Need help

[notanlines]

"Either the 110 to 12v converter is not working well, or it's your transfer switch is not switching your 110 to 12v and you are still using your batteries."
None of our RV's (9) have ever had a transfer switch from 1110v to 12v.

[Kzneft]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

What “transfer switch” are you talking about?

Since I also have a onboard generator the transfer switch needs to know if you are running off a generator or shore power. Not sure if trailers that are not toy haulers have a transfer switch. Maybe not if you don't have a generator.

Originally Posted by sourdough

The highlighted above would be incorrect. Not only does the RV use the battery power to run high usage items (slides etc.) that the converter should not be used for alone, bad batteries will drain the converter output and cause exactly what the OP described - btdt.

I am correct on my fairly new Carbon. I can disconnect ALL my batteries and while plugged in to shore power I can run everything, including slides, hydraulic jacks, furnace, fridge, and everything else. Everything works. Why would a RV mfg make you use your batteries for the furnace while plugged in? Makes no sense.

[Kzneft]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

What “transfer switch” are you talking about?

'

Transfer switch pic. Same as I have my my RV

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

Since I also have a onboard generator the transfer switch needs to know if you are running off a generator or shore power. Not sure if trailers that are not toy haulers have a transfer switch. Maybe not if you don't have a generator.



I am correct on my fairly new Carbon. I can disconnect ALL my batteries and while plugged in to shore power I can run everything, including slides, hydraulic jacks, furnace, fridge, and everything else. Everything works. Why would a RV mfg make you use your batteries for the furnace while plugged in? Makes no sense.

I can disconnect mine too....and eventually ruin the converter. The converter charges the battery(s) and the battery(s) should be in place to run high amperage items like slides and/or a leveling system - it (converter) can run the little stuff.

This RV (and my last - don't remember past that) has a bold red and white sticker in the control panel that specifically states "Battery installation required for slideout operation" - I'm sure yours does as well if it hasn't disappeared. This is also from the WFCO (converter) manual - "A battery is typically only necessary if you do a lot of dry camping or have slide-outs and/or a leveling system". I have read other warnings as well but this is the first I found in a quick search.

My post that you quoted is correct. If you want to run without batteries and buy new converters that's fine, others just need to know that your comment was inaccurate.

[Kzneft]

Must be the difference between a Toy Hauler and a TT. Mine does not have a Converter. My shore power does not charge the batteries, only the generator does.
That still does not answer the question why his furnace would be using his batteries while plugged into shore power?

[wiredgeorge]

Converter converts 117VAC to 12V DC and charges battery simultaneous to powering 12V fused circuits.

Transfer switch either automatic or manual switches incoming 117V AC from a line source; power pedestal or generator. Has nothing to do with 12VDC directly other than the converter won't be energized if the transfer switch fails. A transfer switch is normally associated with RVs equipped with a generator.

My BIL had a new Class C with a transfer switch that fried and neither incoming AC or generator AC would get to the power center. I hot wired the power cord wires inside the box to what had been the outgoing wires from the transfer switch to temporarily allow them to have power via the pedestal. The converter didn't know any of this had occurred and functioned normally.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

'

Transfer switch pic. Same as I have my my RV

That transfer switch is for the 110VAC coming into the trailer. In normal configuration it will automatically switch from generator to shore power, it has nothing to do with the converter charging the batteries other than the source of the AC voltage to power the converter. If your converter doesn’t charge the batteries then there is an issue with the transfer switch.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

Must be the difference between a Toy Hauler and a TT. Mine does not have a Converter. My shore power does not charge the batteries, only the generator does.
That still does not answer the question why his furnace would be using his batteries while plugged into shore power?

If you don't use batteries and don't have a converter....where are you getting 12vdc to run all the 12volt electronics? Shore power is 120vac, a gen set provides 120 vac....?

Here is an excerpt from a 2018 Carbon 349 description courtesy of RV USA: "Battery : Battery Power Converter - Yes".

[Kzneft]

Originally Posted by sourdough

If you don't use batteries and don't have a converter....where are you getting 12vdc to run all the 12volt electronics? Shore power is 120vac, a gen set provides 120 vac....?

Here is an excerpt from a 2018 Carbon 349 description courtesy of RV USA: "Battery : Battery Power Converter - Yes".

I didn't say I wasn't using any batteries. I just disconnected them to see what still ran on my RV with just shore power, and everything did, including jacks, slides, and everything else. I do have four 100ah lithium batteries I use. Seldom do I camp in campgrounds, always dry camping. My solar panels keep my batteries charged, and my 3000 watt inverter powers everything in my RV except for the AC. For that I have to run the generator.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

I didn't say I wasn't using any batteries. I just disconnected them to see what still ran on my RV with just shore power, and everything did, including jacks, slides, and everything else. I do have four 100ah lithium batteries I use. Seldom do I camp in campgrounds, always dry camping. My solar panels keep my batteries charged, and my 3000 watt inverter powers everything in my RV except for the AC. For that I have to run the generator.

Anything 12V will be powered by the Converter if your batteries are disconnected and you’re plugged into shore power. Is your 3000W Inverter also the Converter for charging?

