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Topic: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok (Read 433 times) previous topic - next topic

not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Well something went south on the shore power charge circuit,
went inside coach and batteries were nearly dead.no 12 v, but 110 seemed ok.. checked and the trickle charger light was not lit.
Progressive showed good power.
Turned ignition on, dash lit up but could not try to start as radiator tank was removed and in shop.
monitor over the sink was blank.
The Co2 alarm started screaming so went back and shut it off, and the 12v light came on.. and the monitor showed power but the charge light was blinking, after an hour or so the light went steady.
after getting the gen set to start noticed that the light on the trickle charger was lit, but not so much when on shore power.
Noticed that the little green(?) light on the bottom of the Magnum inverter(?) is blinking
Shut off the gennie and the trickle charger light went out..
felt around the bottom of the Magnum and found a little button,thinking that it may be a reset as the little light next to it was blinking, so pushed and held it for a few seconds... light still blinking
turned the shore power off and on several times and now see that the trickle charger is working on shore power again..or at least it is showing power both on shore power and gennie.
Looking under the bed and in the box between the bed kick panel and engine compartment found a electrical box laveled Maverick with a TX flag on it what is this? another transfer switch box or ??

Do I have an impending failure in the near future?
 
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Reply #1 –
Quote from: saddlesore –
Well something went south on the shore power charge circuit,
went inside coach and batteries were nearly dead.no 12 v, but 110 seemed ok.. checked and the trickle charger light was not lit.
Progressive showed good power.

Looking under the bed and in the box between the bed kick panel and engine compartment found a electrical box laveled Maverick with a TX flag on it what is this? another transfer switch box or ??

At the foot of the bed, that's most likely your inverter transfer switch.

Look for another Maverick box mounted on the back wall of one of your storage bays.  Most likely where your inverter is.

At least that's how a 2003 would be set up; I'm thinking a 2002 should be similar.

Quote from: saddlesore –

Do I have an impending failure in the near future?
 

Maybe, maybe not.  If the issue is not getting the transfer switch to go to shore power, the main Maverick transfer switch likely has an over/under voltage relay in it.  If your shore voltage is too low, the relay won't pass power.  That said, since you mentioned the Progressive indicated power was good, find the main Maverick transfer switch, tighten connections (also check your shore cord itself, both ends, for anything loose).  Contactors in the Maverick should be replaceable.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Reply #2 –
I have a DynaGen transfer switch (model 60-4) in the 2nd bay that the PI is hooked to.
What is the reasoning for having 2 transfer switches?
I have an automotive electrical IQ of less than zero. color blind so never pursued any electrical/automotive wiring education. sorry
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Reply #3 –
Quote from: saddlesore –
I have a DynaGen transfer switch (model 60-4) in the 2nd bay that the PI is hooked to.
What is the reasoning for having 2 transfer switches?

In the OEM configuration

The main transfer switch has either shore or genset as input, then outputs to the main breaker box for the entire coach

The inverter transfer switch takes either passthru shore power from the main breaker box OR inverter power as input, then outputs to select circuits in your coach.

The inverter can't power everything 120 VAC in the coach from the batteries, so some of your circuits (usually some outlets, TVs, the microwave) but NOT the air conditioners receive power through the inverter transfer switch when the inverter is on (and shore power/generator is not).

So shore/generator on - everything VAC works

Inverter on when shore/generator are off - only a handful of VAC circuits will have power

none of the above on - no VAC circuits active
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Reply #4 –
Thank you,,
will be looking at the plug for shore power to see if mebbe it needs replaced.
Also when they put the PI in they just ran shore power thru it , not the gennie... thinking that I should run the gennie thru the PI as well.... (The leg voltage monitor inside is kaputsky)
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: not charging the batteries on shore power, gennie seems ok

Reply #5 –
Quote from: saddlesore –
Thank you,,
will be looking at the plug for shore power to see if mebbe it needs replaced.
Also when they put the PI in they just ran shore power thru it , not the gennie... thinking that I should run the gennie thru the PI as well.... (The leg voltage monitor inside is kaputsky)

Depending on the installation...

PI on shore power lines before transfer switch - protects transfer switch and everything downstream from shore power issues/surge.

PI after transfer switch - protects everything downstream of transfer switch from shore power or generator issues, but transfer switch itself is still vulnerable.

2 PI, 1 on generator and 1 on shore power before transfer switch - protects everything except generator and shore cord.  A couple of members have done this, but you need the space and the extra $ for the second PI.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320