Not charging on Generator charging fine on shore power

[aksnowgod]

Have a 2017 Forest River Vibe 21FBS. Earlier this summer the batteries stopped charging when using my Generator. Genset is a 4000 watt Pulsar with a 30 AMP connector that I connect the camper to using the 30 AMP cord on the camper. Have used this setup for several years without problem.

What I cannot figure out is why batteries charge just fine using shore power, both on 30 AMP or 15/20 AMP using the cord adapter plugged into our house. I even tried connecting to the generator with the 15/20 amp and an adapter to the 30 AMP.

My batteries were aging so thought maybe that was it. Installed 2 new 6 volt batteries hoping to fix it but still a problem. Even made sure the Generator has a good earth ground. Reverse polarity fuses are good. although if they were bad it wouldnt charge on shore power.

Not sure what else it could possibly be.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by aksnowgod

Have a 2017 Forest River Vibe 21FBS. Earlier this summer the batteries stopped charging when using my Generator. Genset is a 4000 watt Pulsar with a 30 AMP connector that I connect the camper to using the 30 AMP cord on the camper. Have used this setup for several years without problem.

What I cannot figure out is why batteries charge just fine using shore power, both on 30 AMP or 15/20 AMP using the cord adapter plugged into our house. I even tried connecting to the generator with the 15/20 amp and an adapter to the 30 AMP.

My batteries were aging so thought maybe that was it. Installed 2 new 6 volt batteries hoping to fix it but still a problem. Even made sure the Generator has a good earth ground. Reverse polarity fuses are good. although if they were bad it wouldnt charge on shore power.

Not sure what else it could possibly be.

Have you measured the voltage at the generator? Is the circuit breaker located on the generator tripped? Flip it OFF and then back ON just to be sure.

It could be the generator capacitor has failed. If so, no or not much voltage output. That won't power the converter to charge the batteries.

The fact the 30 amp shore power works is an indication the issue is with the generator.

Bob

[aksnowgod]

Generator powers everything within the camper just fine, Fridge automatically switches from propane to electric, TV, Microwave, AC, all work fine. all the 110 outlets work.

[Twinboat]

Measure the output voltage of the generator. There is no reason, other then that for it not to charge.

[Aussieguy]

check that the converter is getting 120v
use multimeter to test it ...

if is not getting 120v check the converter's breaker

if you use 30 amp plug directly into trailer 120v shorepower INLET, that should work.

If you connect it to a transfer switch ... make sure the switch is NOT wired to bypass converter .... this is commonly done for transfer switches set up for INVERTER power.
Plug in using the shorepower inlet... trailer won't know or care .... if it is generator or campground pedestal



make sure battery disconnect is turned to allow battery charging and that any 12v breaker at the battery has not tripped.

[Giboneys]

Try a neutral bonding plug like this.

https://a.co/d/iwg5PpV

[aksnowgod]

I made my own neutral bonding plug and no change..

Volt meter shows 125 volts from the generator...

[aksnowgod]

So it is the Generator... I borrowed a friends genset to test with and it powers up the converter/charger like it should...

I hate to get a new generator this one is great.. it basically lives in the back of my truck and has a keyfob remote to power it on/off.. Probably never find another as nice. Its not easy getting decent deals on heavy equipment here in Alaska. You get whatever is being sold at the time. LOL

[IamProStreet]

It makes no sense that the generator makes the A/C and everything else on 120v work except the converter. The converter don’t care if the 120v comes from a generator or a power pole. If the generator is making enough to run the A/C it’s making enough for the converter. Something strange is going on, please keep us updated once you get a new generator and use it for a while.

[aksnowgod]

Originally Posted by IamProStreet

It makes no sense that the generator makes the A/C and everything else on 120v work except the converter. The converter don’t care if the 120v comes from a generator or a power pole. If the generator is making enough to run the A/C it’s making enough for the converter. Something strange is going on, please keep us updated once you get a new generator and use it for a while.

Its crazy I know... I opened a support case with the manufacturer. Not sure it will go anywhere since its no longer under warranty but maybe they can at least answer what it could be.

[IamProStreet]

Could it be just coincidence when it was and wasn’t working? Loose wire connection, bad converter? Did you switch back and forth between generators several times to make sure it was only not working with your generator? I’m sure it’s not cheep buying a new generator up in Alaska, would hate for you to spend a bunch of money and the problem crops back up soon after.

[aksnowgod]

Originally Posted by IamProStreet

Could it be just coincidence when it was and wasn’t working? Loose wire connection, bad converter? Did you switch back and forth between generators several times to make sure it was only not working with your generator? I’m sure it’s not cheep buying a new generator up in Alaska, would hate for you to spend a bunch of money and the problem crops back up soon after.

I did immediatley switch back to my own generator so yea it is def something with the generator.. I tested the frequency with my Fluke meter and both Generators were 60hz and 125 volts..

