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Old 08-04-2018, 07:48 AM   #1
nsdtr3
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Help:Electrical/battery charging issues

We have a 2017 Keystone Montana 3720RL and on our first trip. Our RV has Go Power Solar panels 2 x 160W and a propane 6500 Cummins generator with a 2800 magnum inverter/charger. The first inverter charger was from go-power but the batteries lost charge or weren't charging so they replaced with the magnum. (told us the generator wasn't compatible with the go-power software). When we left for our trip the batteries were too low for us to use the jacks so we used jumper cables to add power the batteries and get the generator to turn on....okay we get going to our camping site 4 hours away. Hook up the 30 amp service and all seems okay, BUT a few hours later we hear a beeping sound from the go-power panel. Decide to unplug the 30 amp power cord since batteries should be charged up. Wake up this morning and low battery power :-( Plugged back into the 30 amp service. Pictures are of our panels...... Not sure what to do except not happy with the installation of these products....Accepting suggestions from you experienced RV'ers. Thanks in advance from a newbie who's going to figure this out while on our 2 week vacation. We have 4 x 6 volt house batteries....
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Old 08-04-2018, 08:45 AM   #2
jcurtis934
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Don't have solar, but no way that a few hours on 30 amp shore power is going to charge 4 6vdc batteries. Your panel pictures show you plugged into shore power and solar panels feeding batteries on first and third picture, but also showing no current reflected on the third picture. People will want to know if this is a new to you rv and hence first time you are trying to figure this out OR if it is a new problem. Is there distilled water in the batteries? No way batteries would use that much battery power overnight, if really charged and no real draw unless you are trying to run furnace, use high power devices on battery power only. Some solar people should reply.
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Old 08-04-2018, 09:48 AM   #3
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When you are on shore power, the batts. will be charged by the converter, built in to the distribution centre. There should be a transfer switch somewhere, either built in to the magnum inverter or on its own . it defers to shore power when plugged in to the post. The solar panels , I believe are constantly charging at a rate set by the solar controller, dependant of course on the sun exposure available. It almost sounds to me that there is a significant drain on the batts. If I were in a camp ground for 2 weeks, I would remain on shore power and wait to get home to my tools and meters to track down the problem.
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Old 08-04-2018, 10:40 AM   #4
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Thank you

I talked with my sister / friend who is in California abd familiar with RV'S and along with the helpful responses we figured out some possible problems. First off we are new to operation of RV electrical systems.

Turns out we were plugged into shore power and inverter was on. Refrigerator was on electric but likely not using shore power but battery power. Leaving this campground in Washington and headed to our next stop St Regis Montana - Nugget RV. Will continue to check on our power consumption and update this thread.

Thanks again for the helpful response. John and Marie
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Old 08-04-2018, 11:03 AM   #5
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With what you discribe happening to your batteries you need to pull them out and have them checked by someone like an auto parts store who is qualified to check them. Running batteries down to almost nothing will ruin them even if they are new.
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Old 08-04-2018, 04:40 PM   #6
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John,

Welcome to the forum!

It appears the charger in your Magnum I/C is working as the last screen shows 100 amps. You should have no issue running your reefer on electric while hooked up to 30 amp shore power unless you are running air conditioning at the same time. If you are running air conditioning and reefer on electric there is limited power left to run the charger. If I remember right the Magnum is one of those I/Cs that will augment your ac power off the battery when your demand exceeds what you are getting from shore power. With 30 amp service recommend you keep your water heater and reefer on gas for best results if you are using air conditioning.

Also appears your solar was not producing any power when you took that picture - were your panels in good sun then?

