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Old 04-22-2012, 06:19 PM   #1
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Generator Charge Batteries?

I had a reasonable assumption on the 27HFS that the factory installed Cummins generator would have charged the batteries? Is this not normal in a trailer (coming from a Class A)? The reason I ask is so far the generator is not charging the trailer batteries. Only way I've been able to charge them is with a battery charger or with the truck jumper cables (haven't tried plugging the trailer into power yet).

I'm wondering if that's by design or not? i.e. do I need to figure out what's broken or do I need to wire something to charge the batteries?
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Old 04-23-2012, 11:37 AM   #2
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I have swapped out the single standard 100AH battery with two AGM 80AH batteries (in parallel). Could that affect it?
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Old 04-23-2012, 11:46 AM   #3
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Can't help you without pictures.
How did you wire them up?
Are they 6 volt or 12 volt batteries?
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Old 04-23-2012, 11:51 AM   #4
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It's wired like above, except the +12V and ground go to the same battery. The original battery was removed and a new one added with the same wiring. The second battery was just piggy backed to the first battery. But, I'd be surprised if a little resistance of a 2 foot cable between the batteries would affect it from charging at all (perhaps on the longevity it could affect it).
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Old 04-23-2012, 11:59 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryRudolph View Post
It's wired like above, except the +12V and ground go to the same battery. The original battery was removed and a new one added with the same wiring. The second battery was just piggy backed to the first battery. But, I'd be surprised if a little resistance of a 2 foot cable between the batteries would affect it from charging at all (perhaps on the longevity it could affect it).
the wires should be as depicted for equalization during charging and discharging. The resistance difference of unbalanced wires is small, however even the internal resistance of two unmatched batteries is enough to cause longevity issues for both batteries.

You are correct, though. NO charging is not the problem if they are actually 12 volt batteries wired in parallel. Do they power your camper when not connected to shore power? If so look to the fuse between the generator and the batteries.
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Old 04-24-2012, 08:41 AM   #6
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What Lou says.

I will add that multiple batteries can have a whole series of problems. Generally for years 1-2 they perform quite well.

Around year 3 you MAY (as oppose to will) start to have problems. There are a bunch of things you can do to detect such problems before they occur. Batteries may provide useful service 5 years or more.

Still I would look for a bad fuse, check the charging voltage, measure the individual battery voltages.
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Old 04-24-2012, 06:34 PM   #7
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Have you checked the battery voltage with the gen set off and running? If the generator is not charging then you have a place to start. Check and see what it the diff between volts if any. Use a digital volt meter.

If you are seeing a charge you could have a bad battery with a short in one of the cells of the battery. You could do a load test if you have a tester or you can charge it up with a charger. Charge at a low rate (2amps) or you will cook the battery and let it set over night.

Check again the next day. If voltage drops you know the battery is bad. It’s going to be a process of elimination starting at the source.

Make sure all the connections on the battery are clean and upstream to the generator and charger. Remove and look. Check for corrosion or carbon. It will affect the performance and lesson the life of a battery. Also make sure if the battery can be exposed to road grime you keep it cleaned off. That dirt on top of the battery will allow moister to lie longer and your battery will lose charge across the top of the battery. Last do not use a pressure washer on a battery. If it has a vent you can force small debris into the battery.

And as mention above, your battery may just be old and pass its life and needs replaced.

And if you are not plugging the unit in you may just have a draw somewre in the system.
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Old 04-24-2012, 07:22 PM   #8
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Yah, I'm going to have to start the troubleshooting process. Good ideas on where to start. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't something special I needed for charging the AGM batteries with the generator.

The trailer is only a few months old (only had it from the dealer a month) and the batteries are a brand new set from Lifeline (they batteries are still good according to my battery charger and they hold a full charge overnight.). I did tighten up a few loose wires on the bus when adding the new batteries, so I'm wondering if I might overtightened one, knocked one off, etc. Time to spend some time working through it.
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Old 05-02-2012, 09:12 PM   #9
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It was just the 30A breaker to the batteries being triggered. I'm guessing the batteries were drained too low and two batteries causes too much of a draw.
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