The Dimensions Remote Display will give you all the relevant information you need. However, I assume this is why the OP thinks his charger has failed?
If my Remote Display showed no charge it would also illuminate a red LED to signal a problem.
Keep in mind the charger will only work when you have shore power or the generator working.
Remember, L1 power (120V) out of the Main Power Panel is fed to the Dimensions Inverter internal transfer switch; and when it does not sense 120V-in then the Inverter is supposed to automatically turn on and produce 120V out of your 12V battery bank; and then it sends this power to the 30A Sub-Power Panel (where you will see 20A & 15A circuit breakers).
The charger is a separate board inside the Dimensions inverter, but it still requires 120V shore power or 120V generator power for the inverter section to operate.
If my Dimensions Charger failed I would do the following:
* Check your power panel for 13.2+V, which would tell you if you are getting a charge; and then back that up with a multi-meter reading at the battery bank.
* Find your battery temp sensor... at the inverter end... and un-clip the 2 wires (red and black). These wires lead to a thermal resistor that connects to the NEGATIVE battery terminal; and it is used as a safety "off" switch so you don't melt you batteries by over charging them. And if this thermal sensor fails or more likely breaks a wire at the eye-ring on the battery end, then that could be your problem.
I just replaced my Battery Temp Sensor (BTS) and I ohm'd the new sensor at 16.5K ohms. Note: Room temp is 22K ohms; and the sensor drops the ohm rating as it heats up. Anyway, that's TMI. You can get this part from Sensata-Dimensions. (Part # #611622-15, where 15 is the feet you need.)
What you need to do is to verify your red and black wires to the sensor have resistance.
Next you want to verify your red & black wires to the inverter show 4.5V? ...And if not then will either know your sensor needs to be replaced or you might have a dead charger board inside your working Dimensions Inverter.
* From all I have heard, the charger board will fail before the inverter, but I think it would be an easy upgrade to:
A) Buy a 45A Converter-Charger (I like the Progressive Dynamics Wizard Charger) and then you just mount it in your inverter bay... and power it by plugging into the engine block heater if you have one; or you can connect it to your transfer switch output, but I would prefer to have a hot line protected by a circuit breaker. So if you do not have a 120V wall socket in your inverter bay, you might consider adding one.
OR...
B) Buy the Victron Smart Blue Charger (IP-67) with 25A and just mount it inside your bedroom (or near your battery bank)... and plug it into a wall socket where you can just "pull the power" when you want to turn it off... like when you drive so your inverter is not powering the external charger.
I choose the Victron IP67-17A, because my Dimensions Charger is working just fine and I did not want to FAST CHARGE my house batteries. So I use the Victron now as my main battery charger; and I just turn the Dimension Charger "off" at the Remote Panel. ...but should I ever need a fast charge, then I will turn it on.
I like the Victron Bluetooth App too, but I really bought it for it's advanced battery charging algorithms.
Amazon $133:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Note: The Victron charger makes no noise, but it gets warm. So I used 4 plastic spacers between the charger and the wood cabinet.... then I ran the wires behind the drawers and into the battery bay through a solar power duct I installed years ago. It was a simple installation and I think I now have a better battery charger that MAY lead to longer house battery life. TBD.
Note: The Victron 25A charger is more expensive, but maybe worth while if your Inverter Charger crapped out.
* Truth is: My 420A Battery bank is only good for 225AH if you follow the 50% rule of recharging your batteries at this point.
* So all I really need is a charger that can charge 225AH in a reasonable amount of time. And with a 17A charger it will only take 13.2 hours to fully recharge my battery bank... in theory.
* In actuality, it will take 20hrs to complete a 50% SOC charge cycle and that's never a problem for me since I always stay more than 1 day when I have shore power available.
* Therefore, I use to think buying a 100A charger was the best way to go, but I have since learned the best way to charge a bank of batteries is to use a new technology charger... and to charge it slowly! ...NOT FAST!
* The faster you charge your house batteries the more likely you will only reach 90% SOC... or less over time.
Linear Mode
