semopetvet
jackson mo
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Hi, I am confused about when the house battery is the source of power to something when the rv is hooked up to 120v electric power.
the problem is that when my rv is hooked up to power for 2 weeks (so my visiting kids can use it), the house battery eventually goes dead. I'm trying to figure out what is draining it - would the lp gas monitor still be powered by the house battery even tho hooked up to 120v power. what else could be a drain?
thanks for any help. chuck
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Sounds like it isn't getting charged while plugged in. The 120 volt system comes on easily when you plug into the campground's hookups. Most RVs will automatically recharge the house batteries whenever you're plugged into shore power. The "converter" will automatically transform some of the 120 volt power to 12 volt electricity so you can run all your DC appliances.
Maybe it's time for a new battery of at least try cleaning the terminals.
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dalton4
Anchorage, AK
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Yes to detectors still running off of 12 volt system. When plugged into 120 volt (AC)this will power the 120 system and the converter will charge the 12 battery/batteries. I would first do a voltage check to see if the converter is charging the batteries. IF not, check the fuses on converter. It may be as simple to correct as replacing a fuse.
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RodT82721
Pine Haven, Wyoming
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Lots of variables, depends on design. But in my Minnie, shore power runs the converter, which is capable of up to 45 AMPS at 12 VDC and also supplies the 120 VAC.
The coach batteries are connected to the 12 VDC buss (charger) thru a relay that is controlled by a rocker switch. If the relay is NOT energized, then the batteries are disconnected from the coach 12 VDC buss and depending on their condition, will self discharge over time. While everything using 12 VDC is operating as long as shore power is applied. The first indication of a weak coach battery is the Gen Set wont start, it requires the coach battery to start.
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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When you are plugged in to shore power, or your generator is running, the built-in converter / charger supplies 12 volt power for the lights, etc., and also recharges the coach battery. You should see at least 13.2 volts across the battery terminals when plugged in, and up to 14.5 volts when it's actively charging the battery.
The parasite loads on the 12 volt system include the LPG detector, the refrigerator control panel and interior light, and some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Further, if you're plugged in but the converter isn't charging as it should, any use of 12 volt lights, fans, etc. will be a drain on the battery.
Casey
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rjmiv
Broomfield, CO
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My bet is that your converter is shot. Check the breaker and fuse - If they are OK your converter is probably bad.
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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rjmiv wrote:My bet is that your converter is shot. Check the breaker and fuse - If they are OK your converter is probably bad.
This is possible, though a switch or connection problem is more likely. A way to test it is to disable the battery, with a disconnect switch or by disconnecting a cable, then see if the cabin lights work when plugged in to shore power. If the converter doesn't work as a converter, it won't work as a charger either.
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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With a DC volt meter check the voltage at the battery both when hooked to 120 volt and not hooked. Should be about 1.5 volts higher when hooked to 120 volt power.
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semopetvet
jackson mo
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Hope someone is still monitoring this section. I've been offline for a week.
I unhooked the negative cable from the battery, left the rv plugged into shore power and the 12 volt lights still worked - so does this mean the converter is ok? as far as I can tell the fuses are ok.
I checked the battery c a voltmeter and it read somewhere between 11-12 volts both when not hooked up to shore power and when hooked up to shore power. ( the engine battery read 12 volts). I put a trickle battery charger on the house battery and within 1 minute it read fully charged. the fluid level is ok.
I tried to use the house battery to start the generator and it would not (Note: when I do this the LP detector starts beeping until I reset it - don't know what this means). when I push the button to tap into the engine battery, the generator starts easily.
Does this mean that most likely the house battery is bad?? I plan on taking it to Autozone to have it tested tomorrow.
thanks again for the advice. chuck
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NH_Snowbirds
Port St. Lucie, FL
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We had the same problem. One other thing I noticed was that the Carbon Monoxide detector did not work either. I reviewed the wiring diagram for our rig and found that the detector was wired in series with the charging system. I pulled the detector and found that the previous owner had disconnected one leg of the 120vac which also effectively disconnected the charging connection. I reconnected the detector and had no other problems after that.
I'm guessing this isn't your problem, but it is food-for-thought.
Cheers,
Jeff
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