lifestyle that may help. You can read at your own leisure.
Electrical 101:
Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)
The function of the converter:
http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformat...d-amp-draw.asp
General purpose everything electrical. Peruse all the tabs:
RV Electric
Dual power source Suburban water heater (if equipped on yours). This one is probably the most misunderstood thing in a RV for those just starting out.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html
Hope it helps, Bobby
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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01-19-2016, 05:50 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: N. j.
Posts: 129
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I never just run slides or jacks on battery power when shore power available last thing I do is level unit then put slides out or use gen set by the time U run the jacks and the slides the battery's. Are low not good. For the pump or motors
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01-19-2016, 05:57 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hollywood, MD
Posts: 67
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You have given me great info and super links. It appears I have a converter issue, because I was plugged into 120v shore power but the batteries were not charged. They were fine 3 weeks before on our last trip. Thank you all. This is agreed forum, especially for a newly like me.
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01-19-2016, 11:37 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Longueuil QC Canada
Posts: 224
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We also have a 2012 Lexington 265DS, a real good MH to fit our needs.
After having to change last year's new batteries (under store warranty), we found the guilty apparatus: WFCO converter.
On 1/9/2016, ordered a new Progessive Dynamics PD9260C from Best Converter.com.
Should arrive within few days; just in time for departure dowm South to get old bones warmer.
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01-20-2016, 08:53 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Simons Island, GA
Posts: 1,234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerveVR
We also have a 2012 Lexington 265DS, a real good MH to fit our needs.
After having to change last year's new batteries (under store warranty), we found the guilty apparatus: WFCO converter.
On 1/9/2016, ordered a new Progessive Dynamics PD9260C from Best Converter.com.
Should arrive within few days; just in time for departure dowm South to get old bones warmer.
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The WFCO converter was the first thing to go in my unit in the first 6 months. Per the recommendation of my local RV guy [Newcastle RV in Brunswick GA] I ordered and installed a Progressive unit and have been very satisfied. I also use the Progressive 50 amp surge protector. That has saved us twice, once with a bad ground leg at the box. GFI kept kicking out. Checked the protector and sure enough, no ground.
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Aviator Wright Flyer #1919
Army Pathfinder Vietnam, 3 tours
DAV, MOPH, VFW, NRA, 1stCav. ABN
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