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Topic: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator (Read 682 times) previous topic - next topic

House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Greetings. We have a Heart Freedom inverter/converter that might be nearing the end of its useful life. We've been plugged into 50A service for more than three months, without electrical issues, while our DD 6v92TA is being rebuilt. In recent days, we have 120V power throughout the coach, but the house batteries are not charging. However, after I interrupt the power to the inverter it begins to charge when power is restored. Then, after 1 to 2 minutes, it simply stops charging. Is there any hope for this antique device?
Larry Butler
1994 U300 40'

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #1 –
What is voltage at the battery when this happens. Your inverter/charger is designed to NOT try to charge a deeply discharged battery.  So, if voltage is below mid 11 VDC, it is doing exactly what it should.  If so, you will need to start the charging process with a cheap "stupid" charger, jumper cables from another vehicle, etc.

If the above is not the issue, before going further with troubleshooting, make sure all connections at batteries and inverter are clean and tight.
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 on shore power or generator

Reply #2 –
Thanks, Brett. I watch house voltage carefully, and even when not charging has not fallen below 12.4 v. The connections are clean and tight - at least the ones outside the inverter. This is an intermittent problem, apparently - one that sometimes corrects itself after I cut and restore power to the inverter. I'm tempted to simply accept this as idiosyncratic behavior, except that it's a new and different behavior. In my experience that's never good. As I write, the voltage has returned to normal - 13.0 to 13.2 volts.
Larry Butler
1994 U300 40'

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #3 –
Quote from: techcfo –
Thanks, Brett. I watch house voltage carefully, and even when not charging has not fallen below 12.4 v. The connections are clean and tight - at least the ones outside the inverter. This is an intermittent problem, apparently - one that sometimes corrects itself after I cut and restore power to the inverter. I'm tempted to simply accept this as idiosyncratic behavior, except that it's a new and different behavior. In my experience that's never good. As I write, the voltage has returned to normal - 13.0 to 13.2 volts.

Happy new inverter!

Short of that, after you've checked all of the external connections, all you have left is something internal which means tiny.  If you are very lucky it could be a plug in connector with an oxidized pin or two.  Otherwise it's a broken solder connection on a circuit board which means bright lights and lots of magnification.  Pro tip:  Look for a gray circle around the lead, something that indicated the solder is broken at that point.

Sorry, but, Happy new inverter.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #4 –
The hearts internal connections, as posted, corrode.  The contactors(points of a type) corrode. Reducing their output. 

My inverter rebuilder mentioned dust internally, loose wires, corroded board connections, loose wires.

He charged $800 to repair and replace and tighten the wiring and the  heavily coat the assembled boards.

The new Magnums have coated boards to help slow the corrosion processes.

Sealed inverter/chargers can reduce these corrosion issues substantially. 

The contractors wear.

The heart freedoms had large surface area contactors to help the issue over long time according to my rebuild guy. 

My charger  was down 30% from the rating new from the lower surface area contactors.

Eric showed them to me after removal



"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #5 –
Thanks everybody. Looks like I'm in for a new inverter when this one becomes unresponsive to my ministrations. I appreciate you sharing your insights.
Larry Butler
1994 U300 40'

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #6 –
Larry, what happened with your engine? I have a '93 with the same engine.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #7 –
Looks like it got too hot 8 or 10 months ago. It still ran after that, but power was down and vibrations were getting worse. Damage was serious enough - cracked exhaust manifold, biffed turbo, and oil burning - that a rebuild was indicated. Keep it cool and they say a DD will run forever. Hope this helps.
Larry Butler
1994 U300 40'

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #8 –
Yup, the DD two strokes are very sensitive to overheating.
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 on shore power or generator

Reply #9 –
Next question is,why the 3 months for a overhaul?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.
 

Re: House batteries not charging on shore power or generator

Reply #10 –
Your Heart inverter may be "fixable":
Heart Interface Freedom 25
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370