[Kzneft]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Anything 12V will be powered by the Converter if your batteries are disconnected and you’re plugged into shore power. Is your 3000W Inverter also the Converter for charging?

No, its just a inverter. I have to correct myself, as I do have a convertor (see pic), but I don't believe it charges my batteries. I am hardly ever connected to shore power to check the input to the batteries. I will have to check this for my own curiosity though. I normally rely on the solar panels and my MPPT to charge the batteries, or start the on-board generator to charge the batteries when dry camping. The solar panels work great. I have two on the roof, and two portable ones. This is the sticker on my generator, which looks like it has both 120v and 12V outputs. It might be when the generator is running the Transfer switch turns off any shore power coming in and runs everything off the generator for both 120v and 12v (safety probably). How I run my RV off the inverter is I have a HD cord from my invertor I plug in to where the shore power would come in. Works very well, except I could not run the AC with only 3000 watt inverter. Even if I could, running the AC would suck the life out of the batteries within a few hours.

[chuckster57]

When you’re running the generator, the transfer switch sends 120VAC to the breaker panel. The converter is powered by the breaker panel so when you’re running the Gen the converter is charging the batteries.

When you’re plugged into shore power the transfer switch sends 120VAC to the breaker panel and…..converter charges batteries.

The gen doesn’t “charge” the batteries.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

No, its just a inverter. I have to correct myself, as I do have a convertor (see pic), but I don't believe it charges my batteries. I am hardly ever connected to shore power to check the input to the batteries. I will have to check this for my own curiosity though. I normally rely on the solar panels and my MPPT to charge the batteries, or start the on-board generator to charge the batteries when dry camping. The solar panels work great. I have two on the roof, and two portable ones. This is the sticker on my generator, which looks like it has both 120v and 12V outputs. It might be when the generator is running the Transfer switch turns off any shore power coming in and runs everything off the generator for both 120v and 12v (safety probably). How I run my RV off the inverter is I have a HD cord from my invertor I plug in to where the shore power would come in. Works very well, except I could not run the AC with only 3000 watt inverter. Even if I could, running the AC would suck the life out of the batteries within a few hours.

Back to your first comment, which was incorrect, my correction and the slowly evolving revealment of your many mods; you have a converter...which you have to have and you knew nothing about. Your "guidance" to owners that don't have an on board gen set (most don't); "there is no converter", "you can run an RV without a converter" (for the long term).....are wrong. A better understanding of your electrical systemS would benefit you.

[Kzneft]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

When you’re running the generator, the transfer switch sends 120VAC to the breaker panel. The converter is powered by the breaker panel so when you’re running the Gen the converter is charging the batteries.

When you’re plugged into shore power the transfer switch sends 120VAC to the breaker panel and…..converter charges batteries.

The gen doesn’t “charge” the batteries.

Maybe in your case, but my generator does charge my batteries when I am dry camping.

[dutchmensport]

OK, this may be too simple, but????? Is your battery cut-off switch in the "off" position? If it is, all your 12 volt system is being powered by your converter, nothing from the battery. Converters work OK without batteries, but they do have limitations that if overloaded, lights and such will dim down.

Simple test to run... simply unplug your camper from shore power. Turn on one of your house lights. If there is no light, your battery cut off switch is in the "off" position. Flip it back on. All your problems will be solved.

I hope it's just that simple.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

Maybe in your case, but my generator does charge my batteries when I am dry camping.

Again, your generator puts out 120vac, not 12vdc nor does it have a battery charger built into it. Here is a link to your generator;

https://www.absolutegenerators.com/c...ir-cooled-evap

At the risk of being repetitive, where does it show that it has a 12vdc output, built in converter, trickle charger etc.? It doesn't, you will have a converter somewhere. You may want to spend a little time getting familiar with your power systems before you ruin something like the converter.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Kzneft

Maybe in your case, but my generator does charge my batteries when I am dry camping.

Go back and read my post. Your Gen is powering the converter and the CONVERTER is charging your batteries.

The battery leads to your Gen are only for the starter.

[notanlines]

Someone isn’t listening.
Kzneft has been told countless times his generator doesn’t produce 12 volts, but produces 120 volts. The Carbon is no different than the Raptor or any thing else with a built in generator ((or without).

[markcee]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Someone isn’t listening.
OP has been told countless times his generator doesn’t produce 12 volts, but produces 120 volts. The Carbon is no different than the Raptor or any thing else with a built in generator ((or without).

Not true! OP hasn't posted since 11/23....his problem was either resolved long ago or he's moved on. This is a side conversation...lol.

[Scar_]

Hey all! Thanks for all of the advice! After some time out of service and more than a few phone calls to tech lines, we narrowed it down to an issue with the converter.

Good news: it’s still under warranty, so it’s a no cost (at least unless it’s going to be more for a mobile tech) fix

Bad news: we’re full time and out of state, so it’ll be hard to find a tech that will honor the warranty and/or have the parts needed in any kind of timeline we can be in town.

Any advice here? How do you schedule a service visit when you live in the rig full time and are traveling?