Low converter ouput

[tech740]

Any ideas who I would only get 11.93V out of my converter? Thought I had bad batteries but unhooked checking just the leads I only get 11.93V. Thanks

[ChuckS]

With batteries disconnected if that’s all your seeing then your converter has seen better days and needs replacing

[Diver]

i had the same issue
would charge barely .. took over nite with no draw .. batterys would last 5 minutes if heat fan kicked on and lites would dim ...
replaced the converter and wow what a difference

[tech740]

So I did some more testing. I have 13.6 at the back of the converter but 11.7 at the leads??? What the heck does that mean.

[chuckster57]

What leads?

[tech740]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

What leads?

At the battery leads with them off the batteries.

[chuckster57]

Ok. Then it’s time to work backwards. Using a meter, start at the first connection. Also check for any resistance in the ground.

[JRTJH]

As Chuck said, Pay attention to any resistance in the leads... I'd start by removing the negative battery terminal at the ground lug on the trailer frame, clean that well, make sure the lug is tight and reinstall the battery terminal and all other wires that were attached. Don't forget to check the wires "INSIDE" the crimp connector. They are notorious for corroding and causing the symptoms you have.

From there, work back following the wires all the way from the battery to the converter lugs at the DC fuse panel.

[skids]

Even the spades on the fuse can add to resistance. I know it is in a sealed housing to help protect it, but the housing is on the outside near the batteries.

[tech740]

So far I have found 4 grounds. I am guessing there are more. I have wore wheeled and cleaned them all. I am up to 12.2v. Any idea how many grounds there are on a camper. I seem to be gaining resistance though my inverter. I am at 4 ohms on the grounds that come from there. My batteries are also grounded through the inverter. Is that normal?

[chuckster57]

Your converter should have a ground wire attached to either the frame or the ground bar at the breaker panel if it’s a stand alone converter.

[tech740]

It is stand alone. I pulled the converter out and checked the connections and tightened all connections at the breaker box also. I have 13.6 between the red and white at the converter. I have 12-12.2 between the red and the ground on the converter. Also with all the lights on and the lower voltage at the batteries I noticed that the fan isn’t running on the converter.

[chuckster57]

Since it’s 12V, I would try running a temp wire from the converter ground to the battery negative and see what your readings are.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by tech740

So far I have found 4 grounds. I am guessing there are more. I have wore wheeled and cleaned them all. I am up to 12.2v. Any idea how many grounds there are on a camper. I seem to be gaining resistance though my inverter. I am at 4 ohms on the grounds that come from there. My batteries are also grounded through the inverter. Is that normal?

I'm confused. When you said inverter did you mean converter? I don't understand the last sentance about "My batteries are also grounded through the inverter. Is that normal" For the batteries to be grounded THROUGH the "converter it would mean the batteries would have ONE negative cable attached to the negative side of the converter and then the converter grounded to the frame via it's chassis.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I'm confused. When you said inverter did you mean converter? I don't understand the last sentance about "My batteries are also grounded through the inverter. Is that normal" For the batteries to be grounded THROUGH the "converter it would mean the batteries would have ONE negative cable attached to the negative side of the converter and then the converter grounded to the frame via it's chassis.

No I have a residential fridge. The negative for my batteries runs to the Inverter then that is grounded. The Converter is right behind my breaker/fuse panel.

[chuckster57]

If you have an INVERTER for your fridge then it should have battery cables from both the positive and negative sides of the battery.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by tech740

No I have a residential fridge. The negative for my batteries runs to the Inverter then that is grounded. The Converter is right behind my breaker/fuse panel.

I can’t see Keystone (if this was factory installed) spending the money on material and time to do that unless the inverter manufacturer sain to intall it that way.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

If you have an INVERTER for your fridge then it should have battery cables from both the positive and negative sides of the battery.

It does. I was just clarifying the answer to that question. At the Convertor I have 13.6 across the red and white but only 12.1 from red to ground wire mounted to the converter.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I can’t see Keystone (if this was factory installed) spending the money on material and time to do that unless the inverter manufacturer sain to intall it that way.

It was factory installed. Technically Forest River did it but it is factory. Thinking of getting another black wire and making my own ground from batteries to the chassis.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by tech740

It was factory installed. Technically Forest River did it but it is factory. Thinking of getting another black wire and making my own ground from batteries to the chassis.

So there isn’t a “direct” ground from the battery to the frame? If not I would certainly add one.