A question regarding charging house batteries

[JWatkins]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JWatkins:
I have a 2004 Adventurer 37B. I checked to see that the inverter was on and it was.
Joe </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You inverter has nothing to do with charging.

Your converter charges your coach batteries when plugged into shore power or the generator is running.

-Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks, Tom, as I stated in my first post, I was running the gen and didn't see any charge rate at the panel. That's what made me start this little voyage of discovery! I didn't see the charge rate reflected when the engine was running either. I don't have a means to plug it in to shore power, so I am unsure of that.

Since you have my pic labeled so nicely, and there is some question about the solar input, is that fuse (it's orange in color) on top left of the relay battery disconnect likely to be the solar input?
Thanks, Joe

[JWatkins]

OK, I had the motor running and had 14+ volts on all terminals of the solenoid. Killed the motor and started the gen. Voltage was 13 or less.
It doesn't appear that I am getting any charging from the gen. That would mean some issue may exist from the inverter? How can that be checked?
Joe

[Tom N]

[John Hilley]

It's unclear whether you have a combination inverter/converter/charger or a separate inverter and a converter/charger. The easiest way to see if there is any charging from whatever is doing the charging, is to unplug the AC side while monitoring the voltage at the battery terminals. Usually it is easy to find where the charging device is plugged in by following the cord. If the battery is fully charged, depending on the charging device, 13 volts DC might be charging.

[JWatkins]

There is a plug going into the side of my converter/charger. It also has an off/on switch on the unit. If I turn it off or unplug, that should tell me?
Joe

[DonavonP]

Your inverter is located in the cabinet above the front passenger seat. That is not what charges your batteries.

Your converter (battery charger) is located on the floor straight down from your stove top. Remove the bottom drawer and you'll see the silver (galvanized) box with a power cord leading to a receptacle. See if you have power at that receptacle while you have the Onan generator running.

[JWatkins]

Thanks, Donovan. I didn't know that even existed (coach is new to me). I will check that out today.
If I have power at that point, is there a way to check the output?
Joe

[John Hilley]

There are + and - terminals on the converter with rather large cables terminated in them. You should be able to measure the voltage output by using your test probes on the set screws that hold the cable in.

[DonavonP]

Joe, Here's what I would do. Start the generator (as I understand this is your only source of 120 volt current). Prove that you have power at the receptacle next to your Parallax 7455 convert. If you have power, plug in the converter and you should be able to feel or hear it hum. If it's working, your overhead lights should brighten a little and your battery charge at your control center should read in the upper 13 volts (about 13.7 volts or so). I think we will find that the converter is not charging so the next thing I would do is replace the two green 30 amp 12 volt fuses on the the converter. When you're looking at the converter, you'll see them sticking out the right side of the converter. They look a little like this but they're green and say 30 on them.

Now if you don't have power at the converter plug. Check the circuit breakers by the entry steps. If they're ok, check the circuit breakers on the generator itself.

[JWatkins]

Thanks John and Donovan. I went out and tested the plug and it was dead. I went to the gen and it had one breaker on and one off. Turned on the one that was off and I now have battery charging.
To say the least this has been a voyage of discovery! I really appreciate everyone's patience.

Tom N I downloaded the schematics and even though I don't read them very well, I was able to see what you showed.

Thanks again everyone!
Joe

[John Hilley]

Congratulations. I've been an electrician for 40 years, specializing in control and low voltage and I still have to think a lot of things out.

[DonavonP]