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Waterman View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Batteries not charging?
    Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:29am
Batteries are not charging when being towed or when on shore power. Have 2 6v golf carts. Entertainment system is not drawing power. Jensen radio DVD player. Not concerned about that,just a fact. Refer works on all 3 power sources.
I'm thinking its the inverter. How do I test or replace?

On the road. Current location Ogden Utah, headed south to St George. Any place to pick one up? Or get it repaired?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestion's.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:35am


The converter would not be a factor while towing - only when plugged into shore power. Are you driving with the fridge on 12 volts? If so, there may not be enough "juice" to do that AND charge the batteries.

Need clarification on the Jensen.....is it not working or just turned off?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:52am
You may have a bad converter/charger.  There are several threads on the topic.  Check them out for some helpful information.  Also check the two reverse current fuses in your power panel.  They are off by themselves to the left over by the AC breakers.  WFCO has a diagnostic check list that is very helpful in determining whether your converter/charger is bad.  You can find replacements on Amazon and they're pretty easy to install yourself, if you understand the basics of a 12v system.  People have arguments about whether one brand is better than another.  The thing you want to make sure about is that the new one will fit the power distribution box.

We just replaced a 9 year old WFCO charger with a new one of the same brand.  I followed the advice of one member and put in a little cushioning of foam rubber below the unit to dampen vibrations.  So far, it's working fine.  It has a 2 year warranty.  Others on the board say WFCO is of poor quality and prefer another brand, the name of which I don't recall at the moment, but I don't think there has been any objective studies proving one better than the other; just anecdotal experiences.  Some people say Fords are better, while others like Dodges.  Me, I like a good tequila,
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:53am
I did have the refer on the second lowest setting. Will turn it off when we get back on the road.
The Jensen. Not sure what is going on there. Had the dealer repair the DVD player last fall. It lights up when there was power last fall. Had everything turned off in storage, except for a dehumidifier on a extension cord. Did not light up this spring. I seem to recall that I could not turn it off, which led me to install a battery cutoff switch.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:53am
When towing the source for charge is the TV. On shore power source for charge is the converter. So both charge sources are not working? I think I would look at batteries. One of the reasons I am not a 2-6V battery fan, one battery fails you're SOL. However the fridge can't work on 1 6V battery. Most RV places with a service department could help you, not to many sources for on the road converter repair/replace other than RV places.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:02am
Waterman, here is a helpful diagnostic flow chart that may help.  It's pretty easy to follow the steps.  On the WFCO site they have a flow chart for each of their converter series.  This one is for the 8700 series.  http://wfcoelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/New-Flow-Chart-for-WF-8700-Series.pdf
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:06am
Blew 2 40 amp fuses. Not sure why. Discovered that I don't have any extra.
Have to admit that I'm new to rv'ing.
We have a 2016 180 which we love. This is our first long distance road trip.
Thanks everyone for the quick responses and suggestions.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:11am
At least they are easy to get. They blow again, you might want to look at batteries.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:22am
Waterman,

ALSO, the fact you said TV is not charging - you may want to look at tow vehicle charge fuse in your TV, it is probably 40A also. Mine is in the under hood fusebox on both my tow vehicles.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:24am
Motor sports land in SLC is the local r pod dealer. There is also a camping world about 10 miles south in Draper.  Good luck.
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