Battery/Converter questions

[Skybolt49]

Just purchased a 2003 Forest River Georgetown, my batteries keep running down even plugged in my 50A outlet. Everything else works but I need to keep a trickle charger connected continuously. I don't believe I should have to do this. Where should I look first? Is there a fuse for the inverter and where are the 12V house fuses located on this model?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Skybolt49

Just purchased a 2003 Forest River Georgetown, my batteries keep running down even plugged in my 50A outlet. Everything else works but I need to keep a trickle charger connected continuously. I don't believe I should have to do this. Where should I look first? Is there a fuse for the inverter and where are the 12V house fuses located on this model?

This subject is totally outside the thread you posted in however since you asked:

Any idea when the Coach batteries were last renewed? Sounds as though they won't charge cause they are old and wore out.

If renewed in the past few years, could be the converter charging section is not working. Are the lights still bright when the batteries are low? If they are its probably the converter is ok or could be both batteries and converter are shot. Start by measuring the converter output while on line book will show maybe 13.6 VDC, be guided by the mfg. Second you can drag the batteries to a retailer and they can bench test called "load testing".

[Skybolt49]

I just replaced the two house batteries one month ago. The batteries run down if I remove the trickle charger. Where is the converter?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Skybolt49

I just replaced the two house batteries one month ago. The batteries run down if I remove the trickle charger. Where is the converter?

Any chance you hooked the batteries up backwards, even for just a second? If so, you may have blew the converters reverse polarity fuses (which means they did their job).

[VinceU]

That's why I addressed both. Trickle charging low batteries is not a good idea. The converter of current GT's is in the rear compartment with the shore power cord. Many have "reverse polarity fuses" right on the case exterior. If not there, two large fuses in the panel inside. Run the tests I mentioned before ripping it out.


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[VinceU]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Any chance you hooked the batteries up backwards, even for just a second? If so, you may have blew the converters reverse polarity fuses (which means they did their job).

X2


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[camaraderie]

Easiest way to see if your converter is dead is to plug in to a 50amp circuit and then measure the battery voltage using a multimeter AT the battery terminals. If you don't see AT LEAST 13.4 volts or as much as 14.6V then your converter is out.
Don't know where your converter is but it is GENERALLY quite close to where your power cord enters the coach. It will probably look something like one of these:
PD4645 [PD4645] - $189.95 : RV Power Parts Plus, Discount store for all your RV & Marine Electrical needs. Featuring the most trusted Manufacturers in the industry: Iota DLS Converters, Transfer Switches, Magnum Energy Inverters, Parallax Power Compo

[bend302]

On my 2005, the converter is in the electrical compartment. Try the battery charging voltage test as previously posted. That will tell you if the converter is charging. Also, there is a converter cooling fan that I can hear with my head in the compartment.

I have been told that the batteries will not charge if the battery disconnect is thrown. Not sure if that is true, just something to check. I know the batteries are new but check the water level.

My converter boiled mine dry last year.

Let us know what you find.

Bill

[Trempert]

Originally Posted by Skybolt49

Just purchased a 2003 Forest River Georgetown, my batteries keep running down even plugged in my 50A outlet. Everything else works but I need to keep a trickle charger connected continuously. I don't believe I should have to do this. Where should I look first? Is there a fuse for the inverter and where are the 12V house fuses located on this model?

This may be obvious, but is your battery disconnect switch turned on? Otherwise the batteries will not charge and eventually run down although it should take several weeks.

[Iwannacamp]

Memory(which is weak) tells me you may need to turn off 110v breaker for the inverter...wait just a bit and turn back on. Re measure voltage at batteries. On mine, if the batteries happen to be fully charged then the inventor may not start charging.

Cheap check


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