Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery (Read 444 times) previous topic - next topic

94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Symptoms
All electric functions 100%

From digital plug in volt meter at the dash
Charged solar/engine 13.4 used from 4p to 6a, ran heater all night
6am  11.9, started generator- NO CHANGE @after 30 min

Q:  is it charging through the inverter/charger, that I have in the off position OR direct from the genset?

Thanks in advance ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #1 –
Quote from: fouroureye –
Q:  is it charging through the inverter/charger, that I have in the off position OR direct from the genset?
Leave the generator running, turn ON the inverter/charger, see what happens?

Generator normally supplies 110V to inverter/charger, just like if you are plugged into shore power.  Inverter/charger (in "charge" mode) should then convert 110V to 12V and charge the COACH (house) battery bank, which then powers the 12V electrical devices in the coach.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #2 –
It charges through the inverter whether it is on or off as long as the circuit breaker at the foot of the bed is "on". However, the plug in the dash connects to the START battery which does not charge from the gen unless the boost switch is on, so it will show no change.

Under the dash at the passengers feet there should be another plug which is connected to the HOUSE batteries and if you put your meter there it should show charging. OR, turn on the boost switch and the plug you are monitoring should show charging.

Btw.....unplug that digital meter and plug it back in, I bet the start battery voltage will jump back up to 12.5. Just something about Chinese technology.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #3 –
Depending on the model of inverter/charger, there may also be a circuit breaker on the unit itself?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #4 –
John,

Our '93 U280 was originally factory equipped with a stand-alone inverter, and a separate battery charger/converter.  If your coach is set up this way, it would change the answer to your original question.  What model inverter/charger do you have?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #5 –
LEARNING.... THANKS
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)
 

Re: 94 u280 power technology generator not charging house battery

Reply #6 –
Just to chime in, Here is what I learned about my '93 U280:

The converter located on the aft driver wall of the main bay is powered by either the generator or shore power. It goes through the transfer switch to the 110 breaker panel (mine is circuit 7). If the breaker is on, it should be powering the outlet located next to the converter. The lower part of the outlet is from the power source. The upper part of the outlet is not.

On the converter, there are (on mine) 70amp fuses. You have to unscrew holding screws before removing the fuses (they're locked in place).

Hope this helps.

Chuck
AKA Chuck
1993 U280 40' WTB, Build 4345, CUM 8.3 "Falcor", 2010 Honda CRV TOAD (Spock), 970W solar on roof
Full-Time traveler between Quartzsite AZ, Longview WA, Ellendale ND, and Lake City SD
The selected media item is not currently available.