Faster Charge?

Fearless1 · August 12, 2016, 08:02 PM

6.5 GenSet seems slooow in charging 2 almost necoach batteries. Batteries at 12.22 volts, started GenSet and when it kicked in, jumped to 12.34 and slooowly started climbing 12.35, 12.36, 12.37.....after about 1/2 hr. or so up to 12.71. Cut it off and voltage dropped quickly down to 12.46 then slowly continued dropping to 12.26. Is that normal? i?? Would hooking up a 6 amp. battery charger to 120AC from GenSet charge coach batteries faster? Would it be counter productive? i??

Rickf1985 · August 12, 2016, 08:12 PM

This all depends on what charger you have built into the RV. If you have a more modern charger like a Boondocker then it will charge faster but what you describe is not all that bad depending on how many batteries you are charging. As far as dropping down to 12.26 I am sure you have something in there drawing power. A half hour charge is not going to recharge a battery to a point where it is going to hold it. It takes a couple hours for that to happen.

Fearless1 · August 13, 2016, 09:57 AM

Any ID where the built-in charger might be? Looked high and low, can't seem to locate it. Have two 100 AH Gel batteries. Had that in original post, but it got edited out. i??

Rickf1985 · August 13, 2016, 10:03 AM

I am not familiar with the Tiffans but it is usually where the AC power comes in. It will be part of the converter in most applications although on my Winnebago I have a separate charger mounted way up in the front with the batteries and the rest of the electrics are in the back. I believe they only did that on a few of the larger Winnebagos though.

Rickf1985 · August 13, 2016, 10:09 AM

Check out this article from our very own Dave the electrical specialist. It may help you to picture and find it.

http://dave78chieftain.com/ConverterInfo.html

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 15, 2016, 06:13 PM

Sounds like the converter is not seeing 110VAC from the generator or the converter is dead therefore, the only charge voltage present is the small 1.5 amp generator charge voltage. Find your house AC and DC fuse box and the converter should be close to it.

Fearless1 · August 16, 2016, 12:59 PM

No Shore AC. Does current go from generator to converter before going to charge batteries?

legomybago · August 16, 2016, 01:36 PM

Quote from: Fearless1 on August 16, 2016, 12:59 PM
No Shore AC. Does current go from generator to converter before going to charge batteries?

YES, Your converter has the battery charging circuit (should anyway).

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 16, 2016, 06:23 PM

Not sure if an Allegro has a transfer switch or not.
If it does, then it should automatically change over to the generator when the generator is started.
If not, then you have to plug the shore power cable into a generator output receptacle that is normally in the same compartment as the shore power cable.

Fearless1 · August 16, 2016, 07:52 PM

There isn't a receptacle in the area of shore power cable. Would transfer switch be in/on converter? AC & DC panels are in an overhead cabinet. I'll take it apart tomorrow and see if converter is there, too hot right now, Heat Index 108 degrees today.

Rickf1985 · August 16, 2016, 08:10 PM

Everything "should" be pretty accessible without too much taking apart. Note I said "Should". Seems every single coach is different, even same models of same years sometimes.

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 16, 2016, 08:21 PM

I will send a message to Tina to see if she can come online and help locate your electrical items and explain how your rig is most likely set up. She has either the same rig as yours or one very close.

Message sent

Fearless1 · August 17, 2016, 08:57 AM

Thanks Dave, that would be great.

legomybago · August 17, 2016, 09:44 AM

This is what I have in my 1986 Komfort P30. It has the automatic transfer switch built in. Does your 12v distribution panel look anything like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parallax-8345ABP15-8300-Series-45-Amp-DC-Converter-Charger-/191709355811?hash=item2ca2c49f23

Fearless1 · August 17, 2016, 01:09 PM

Opened up cabinet, nothing but wood shavings and dust. Located a junction box on wall under bed. Shore power cord goes in and two heavy gauge Romex cables come out and go into wall; then probably up the wall to the Distribution Panel in the overhead cabinet. Can't look inside junction box, door hits fresh water tank. Quality Craftsmanship Aye?

Checked out the link for that DP, doesn't look anything like mine. Tried to send pics, but they're too large. Any way to compress them to send?

legomybago · August 17, 2016, 01:29 PM

Max attachment pic size is 250kb. Resize your pics on whatever devise your using. Save as a pdf or jpeg then attach it. Give that a shot

Fearless1 · August 17, 2016, 02:34 PM

Changed the saving mode. Here is the Distribution Panel and the Junction Box.

legomybago · August 17, 2016, 04:45 PM

I've never seen one like that. Is there a model #? Maybe someone will recognize it and have some info.

legomybago · August 17, 2016, 04:47 PM

You need to pull those panel covers off and start tracing power...maybe there are schematics behind the covers

Rickf1985 · August 17, 2016, 07:16 PM

Pull the cover with the 12 volt fuses on the right. The fact that there are 12 volt fuses means the converter is probably nearby and most likely behind that panel.

Fearless1 · August 17, 2016, 07:25 PM

That Distribution Panel is an "Allegro Custom" _ just 3 breaker/fuse boxes. No schematics, no converter. I had previously pulled the whole Panel unit to look behind it - no converter.

Rickf1985 · August 17, 2016, 08:06 PM

You are going to have to pull those four Phillips screws and see if it is behind there. Be sure to turn off the power first. You did check where the power cord comes in right? It would not normally be there but just asking. I have never seen anything like what you have there.

Fearless1 · August 17, 2016, 08:37 PM

Yes, I've checked where the Shore Power Cord comes in - no converter. I had previously pulled that whole panel (those 4 square slot screws) - no converter behind it. I'll pull it again tomorrow to see if it is attached to the panel. I only pulled it out far enough to see the cabinet area behind it because didn't want to stretch out the wires - easier replacing unit.

Rickf1985 · August 17, 2016, 08:43 PM

The converter will not be small, the size of a shoebox almost so if you did not see that then it is probably not there. I know Tina checks the forums very early in the morning so if Dave sent her a message she may get on here in the morning.

Rickf1985 · August 17, 2016, 08:45 PM

My converter is under the floor behind the passenger seat up front, there is a heating grate above it to let the heat out. Where are your house batteries? Look around that area for anything like a charger with both AC and DC wiring. My main panel is under the bed in the back.