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Thread: generator not charging batteries
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05-23-2022, 02:50 PM #1
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generator not charging batteries
Went out this weekend on our 1st maiden boondocking trip and the batteries ran down
I ran the onboard generator for a good couple hours and it did not charge the batteries (12 v oem equipped interstate batteries)
I ended up plugging into the truck (ran it) and recharged the batteries enough to get me through the night without my fridge showing an error message
Am I doing something wrong or is the converter bad? (all breakers are on and the 40 amp fuses are good)
I would like to eliminate all possibilities before taking it in to the dealer ( their lead times are really bad right now)
thanks in advance
Dan
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05-23-2022, 03:02 PM #2
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How many batteries? What was the S(tate) O(f) C(harge)? What all were you running? What was the SOC before you left? What kind of refrigerator?
More information about what you own, what you pull with, and what appliances you're trying to run will help diagnose your problem.Howard and Peggy
2019 Momentum 351M, and 2018 RAM Cummins dually 6-speed.
His: 1999 Honda Interceptor
Hers: 2013 Spyder ST-S
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05-23-2022, 03:17 PM #3
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Stephen and Judy
2022 Reflection 150 Series 260RD (Stella)
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD (Blue)
Traded - 2018 Forest River Rockwood Minilite 2104S
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05-23-2022, 04:15 PM #4
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thank you for the replies
I have a 2022 25G Momentum toyhauler
2) 12 volt batteries (interstate deep cycle )OEM
it has an onan 4400 onboard generator
Solitude Solar System (300w Solar Panel, Controller, 1000w Inverter)
norcold 2 door fridge ( Model # N8DCSSL 12 volt only )
the batteries were fully charged when we set up (they charge fine off the truck alternator (2022 CHev 2500 HD)
We set up late Friday night
we used 12 volt system for interior and exterior lights, water pump and fridge.
the battery disconnects were on /the inverter was off
we were fine Friday night ( I wasn't monitoring battery voltage as I didn't suspect a problem)
I started the generator in the morning to make coffee and use the microwave. Ran about an hour or so. about 8:00 AM for 120 it works fine
By about 3 pm my wife noticed a beeping from the fridge and a E3 code.
I started up the generator and ran for about 2 hours but still had low batteries so I plugged into the truck with the 7 way connector and let the truck run for about a half hour
Immediately on truck start up the E3 code on the fridge went away...
I started looking closely and found all breakers to be on (generator too) and all fuses good
Continued to charge with the truck to get the batteries up enough give us little interior light ( I turned off the fridge for the night)
This was only a 1 day trip - I am going boondocking for 4 days over the 4th of July and hope I can get it all working by then.
Am I correct that the generator and solar (though the converter) charge the batteries? I suspect the converter is bad. Is there a method of testing it for output? If so, do I disconnect the batteries and test voltage in and out of the converter... If so, what voltage should it put out?
I hope this info helps... feel free to ask more if needed.Last edited by danlwil; 05-23-2022 at 04:18 PM.
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05-23-2022, 04:19 PM #5
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With a multimeter at the batteries, disconnect from shore power and run the generator. See if a charging voltage of near 14 volts is present. If possible open the solar charge to the batteries.
Randy and Kris
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05-23-2022, 05:32 PM #6
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how do open the solar power?
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05-23-2022, 05:41 PM #7
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Is the solar power wired just to the inverter? And lead acid batteries take a while to recharge, a couple hours of running the generator won't do the trick. Probably 5 or 6 hours might do it. You need a reliable way to keep track of your 12V usage and battery charging.
Howard and Peggy
2019 Momentum 351M, and 2018 RAM Cummins dually 6-speed.
His: 1999 Honda Interceptor
Hers: 2013 Spyder ST-S
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05-23-2022, 06:07 PM #82021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
Two bathrooms, no waiting 155 fresh, 104 black, 104 grey 1860 watts solar.
800AH BattleBorn Batteries No campgrounds 100% boondocking
2020 Silverado High Country 3500 dually crewcab Duramax Allison
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05-23-2022, 06:12 PM #9
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suggestions on tracking the 12 usage?
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05-23-2022, 06:17 PM #10
A full charge will take a long time,,,, But he was able to limp along by plugging into his TV.
My money is on a converter problem.
OP: Is this the first time you camped in it?
A real common mistake when hooking up converter wires is to reverse the polarity. (yes even dealerships have done it) It is so common that there are fuses built into the converter that blow when this happens. Check them to see. If they are blown, correct the wiring, replace the fuses and go camping.
On edit: It is possible that it was reversed intially by the battery installer, caused a spark and the installer then corrected the wiring, thinking he got away with it. So your wiring MAY be correct now....The reason this happens so often is that the black wire is negative in the automobile world, BUT it is POSITIVE in towable RVs.Last edited by huntindog; 05-23-2022 at 07:02 PM.
2021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
Two bathrooms, no waiting 155 fresh, 104 black, 104 grey 1860 watts solar.
800AH BattleBorn Batteries No campgrounds 100% boondocking
2020 Silverado High Country 3500 dually crewcab Duramax Allison
best strategie on keeping unit...
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