Possible battery issues....need help - Page 2

campingcpl · 03-12-2012, 06:02 AM

I would agree with JRTJH in assuming that something took out the converter. When ours went out and I was installing the new one I found a loose wire that probably caused the problem. When installing the new one make sure all wires are tight.

Jorme · 03-15-2012, 06:22 PM

Ok, Have pulled the batteries out, put a full charge on them and they are good. Took out the dc side of the converter tonight and ordering a new on tomorrow. Found one online at tweedy's rv. Does someone have a better suggestion on a place to order one?

f6bits · 03-15-2012, 06:26 PM

If I was going to replace my converter, I’d get a Progressive Dynamics 4600 series upgrade kit from bestconverter.com. They have the WFCO converters as well, but general consensus seems to be that the PD ones are head and shoulders above the WFCO ones.

Jorme · 03-15-2012, 07:02 PM

Couple of questions. The fans appear to be on the opposite side in the pics. Does that matter or can you order it with it on the other side. And how do I know if I have 35,45, or 55 amp?

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f6bits · 03-16-2012, 06:35 AM

From looking at my power panel, it’s vented on both sides. The IntelliPower has fans on *both* sides, not just the one side of my WFCO one.

To find out what you have, look at the circuit breaker sticker. The WFCO model is there, whether it’s the 9655, 8645, etc. Surprisingly, mine is the 9655 (55 amps).

Jorme · 03-16-2012, 08:10 AM

Here is what I pulled out......

Jorme · 03-18-2012, 10:46 AM

Finally got the new converter ordered this morning......Should be here this week. Along with putting the new converter in, Im also gonna put a battery cutoff in. Cross your fingers that by the end of the week all is good and no more issues.

Jorme · 03-21-2012, 01:22 PM

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!! I know what my project is tonight! New converter just showed up on Fedex.

f6bits · 03-21-2012, 01:31 PM

Which converter did you get?

Jorme · 03-21-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdayman

Which converter did you get?

I only needed the main board assy....The 110 side of my converter is still good. So I just got the replacement.

http://www.bestconverter.com/8955MBA...PEC_p_117.html

Jorme · 03-21-2012, 06:02 PM

Latest update.....new converter is in. Have good charging power to batteries 13.4. Monitor reads full when trailer is plugged into shore power.

Now.....here is where we are. Unplug the trailer, battery monitor reads full, batteries read about 13.1 volts. Turn on a pair of lights, monitor goes to 1/3, and with a meter on the batteries, I can watch the volts drop........Im thinking bad batteries!!!!

f6bits · 03-21-2012, 06:50 PM

Battery Monitor will always read Full when plugged into shore power. And it’s not uncommon for battery voltage to drop when being used. Turn off the lights and the battery voltage should come back up some. How long was your trailer plugged in?

I don’t know an at-home method for testing batteries. Maybe someone here does. I’m sure a good battery shop has ways to test batteries.

Festus2 · 03-21-2012, 07:20 PM

I think your assumption about having bad batteries may be correct. When unplugged and then turning on a couple of lights should not cause the monitor to drop to 1/3. Did the lights dim as well? If you have a hydrometer or volt/ammeter, you can check your batteries' condition with those. Test them under a load. Charge them up the best you can, wait for 15-20 minutes, and test them under a load.
Another consideration is the age of your batteries. I see that you have an '05 RV and if they are the original batteries, it may be time for replacements!

Jorme · 03-21-2012, 07:32 PM

Batteries are brand new, 6v batteries. They have a full charge on them. 6.4 v each, 13.2 when tied. Nevermind for a minute what the trailer monitor does, when I turn on a pair of light, I can physically watch the multi meter drop in voltage. Next test will be to throw 2 new 12v deep cycle in the trailer that I have at the shop. As far as I know , there is no way to "load test" a 6v because there isn't a cranking amp rating.

**JRTJH** · 03-22-2012, 06:37 PM

jorme,

From the timing of your posts yesterday, I'm guessing that you got the converter installed and charged the batteries for a couple of hours before your test in which the voltage started dropping. If that's the case, then you didn't have enough time to fully charge the batteries (even though with no load they read 6VDC each). It will take about 24 hours for your converter to top off the batteries. After that, it should read 13VDC +/_ a little for at least 30 - 45 minutes after turning on 2 or 3 lights. You "might" have bad batteries, but maybe not. If you test with 12 VDC deep cycle batteries and it works, make sure your wiring to the batteries is connected correctly. It's pretty easy to "confuse" the black/red vs black/white and wind up blowing another converter if the fuses don't protect your new investment !!!!!

