Batteries

[Railroadman]

I have 2014 Tuscany xte 40
While plugged in does the inverter charge the coach batteries
I don’t believe it does but can not find an answer in any of my paperwork

[Bob Denman]

If it's plugged in, and the "Use/Store" switch is set to "Use": the coach batteries will get charged.
Although I'm not sure if the inverter is what's doing it for you...

[thor293]

The inverter does not charge. The inverter provides 120v to your coach off of the batteries, now you may have a charger/inverter but these are 2 completely different items. While plugged in the charger will take care of your batteries, if all you have is a converter it is essentially your charger and provider of 12v power for your coach, it gets that from being plugged into 120v. Hence it converts 120ac to 12v dc. to charger batteries. Sounds confusing but just think of the names, invert goes 12v dc to 120ac.

So to confuse you more, you could charge from your inverter but what would really be happening is you are running your charger from your inverter to convert back to 12v. Its a perpetual cycle that wont last. The inverter is always using power to run itself and you will be on a downhill slide.

[Bob Denman]

It sure confused ME some more...

[thor293]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It sure confused ME some more...

LOL yes. Let me rephrase

All rv's come with a converter, its job is to charge the batteries and provide 12v dc to coach for lights and such.

Some rv's have inverters installed, if it is inverter only its purpose is to create 120v ac from your batteries so you could run appliances say like a tv or a regular house fridge, it will run the batteries down though eventually.

Some rv's have installed as an option a Charger/inverter. This is 2 units in one, when plugged into shore power it will charge your batteries and also provide 12 v dc for the coach, when you unplug from shore and turn on the inverter part you are back to using batteries to make AC voltage. (in this case the factory converter is basically useless because the charger/inverter is providing the power for the coach.) I completely disconnected my converter since I do use a charger/inverter.

[ACEroad]

An easy to keep it straight is to remember that an inverter converts 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC. And the only 12 volt source is the batteries.

[thor293]

Originally Posted by ACEroad

An easy to keep it straight is to remember that an inverter converts 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC. And the only 12 volt source is the batteries.

It actually Inverts 12 volts to AC hence the name. Convert goes AC to dc just to be technical

[Bob Denman]

Let me take a stab at this beast of a concept...
The converter will charge your batteries from shore power, or from your generator...
and the inverter provides 120 volt AC power from your batteries: to various features in your rig....

How's that?

[thor293]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Let me take a stab at this beast of a concept...
The converter will charge your batteries from shore power, or from your generator...
and the inverter provides 120 volt AC power from your batteries: to various features in your rig....

How's that?

great job Bob!

[Railroadman]

Originally Posted by Railroadman

I have 2014 Tuscany xte 40
While plugged in does the inverter charge the coach batteries
I don’t believe it does but can not find an answer in any of my paperwork

I do have a converter/inverter I know it charges the house batteries, but does also charge the coach (starting batteries)

[thor293]

Originally Posted by Railroadman

I do have a converter/inverter I know it charges the house batteries, but does also charge the coach (starting batteries)

OH, when you said coach batteries I always think what you consider house. I am going to retract my statement that it does charge the start batteries, you probably have a solenoid switch to engage the house batteries to assist the start batteries.
Only way to really know is measure the voltage at the start batteries and compare to the house batteries. If it is charging them they will be the same voltage.

[ComputerChips]

Most* Motorhomes will charge all batteries when on shore power or generator power or engine running. There are several different scenarios of equipment and lots of different problems have been conquered to achieve success. Many folks have had mis-wired setups from the factory.
Do some checking with a meter to see the voltage levels before and after plugging in or running the genny or the engine. Some units have a wait time before charging begins, so give it a minute before taking a reading.

[TurnerFam]

Inverters don't charge, Chargers do(IF it's turned on)

when you are plugged in, yes
when you are on generator, yes
when you are driving(yes, via the alternator, directly to the batteries)

when running on the inverter alone, certainly not

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by thor293

great job Bob!

It takes a simple mind: to cut through all of the crap of a complicated concept!