You may not have anything wrong other than not managing power well. Agree on checking your batteries if they were run way down. You need a good battery isolation switch so your batteries don't run down when the unit is stored.
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Old 08-04-2018, 10:48 PM   #7
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Thanks for the info. As we isolate each problem another discovery. The AC wasn't on but our fantastic fan was and tonight we found if the fab us turned off the beeping stops. Something isn't wired correctly. Not taking it back to that dealer. Likely how to Camping World and see if they can check the wiring.
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Old 08-05-2018, 01:48 AM   #8
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First thing you need to do is find the breaker for your converter and turn it off. You don't need it because you have the Magnum 2800. It will put out 125 amps to charge your batteries. If you have AGM batteries they will take it but if you have flood acid batteries it will smoke them. If you have flood acid batteries you have to look and see what the charge rate they will handle and set your Magnum 2800 to that level. With the converter on and you are in the inverter mode it will drain you batteries. That is because the inverter is driving the converter to charge the batteries and you have a loop system going on that will take more out of your batteries than you are putting into them. I am not sure your 2800 has been set up properly. With it showing 100 bulk charge and your power light and charger light should be on showing green. They may not have used the transfer switch in the Magnum 2800. You have a transfer switch for the generator that switches between pole power and the generator. You have another one in the 2800 that can be hooked up or by passed.
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Old 08-05-2018, 07:09 AM   #9
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That's helpful thank you. We didn't get much instruction on using the magnum and the setup. They basically said OK you're all set. It'll charge your 4 house batteries and if you aren't hooked up to shore power you'll need to run the generator in order to use the air conditioning.
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Old 08-05-2018, 08:06 AM   #10
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You can use the inverter control panel to the charging amount and also how much it draws off the AC post by limiting the shore power to 5A max (will give you ~50-60A charge). You change it via the shore button and then turning the dial until 5A shows and pushing the dial to select that. Here is a link tot he control panel manual:


https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/si...ev-D-ME-RC.pdf


Also here is a link to the inverter in case you don't have that either.


http://www.magnum-dimensions.com/sit...-MS-Manual.pdf


I agree with Mudchief about shutting off the converter as the charger on the inverter is much better and efficient than that. I flipped mine off when I installed my solar a couple years ago, taped over it, and it hasn't been on since.
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Old 08-05-2018, 08:16 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by nsdtr3 View Post
That's helpful thank you. We didn't get much instruction on using the magnum and the setup. They basically said OK you're all set. It'll charge your 4 house batteries and if you aren't hooked up to shore power you'll need to run the generator in order to use the air conditioning.
Translation: Beats me how this dang this works. Now get on out out here I have your money.
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Old 08-19-2018, 01:57 PM   #12
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You have far to many questions. Find someone with EXTENSIVE understanding of these systems. Get your immediate issues solved or postponed and then sit with this person and learn about all of the electrical equipment and how that equipment interfaces with you and your rig. Some basic understanding of 12 v and 120 v systems will be very helpful. Then get the manuals for each component and read and UNDERSTAND them. We all had to learn these things, for some like myself being and electrician and electronic technician it came easier, for some it is understandably mind boggeling. I wish you the best.
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Old 08-19-2018, 02:16 PM   #13
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My question is if the inverter starts charging the batteries with 14.4 or so volts will the converter in the coach read this as the batteries are fully charged and then not charge or vice versa if the converter starts charging will the inverter read the 14v and then not charge? Not sure how the solar charger handles the voltage when either the inverter or converter is charging the batteries.
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Old 08-19-2018, 03:15 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Oldharley View Post
My question is if the inverter starts charging the batteries with 14.4 or so volts will the converter in the coach read this as the batteries are fully charged and then not charge or vice versa if the converter starts charging will the inverter read the 14v and then not charge? Not sure how the solar charger handles the voltage when either the inverter or converter is charging the batteries.
Typically the converter is disconnected when an inverter/charger is installed. When you have shore power and charging the batteries via the charger, the charger normally takes priority.
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:20 PM   #15
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Should not be of concern. You most likely have one or the other, an inverter/converter or a converter. If you have both one or the other we take the lead. Having solar pannels is great. They work when you are in direct sunlight and away from shore power and not getting charge from another source such as your tow vehicle or a generator.
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Old 08-19-2018, 06:40 PM   #16
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Thank-you. I'll check out those links. We are back from our trip and have an appointment to have the electrical system checked out (not by the trailer store we purchased the trailer and accessories ☹️. Thx again ��
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