Battery not charging by converter or generator

[Paul M.]

Not sure I am doing this correctly. Trying to work on the fly as we are scheduled to leave in the morning. I have a question: My 2018 Thor Ace on board batteries are absolutely dead when I disconnected shore power. These are new deep cycle batteries of a few months ago. My guess is the onboard converter is not functioning. How do I check it to see if it is providing output voltage?

[DavidEM]

If the lights, fans, etc. come on then the converter is working as these devices are 12V powered and the only way is from the converter or the batteries.

Likely your use/store switch typically to the side of the entry steps is off which disconnects the batteries.

David

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by pstandiford

I did verify this on the walkthrough. This is right next to the step switch and the inverter control. It is called, I believe, the master switch and is illuminated red when turned on.

The master power switch's red light only indicates there is power on the 12 volt buss in the Power Center. It does not indicate the position of the latching relay. To check the position of the relay, you must take 120 volt power off the converter (circuit breaker) and see if the interior lights still work. If you can not find the CB, then unplug shore power and turn off the generator and see if the interior lights still work. If you have an inverter, you can just look at the battery voltage. If it is above 13.0 volts your latching relay (positioned by the master power switch or the use/store switch) is correctly positioned to charge the batteries and power the 12 volt buss in the Power Center.

Nothing beats a hand held voltmeter when doing any sort of electrical work

[Paul M.]

Originally Posted by Paul M.

Not sure I am doing this correctly. Trying to work on the fly as we are scheduled to leave in the morning. I have a question: My 2018 Thor Ace on board batteries are absolutely dead when I disconnected shore power. These are new deep cycle batteries of a few months ago. My guess is the onboard converter is not functioning. How do I check it to see if it is providing output voltage?

Again, not sure I am responding correctly. Thank you for the feedback. Updated conditions: Unplug shore power no onboard power, lights, etc. All circuit breakers and what I can see for fuses look to be operational. Checked voltage out of 55 amp converter and NO voltage and the cooling fan is not running. Appears to be a bad converter??

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Paul M.

Again, not sure I am responding correctly. Thank you for the feedback. Updated conditions: Unplug shore power no onboard power, lights, etc. All circuit breakers and what I can see for fuses look to be operational. Checked voltage out of 55 amp converter and NO voltage and the cooling fan is not running. Appears to be a bad converter??

But do you have lights, etc with SP plugged in?
The converter fan only runs under heavy load.
Have you reset the breaker for the 120 VAC input to the converter?

[nmcmilla]

Originally Posted by Paul M.

Again, not sure I am responding correctly. Thank you for the feedback. Updated conditions: Unplug shore power no onboard power, lights, etc. All circuit breakers and what I can see for fuses look to be operational. Checked voltage out of 55 amp converter and NO voltage and the cooling fan is not running. Appears to be a bad converter??

I don't see you mentioning checking your Use/Store switch (seperate from fuses, in mine to the left in the footwell). Even while on shore power, if the switch is set to "store" no charging of house batteries occurs (and batteries drain from parasitic draws). You will need to set to "use" and leave on shore power to get house batteries operational (or drive for awhile but alternator charging is not as efficient).