12 volt system

[MikeyG-XRD]

Hey Everyone
New here & wondering if anyone can help me.
I have a 2011 Crossroads Cruiser 5th wheel my Mom in law is using for full time living
I recently was having some issues with my 12 volt system to the point of my furnace not starting, fridge shutting off, lights not working and so on. It seemed that my batteries were not charging and or shot. (I don’t have a good tester to confirm) So I replaced them and everything is now working again. My fear is that my converter may be bad as well and I might have to replace it also but I cannot locate it on the unit. Does anyone know where I could find it and is there a good way to test if it’s working accordingly. Thanks in advance

 

[dagst1]

Look for the converter in the power center where the fuses/breakers are. you will need to take the front panel off. It is held on by 4 screws. The converter is behind it in the lower part under the fuses/breakers.

If not there you then have a deck mount converter that is located elsewhere. They a harder to find as they tend to put them anywhere.

Check in the power center first and if not there let us know and someone will help you locate it.

 

[MikeyG-XRD]

Thank you Dagst1,
I could not find the converter behind the breaker panel and with some further digging I found it in an access panel in the kitchen. At the time I did not have a good multi meter but now I do. Since purchasing the new batteries, a couple days later I noticed that the batteries are not being charged. After testing the output at the converter it was only at 8.4v (same as the battery level) Is that a tell tale sign that the converter is not charging?? I bought one from Amazon (Cyber Monday deal) and am now currently waiting for it to be delivered. Another question I have is because the converter is not charging, Would it be OK to directly hook up a car battery charger to the batteries to keep the fridge running while I wait for the new converter to arrive??
TIA

 

[dagst1]

If the battery voltage was down to 8 then the converter should have been charging around the upper 13 to lower 14 volt range. Just a quick thought --on the front of the converter there are 2 fuses did you check them? They will not let it charge if blown.

Yes to help keep the batteries charged you could use a charger.

 

[MikeyG-XRD]

Yes I did check both fuses and they are good
Thank you again for your help, I was just a little concerned that I might damage something with the car charger.
I will reply once I install the new converter.

 

[DavisK]

Did you disconnect the battery when you tested the converter voltage? If not, you may have been reading the voltage of the battery.

 

[MikeyG-XRD]

I did not and that makes sense why it’s the same number.
I will do that when I get home from work today

 

[Nigel-XRD]

If the battery voltage was down to 8 then the converter should have been charging around the upper 13 to lower 14 volt range. Just a quick thought --on the front of the converter there are 2 fuses did you check them? They will not let it charge if blown.

Yes to help keep the batteries charged you could use a charger.

When my Cruiser is parked at home, I have shore power connected but I also run a trickle charger to my batteries. Never had a problem yet.

 

[MikeyG-XRD]

Thanks Nigel,
I ordered a new Battery Charger as well as a new converter and I will definitely do that.