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Old 06-06-2016, 09:47 AM   #1
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Alternator replaced, now house batteries aren't getting charged!

2007 Journey 36SG. Cumins 300 Turbo.
Had to have the Alternator replaced.
(When I started the Engine for a Trip, I had to get assist from the hose batteries as the Coach batteries were DEAD.
after getting underway I tried to ignore noise from engine area, wrong move.
Had to have Good Sam Road Side Assistance send a repair vehicle, and they did a splendid job replacing the bad Alternator where I was stopped.

Now the House batteries don't get charged while on Shore Power.
My fridge says Low DC.

HELP!
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Old 06-06-2016, 10:22 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n9bk View Post
2007 Journey 36SG. Cumins 300 Turbo.
Had to have the Alternator replaced.
(When I started the Engine for a Trip, I had to get assist from the hose batteries as the Coach batteries were DEAD.
after getting underway I tried to ignore noise from engine area, wrong move.
Had to have Good Sam Road Side Assistance send a repair vehicle, and they did a splendid job replacing the bad Alternator where I was stopped.

Now the House batteries don't get charged while on Shore Power.
My fridge says Low DC.

HELP!
the installer liklely neglected to connect the charging cable. the new alternator DOES have a connection for a charging cable, right?
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Old 06-06-2016, 10:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n9bk View Post
2007 Journey 36SG. Cumins 300 Turbo.
Had to have the Alternator replaced.
(When I started the Engine for a Trip, I had to get assist from the hose batteries as the Coach batteries were DEAD.
after getting underway I tried to ignore noise from engine area, wrong move.
Had to have Good Sam Road Side Assistance send a repair vehicle, and they did a splendid job replacing the bad Alternator where I was stopped.

Now the House batteries don't get charged while on Shore Power.
My fridge says Low DC.

HELP!
"House batteries don't get charged on Shore Power". Do the House and Chassis batteries get charged when driving?

When on shore power, with the engine off, the alternator is not in the picture at all.
Your problem as you describe it is with the converter or coach charging system. I am not familiar with the system used on your coach but the place to start is by checking the 12V output of the converter when plugged in to shore power.
Voltmeter and basic electrical knowledge is essential to diagnose this issue.
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Old 06-06-2016, 04:05 PM   #4
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Had a RV Mechanic drop by and diagnosed as a bad 115 to 12 volt section of the Inverter/Charger.
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Old 06-06-2016, 04:17 PM   #5
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Now the House batteries don't get charged while on Shore Power.

Like Dennis says above, your alternator has nothing to do with shore power operations. If your a bit handy with a volt ohm meter, I'd do a simple test. With the engine OFF, test both your HOUSE (not "hose) batteries and, your chassis batteries too. Note the readings.

Then, start the engine and do the same tests, note readings and compare. If both sets of batteries climb in voltage AFTER the engine has started and is idling, then your alternator and, related components for charging both sets are in working order.

Now, do the same tests only, with the engine off AND, NOT PLUGGED INTO SHORE POWER. Note the readings. Then, PLUG into shore power and, note the readings and compare. If both sets of batteries climb in voltage, all is good. But, if only one set, mainly the HOUSE batteries don't climb in voltage, HOUSTON, we have a problem.

Most diesel coaches are normally equipped with what's called an "Inverter/Charger". It's normally an all-in-one unit. It can be a Xantrex, Magnum, Dimensions, and/or other brands. Many have a step-down battery charging system built in. That is, when your house batteries are low and you plug into shore power, the charger side of that inverter will kick into high gear and put out a substantial amount of current (amps) to get those batteries back up to what they're supposed to be.

Then, as things start to level off, the charger goes into a mid-range mode, on mine it's called the "Absorbsion" phase. When that stage of charging is completed, it simmers down to what's called "Float" charging which, is simply maintaining the house batteries at or near, 1-3 amps, depending on what's being drawn off of them while parked.

So, if your house batteries are NOT being charged by the Inverter/charger (presuming you have one of those), then somehow, it's coincidental that you lost that part of house battery charging off of shore power, at the same time your alternator went out. Like Dennis says, TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
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Old 06-06-2016, 05:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n9bk View Post
Had a RV Mechanic drop by and diagnosed as a bad 115 to 12 volt section of the Inverter/Charger.
Sounds logical, nothing that a handful of $100 bills won't cure.
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Old 06-22-2016, 08:32 PM   #7
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Sounds logical, nothing that a handful of $100 bills won't cure.
Let's start at the beginning, and maybe it will make sense to someone!

I had dash Air Problems, and took the 2007 JOURNEY 36sg to an Auto Air-conditioning Specialist.

A hired hand must have used the 2 lights above the Bed for a work light and neglected to turn off the lights - for how long - I have no idea, but probably several days. (This was unknown to me until I got home to plug it into a 30 AMP SHORE POWER.)

Anyway there were the 4 batteries were completely discharged: Requiring a jump start to leave the Air Conditioning Shop.

A week later going on a weekend camping trip I required a Jump Start. (HINT)
On the way I broke down - dash blinking on / off, gages saying any and everything possible!!! NUTS!!! and called Good Sam Road Side Assistance.
They replaced a burnt up Alternator. (Burned up by charging 4 completely discharged batteries.)
(Less than a year old)
After I got at the campground I discovered slowly that the Inverter/converter was also bad, as the Low DC would come on on the refrigerator, and battery voltage would drop below 10 volts. (Inverter/converter Blown up by the dead batteries when I first got home from the A/C place by plugging into the 30a shore power at home - that's why I need a jump start.)

After that was replaced, and another weekend on the road, the new Inverter/Converter also seems to be bad. ? ? ?

This is going to be looked maybe tomorrow.
Also I notice (Important? /or just a coincidence ??) that the Levels for Black/gray/propane etc... all display full scale while on shore power or Generator power, but indicate properly on 12 volts... (Maybe bad ground??)

I have contacted the Shop that caused all the problems and they turned it to their Insurance for coverage, but I most likely am not done with the fixing yet. May need another converter/inverter and or replace batteries???

Anyone been there besides me??
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Old 06-23-2016, 11:16 AM   #8
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I fixed the erroneous level reading while on 115vac.
All I did was remove the 6 screws holding the panel to the wall and reseated the Molex Connector after giving a good cleaning with a contact cleaner.
Alslo, I noticed quite a strain on the cables from below, so I pulled them up a few inches and installed a plastic tie-wrapp to releive the strain on the connectors.
Hopefily no more problems with the level indicators.
Now on to the inverter/converter problems.
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Old 06-30-2016, 02:50 PM   #9
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Located charger under the Fridge.

Mine was caused by an A/C shop that used my over head 12v. lamps over the bed for lights while working the on A/C in the Bed Room. They left the lights on and ran down all 4 batteries.
I got a jump start and this caused my alternator to burn it self out and the shore power Converter (battery charger) as well when I got home and plugged into 115vac 30A. (4 completely discharged batteries is almost a direct short, and needs to be slowly charged with a constant current type of charger till they have enough of a charge to be safely charged with Alternator or built in charger.)

Finally after many miss leads and working on the wrong thing.
(The Converter/inverter) is just a inverter to generate 115v. from 12v.
(it never had the optional battery charger)
You can see where this can cause confusion.

Now I have located the battery charger under the Fridge.

How do I get access to it without removing the Fridge?
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Old 06-30-2016, 07:37 PM   #10
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Sorry I can't help with your converter access but it sounds like you are getting an RV 101 experience alright. Been there Done that, couldn't afford the T Shirt after but sure enjoyed the ride.....
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