Sidewinder

Maybe this is a stupid question but - what is a converter? Is this something outside of the generator itself? If so where would I find it?

CarlJensen

The convertor is located in the coach and takes 120AC and coverts it to 12vdc for use by 12vdc lights, etc. They have an internal trickle charge system for the RV batteries. This charger is usually pretty lame and does not work too well. I allways use a seperate battery charger and have a blade switch on my batteries so I can disconnect them when sitting in a park with power or at home. Some trickle chargers will overcharge and destroy the batteries.

FiverBob

Carl, do yourself a favor and go buy a new multiple voltage converter, sometimes called "smart chargers". These monitor the condition of the battery, will charge when low at a fairly high rate, then back the voltage down (and charging current) as the battery charges to the point they are strictly maintenance voltage. You can leave the rig plugged in all the time and it will not overcharge the batteries. It will extend the life on your batteries and in so doing save the price of the converter in several battery change outs. I use an inverter that is also a smart charger - - love it. It is definitely not lame - - it can charge at rates up to 100 amps pending the size of the battery bank. If further monitors the temperature of the batteries and adjusts the charging current so that is does not harm the batteries if they are getting too hot.
Bob

Sidewinder

Thanks!!

Next time we are out I will try to find this "converter" thingy. I found some pictures online so at least I now know what they look like.

DVANN

I don't have a generator, but the inverter on my TT has blown the fuse a couple times which doesn't allow the 120 shore power to charge the onboard batteries. Quick fix if that's it.

Busboy

I think that would be the first place to look..

Sgt. Peper

On my unit, when you unplug your power form 110 at home, you have to plug the same plug into one on the electrical box on the RV. If I do not do this, I won't get any 110 power to RV when the generator is on. Also, there is a fuse right the converter you might want to check.

Falcon1

Ding ding ding we have a winner. There is a a place to plug in the power coard usally near where the power cord is located that comes from the generator. You have to plug in the power coard to that to get power from the generator if you don't no power from the gen set.

CarlJensen

Thanks Fiver Bob. I will check these out. All ways glad to spend scarce extra money on something that really works!!

Sidewinder

UPDATE !!

I found the converter you guys were talking about (under one of the seats) and it works great. If I measure the voltage at the DC output connections on the converter with the generator off I get about 12.2 V. If I start the generator it goes up to 13.6 V.

So the problem is somewhere between the converter and the battery. I assume there must be a relay, diode, isolater or bad connection somewhere in there causing the problems. I should be able to figure that one out on my own!

Thanks for the help !!