[chrisski]

Could also be a modified sine wave versus pure sine wave.

[aksnowgod]

Originally Posted by chrisski

Could also be a modified sine wave versus pure sine wave.

Its a pure sine wave (unless that is broken?)

Im a techie so yea have a nice Fluke meter. its running at 125 volt 60hz.. checked my friends genset and its the same.

[chrisski]

My bet would be if you had some scope to look at the wave form, something would show, even under surge.

What works with some solar chargers ac to dc converters is start at a low amperage charge and go up. Probably not an option with an RV charger.

[aksnowgod]

Figured it out.. I have a 25 ft 30 amp extension cord to cover the distance from the generator to the built in cord of the camper. Have had it as long as I have had the generator. When I was testing last week I tried a 15 amp extension cord of similar length and had the same issue. I hadnt tried ruling the extension out until today when I was able to get the truck close enough to the camper to connect without the extension.

the bummer is I need an extension to be able to keep the generator in the truck. Will try a new one and see if it works or not.

[Aussieguy]

look to see if cord has any signs of damage

wiggle the ends see if power is affected
you may just need to buy a new cord end plug
cutt off the old plug and replace takes about 10 minutes and is a few dollars

[aksnowgod]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

look to see if cord has any signs of damage

wiggle the ends see if power is affected
you may just need to buy a new cord end plug
cutt off the old plug and replace takes about 10 minutes and is a few dollars

Checked it out and everything appears still as new. connections are tight and clean... I looked up the specs on it and it doesnt say if its pure copper or copper coated wiring.. I ordered a new one that is pure copper. Should have it next week. Will post the outcome.

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by aksnowgod

Checked it out and everything appears still as new. connections are tight and clean... I looked up the specs on it and it doesnt say if its pure copper or copper coated wiring.. I ordered a new one that is pure copper. Should have it next week. Will post the outcome.

So the generator is fine...that's a relief. I hope the new extension cord solves the problem.

One thing...please clarify. You determined that the 30 amp extension cord was at fault. But you also tried a 15 amp extension cord...with adapter...and that was, by coincidence, bad, too? Or, did you just add the 30-to-15 amp adapter to the end of the 30 amp extension cord and plug the extension cord into the duplex outlet on the genny?

Depending on the answer to this question, read on if you used a 15 amp extension cord between the genny and an adapter on the end of the rig's primary power cord. If you added the adapter to the male end of the 30 amp extension cord...ignore what follows.

If your new extension cord doesn't resolve the problem, consider that the 30 amp male plug on your primary cord might be the culprit. On the one hand, the female socket on your extension cord might be a sloppy fit after years of use. But, unless you are totally sure that the 15 amp cord was dead, too, there might still be more to this than meets the eye.

I also suggest end-to-end continuity (ohms) testing of your primary power cord while subjecting it to some movement. Use your Fluke with some alligator clips on the male end to allow you to wiggle the cord and look for intermittents.

It sounds as if you solved it, but intermittent electrical problems can be a real bugger. I hope you're good to go.

PS. My genny has a 30 amp twistlock connector that requires an adapter to the conventional 3-prong male plug. For me, this Rube-Goldberg adapter would be where I start looking for problems.

[aksnowgod]

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

So the generator is fine...that's a relief. I hope the new extension cord solves the problem.

One thing...please clarify. You determined that the 30 amp extension cord was at fault. But you also tried a 15 amp extension cord...with adapter...and that was, by coincidence, bad, too? Or, did you just add the 30-to-15 amp adapter to the end of the 30 amp extension cord and plug the extension cord into the duplex outlet on the genny?

Depending on the answer to this question, read on if you used a 15 amp extension cord between the genny and an adapter on the end of the rig's primary power cord. If you added the adapter to the male end of the 30 amp extension cord...ignore what follows.

If your new extension cord doesn't resolve the problem, consider that the 30 amp male plug on your primary cord might be the culprit. On the one hand, the female socket on your extension cord might be a sloppy fit after years of use. But, unless you are totally sure that the 15 amp cord was dead, too, there might still be more to this than meets the eye.

I also suggest end-to-end continuity (ohms) testing of your primary power cord while subjecting it to some movement. Use your Fluke with some alligator clips on the male end to allow you to wiggle the cord and look for intermittents.

It sounds as if you solved it, but intermittent electrical problems can be a real bugger. I hope you're good to go.

PS. My genny has a 30 amp twistlock connector that requires an adapter to the conventional 3-prong male plug. For me, this Rube-Goldberg adapter would be where I start looking for problems.

Last week when camping I had tried using an older 50 ft 15 amp extension cord that I keep in the camper and an adapter on the end to connect to the 30 amp connection of the camper.. Have probably had it 30 plus years, and its age is why its in the storage bin of the camper. Yes it had the same issues. Really hoping this isnt a continuous trend.