Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Technical Forums > Repairs and Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 06-28-2009, 07:55 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
pwb01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
pwb01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Charging System Problems

This weekend after the unit was pluged in for a week, my batteries (2) were only partially charged and died the 2nd day. When I got home, the distribution panel (WFCO) seems to be putting out over 12 volts at the battery but the fan is not on. I need a better VOM to read if it's 13.2 or 14.4 and will get one tomorrow. Does it over heat and shut down maybe? Is there a fuse for the fan I'm missing?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
__________________

__________________
Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
pwb01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2009, 10:57 AM   #2
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Hi Paul

Most many newer convertors and I'm "pretty sure" the WFCO has variable speed fans in it as well. They only come on when the heat load in the convertor calls for it and only at a speed needed to cool the unit. I'll have to look up the WFCO unit to be sure.

Point is no fans running may not have anything to do with your battery problem.

Yes you need a better volt meter. With the convertor on:

13.25 volts area is the normal float voltage to keep the battery topped off. Charger should drop to this area once the battery reaches full charge.

13.65 range means it is actually slow charging.

14.4 means it is boost mode and fast charging. Or in some higher end convertors means it is in desulfate mode if your has one.

Now back to the battery issues.

Have you checked the liquid level and is it over all the cells?

How old are the batteries?

Do you know if they where actually at full charge when you went camping?

May be the batteries where never fully charged to begin with due to a fault in the charge line or charger

Or you have a large system drain and somehow drained the batteries down quicker then normal.

A volt meter at the battery will help tell what is charging or what is not when the convertor is on. And if it was at full charge to begin with. once you know the voltage it will help point where to go looking next.

Hope this helps

John
__________________

__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2009, 11:12 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
pwb01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
pwb01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks John,
I'm charging the batteries now from a battery charger and then I'll have them tested. I don't know that they were fully charged, only assumed so (!!!) since I had the power on. I did have a spare that lasted 2 days by itself so I don't think I have a draining condition.

In a couple of days I'll test the batteries and have an accurate voltage reading.
__________________
Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
pwb01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2009, 07:49 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
pwb01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
pwb01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Okay, lesson learned. Both of my batteries were very low on water and last night, both tested with a bad cell probably from charging with low water. That's why the charge only lasted a short time. I had them checked in two different places to be sure.

They're only two years old. Check the water often!

Thanks John
__________________
Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
pwb01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2009, 10:13 AM   #5
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Glad you found something.

Every day we learn somethong new. It's and endless process. And then as time goes by, well...... we re- learn some things we forgot
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Battery Charging ? nickster60 Sunline Travel Trailers 19 09-04-2012 09:16 PM
Solar charging batteries precorguy Modifications 7 05-20-2009 07:05 AM
Battery Re-charging by tow vehicle? roadlou Repairs and Maintenance 8 09-22-2008 06:03 AM
Charging The Trailer Battery wobbly Sunline Community 3 05-04-2007 10:50 AM
batteries not charging off truck? precorguy Sunline Travel Trailers 9 04-25-2007 04:43 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:43 AM.


×