Location of Battery Inverter

[LostinaCanadianWood]

We are running a 35ft 5th wheel cardinal in an off grid location.

We use solar & a generator to pump water, top tanks & top up batteries.

Our batteries are not charging when we are running the generator. No issues we are aware of with panels etc.

I jerry rigged a battery charger external using an extension cable from teh generator & batteries are charging.

So I'm searching for the physical invertor (or components) in the trailer as part of the charging system to test, find out whats coing on & update if required.

Any ideas where I might look & what I'm looking for to help narrow the search?

Thanks,

G

[nayther]

You're looking for the CONVERTER. An inverter produces 120v from 12v, the converter does the opposite.


It is usually located very near the power center. If it's not visible in the lower portion of the power center, behind a plate, then it may be behind the power center, that's where my last two have been. In the power center there should be two large wires landing on posts that power all the 12v fuses. Test at that location with the batteries on but no charger to see if the converter is working. There should be a breaker for the converter and most have fuses too. It would help if you posted make/model of trailer.


Moderator, might want to move this to electrical forum

[LostinaCanadianWood]

Nayther,

Thanks for updating my understaninf & knowledge. And narrowing the search.

It's a Forest River 2010 spec Cardinal 3050 RL

[bikendan]

Moved to the Cardinal sub-forum since the OP is asking for model-specific information.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

[FirstFiver]

Originally Posted by LostinaCanadianWood

We are running a 35ft 5th wheel cardinal in an off grid location.

We use solar & a generator to pump water, top tanks & top up batteries.

Our batteries are not charging when we are running the generator. No issues we are aware of with panels etc.

I jerry rigged a battery charger external using an extension cable from teh generator & batteries are charging.

So I'm searching for the physical invertor (or components) in the trailer as part of the charging system to test, find out whats coing on & update if required.

Any ideas where I might look & what I'm looking for to help narrow the search?

Thanks,

G

Look behind the panel in the basement that is in front of the stairs. There may or may not be a smaller inspection panel that you can remove that is in the middle of the basement divider panel.

[High Country Duramax]

Mine is in the wall behind breaker/fuse box.

[Retired JSO]

Our inverter is located in the front compartment just above the batteries.

[djousma]

Make sure your battery disconnect switch isn't enabled. If you can remove the red key, your battery is disconnected and not getting charged.

[CHICKDOE]

Originally Posted by FirstFiver

Look behind the panel in the basement that is in front of the stairs. There may or may not be a smaller inspection panel that you can remove that is in the middle of the basement divider panel.

that is where the converter is on our cardinal. there is a small access panel you can remove to see it.

[Mr. Dan]

This thread is 2 months old. OP’s Last Activity: 05-12-2022 08:06 PM.