Keep us posted on what you find

John

ADDED: OOPS I just saw your most recent post about the batteries being fully charged, so, if they really are fully charged, then you "might" have a problem with the 6 VDC batteries. Possibly, only one of them is not holding a charge, but to find out which, you'd best put them on a load tester at an auto store. AUTOZONE will do it for free. Once you know the status of those batteries, you should be in business, either with new 6VDC or 12VDC batteries

Jorme · 03-22-2012, 06:38 PM

ok.....Now I am more confused than ever!!!!!!

Put new converter in, 13.4-13.6v going to the batteries, fan kicks on, all is good. Shore power to the trailer and monitor reads full. Last night, unplugged the trailer, batteries read full, turned on lights, and monitor dropped, and could watch the voltage on the batteries (2x6v) drop. So tonight, took the 2 12v batteries out of my mom and dads trailer, and put those in, both batteries working perfect in their trailer and fully charged. Put them in mine, monitor reads full, turn lights on, and monitor drops!!! UGH! Could watch the voltage on the batteries dropping again. So I put the 6v batts back in, same thing, monitor full, turn lights on, monitor drop. So tonight, I plugged the trailer back in to shore power and hit the monitor, full power. Turned lights on, guess what!!!!!! Monitor drops. Im not sure what to check next????

Jorme · 03-22-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

jorme,

From the timing of your posts yesterday, I'm guessing that you got the converter installed and charged the batteries for a couple of hours before your test in which the voltage started dropping. If that's the case, then you didn't have enough time to fully charge the batteries (even though with no load they read 6VDC each). It will take about 24 hours for your converter to top off the batteries. After that, it should read 13VDC +/_ a little for at least 30 - 45 minutes after turning on 2 or 3 lights. You "might" have bad batteries, but maybe not. If you test with 12 VDC deep cycle batteries and it works, make sure your wiring to the batteries is connected correctly. It's pretty easy to "confuse" the black/red vs black/white and wind up blowing another converter if the fuses don't protect your new investment !!!!!

Keep us posted on what you find

John

ADDED: OOPS I just saw your most recent post about the batteries being fully charged, so, if they really are fully charged, then you "might" have a problem with the 6 VDC batteries. Possibly, only one of them is not holding a charge, but to find out which, you'd best put them on a load tester at an auto store. AUTOZONE will do it for free. Once you know the status of those batteries, you should be in business, either with new 6VDC or 12VDC batteries

I had them on a charger separate from the trailer to make sure they were fully charged.....now I go back to I grabbed 2 perfectly good fully charged batteries out of my mom and dads trailer tonight......12v each. Same result. AND>>>>>>the monitor is dropping with the trailer plugged into shore power??

f6bits · 03-22-2012, 07:11 PM

Time to throw in the towel and check yourself into the loony bin.

While the monitor is dropping (while plugged in), have you been watching your voltmeter also? I admit, having the monitor at anything less than full while plugged in is spooky. If nothing is turned on, how long does your monitor stay at full? Could there be a short somewhere? Have you tested with an ohmmeter between disconnected positive and ground?

If the fan is turning on, there’s a significant load on the converter. The fan came on when you thought your batteries were fully charged?

Jorme · 03-22-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdayman

Time to throw in the towel and check yourself into the loony bin.

While the monitor is dropping (while plugged in), have you been watching your voltmeter also? I admit, having the monitor at anything less than full while plugged in is spooky. If nothing is turned on, how long does your monitor stay at full? Could there be a short somewhere? Have you tested with an ohmmeter between disconnected positive and ground?

If the fan is turning on, there’s a significant load on the converter. The fan came on when you thought your batteries were fully charged?

Couple more tests just performed.....

First off, trailer is now unplugged and will check the monitor in the morning and the battery voltage.

With trailer plugged into shore power.....
1 light on...no fan
2 lights on.....no fan
3 lights on.....fan comes on but surges
4 lights on.....fan comes on full power

With trailer unplugged
1 light on.....no fan
2 same
3 same
4 same
5 same
6 still no fan!!!!

Now that I think about it???? Should the fan come on plugged into shore power? Or are the lights just pulling off the batteries and not putting a load on the converter?

No I have not ohm'd it out.

Just went out and did one more test......with trailer plugged in 13.63v at the batteries with all the lights on volts on batteries do not drop, and monitor in trailer does.

Jorme · 03-23-2012, 12:12 PM

After talking to one of my customers this morning who is an RV mechanic, I am going to test the amp draw on the batteries tonight.....We'll see where we are after that. If i'm not any further than I am now, Im bringing the trailer to my shop and he is coming over to look at it.

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