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House batteries not charging

The house batteries  don't seem to be charging on shore power or while the generator is running. The inverter / charger seems to be working....I know the inverter is.  Could it be a bad isolator? They charge perfectly while the engine is running.
Karl Shurtleff
Kingwood, TX
94 U280 Grand Villa 36'
Build #4487

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #1 –
Karl,

No, very unlikely anyone (yes through multiple owners a lot of things are possible) would wire inverter/charger to batteries through an isolator.

Most use exactly the same large-gauge wires from batteries to inverter.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #2 –
Look at the transfer relays, sounds like they are not switching to shore power when you connect.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #3 –
Just to be sure we are on the same page here...

When I think of house batteries I am thinking they are what run the lights inside as opposed to the starting batteries.

We don't have a GV, but on our U320 the engine alternator charges both banks through the isolator.

The inverter / charger only charges the house or coach bank unless I activate the boost switch on the dash. The danger of course with the boost on is if shore power goes off ALL the batteries go dead together.

In storage I keep a seperate charger on the engine / starting batteries. We need to get a xantrex echo or set up something similar as others have done

mike
2003 U320 PBDS

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #4 –
Listen for the thunk noise as you plug in shore power. Transfer switch is at fault if no noise. Contacts can be cleaned unless damaged/overheated.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #5 –
On shore power the lights all come on the way they should? I'm not sure how the inverter/charger could be working if the batteries are not showing a charge. What happens if you disconnect shore power and turn on overhead lighting?

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
On shore power the lights all come on the way they should? I'm not sure how the inverter/charger could be working if the batteries are not showing a charge. What happens if you disconnect shore power and turn on overhead lighting?

Craig


Craig
The batteries are charged and the lights are working on shore power. I have had it at home this week and have been running the generator and had it hooked to shore power off and on. I noticed that the batteries have dropped to 11.6V..  so I assume that they are not charging while plugged in. Lighting still works on batteries but w/o charging I will have an issue. In another post Mike tell me that I need the boost switch on for the charger to charge the house/coach batteries. if so that is my problem....will check it out today.

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Listen for the thunk noise as you plug in shore power. Transfer switch is at fault if no noise. Contacts can be cleaned unless damaged/overheated.

Pierce

Pierce
Transfer switch clunks and seems to be working. I did not have the boost switch on and Mike tells me that it needs to be for the coach batteries to charge on shore power.

Quote from: fonman –
Just to be sure we are on the same page here...

When I think of house batteries I am thinking they are what run the lights inside as opposed to the starting batteries.

We don't have a GV, but on our U320 the engine alternator charges both banks through the isolator.

The inverter / charger only charges the house or coach bank unless I activate the boost switch on the dash. The danger of course with the boost on is if shore power goes off ALL the batteries go dead together.

In storage I keep a seperate charger on the engine / starting batteries. We need to get a xantrex echo or set up something similar as others have done

mike

Mike
Thanks for the info. I assumed that they automatically charged on shore power...I will check it out today.
Karl Shurtleff
Kingwood, TX
94 U280 Grand Villa 36'
Build #4487

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #7 –
The converter or inverter/charger charges the HOUSE battery bank.  Not the chassis battery bank (unless the boost switch is on).

You KNOW the ATS is working of both roof A/C's work (not at the same time if on limited amp hookup).  You know this because one A/C is wired to L1 and the other to L2 (the two separate hots on 50 amp RV service).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The converter or inverter/charger charges the HOUSE battery bank.  Not the chassis battery bank (unless the boost switch is on).

You KNOW the ATS is working of both roof A/C's work (not at the same time if on limited amp hookup).  You know this because one A/C is wired to L1 and the other to L2 (the two separate hots on 50 amp RV service).
Ok thanks Brett!  Both A/C units work fine.  Inverter portion is working as I have a freezer in the basement plugged into a brown outlet....but not charging the batteries.
So if I hook up shore power ( or generator) then disconnect the large 12v cables ...I should have 12v coming out ...right.  It is a Heart Interface Freedom 25....if that means anything to you. I assume that the 12V cables coming into the back power the inverter when shore power is disconnected...and charge the batteries when shore power is present?

Here are pictures of the way that it is hooked up.  Thanks for the help!!

EDIT
I disconnected (+) where inverter connects to the batteries on the wall.  Measured only 2 volts. Verified that I had 120VAV coning in to the charger .  Assume charger portion is dead...no breakers on the front are tripped.
Karl Shurtleff
Kingwood, TX
94 U280 Grand Villa 36'
Build #4487

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #9 –
Karl,

I have never tried to check voltage with the wires disconnected from the inverter/charger.

But, with them connected and 120 VAC from the main 120 VAC breaker box IN to the inverter/charger, two things should be happening:

1.  The 120 VAC is "passed through" to all circuits downstream of the inverter/charger.
2.  The charger charges the batteries.  By charge, put a voltmeter on the batteries.  In bulk mode (when first turned on), voltage should rise to around 14 VDC unless batteries deeply discharged.

Note: on some Xantrex inverter/chargers, you can turn on/off certain features.  Make sure yours is set correctly.

Does it invert-- with shore power and generator off, are those circuits supplied by the inverter live/receiving power? 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #10 –
You may have a problem with your inverter, the ac board inside maybe not latching in which would keep it from charging. You can try to hit the front of the inverter with your hand or a rubber hammer, and it may come to life otherwise looks like time for a new one as there are not parts available for that model
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Karl,

I have never tried to check voltage with the wires disconnected from the inverter/charger.

But, with them connected and 120 VAC from the main 120 VAC breaker box IN to the inverter/charger, two things should be happening:

1.  The 120 VAC is "passed through" to all circuits downstream of the inverter/charger.
2.  The charger charges the batteries.  By charge, put a voltmeter on the batteries.  In bulk mode (when first turned on), voltage should rise to around 14 VDC unless batteries deeply discharged.

Note: on some Xantrex inverter/chargers, you can turn on/off certain features.  Make sure yours is set correctly.

Does it invert-- with shore power and generator off, are those circuits supplied by the inverter live/receiving power? 
Yes  the inverter portion seems to be working.  I have checked the settings to make sure all of the dip switches are correct.  I have it out on the bench. With 120 hooked to the charger connection...less than 1 VDC out. Contactors seem to be clean...I think it is time  >:(
Any suggestions on replacements?
Karl Shurtleff
Kingwood, TX
94 U280 Grand Villa 36'
Build #4487

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #12 –
Quote from: red tractor –
You may have a problem with your inverter, the ac board inside maybe not latching in which would keep it from charging. You can try to hit the front of the inverter with your hand or a rubber hammer, and it may come to life otherwise looks like time for a new one as there are not parts available for that model
Have it out and apart....tapped contactors....no go .  Yep I think it is time for a new one.
Karl Shurtleff
Kingwood, TX
94 U280 Grand Villa 36'
Build #4487

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #13 –
If I recall correctly the switch on the Heart box itself should be in the OFF position when using the remote panel over the door.
Gary B
 

Re: House batteries not charging

Reply #14 –
MARK SNYDER ELECTRIC can (possibly) repair your Heart Inverter.

Although getting an inverter that is a more current example would be a positive move.  pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..