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Glamper1 · 01-14-2015, 09:13 PM

Hi
Whats a fast way of being assured that the shore power is reaching my systems?
Came home and noticed a "low battery fault" message or something like that on the rear lounge area panel.

Its plugged into shore power so I thought that was odd.

I have the tank warmer on

Should I keep the house connect switch near the side door on?

Thanks

The less I use the rig
The faster I seem to forget the drill

Glamper1 · 01-14-2015, 09:36 PM

I may have hooked up the shore power WHILE the house battery was on
Not sure if that was a good move

Protagonist · 01-14-2015, 09:56 PM

Just hooking up shore power is no guarantee that your batteries are charging.

You also have to make sure the inverter/charger is turned on and in "charge" mode.

Truthfully, this is a new one for me, so I'm just speculating here… I know that the inverter/charger should be able to charge the house batteries regardless of the position of the 12vDC disconnect switch.

However, in order for the inverter/charger to invert, the 120vAC circuit breakers have to be turned on. Presumably in order for the inverter/charger to charge, the 120vAC circuit breakers also have to be turned on to make sure the inverter is getting power. Lewster would know that answer better than I would.

Oh, and you need to make sure the breakers at the service pedestal are turned on and not tripped. It is possible to forget to turn them on after plugging in. Also, if the service pedestal breakers were already turned on when you plugged in, they may have tripped and need to be reset.

UKDUDE · 01-14-2015, 10:03 PM

What are you plugged into? If it's a standard household socket at home (since you say you're at home) then wake up the the Precision Circuits display by hitting the button, and all the lights should come on: should be 30A or 20A, plus the 4 system lights on the right. 20A should be set if it's a household socket.
If all lights are on, then apart from Protag's suggestions, I wonder if you have a charging problem

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Glamper1 · 01-14-2015, 10:14 PM

All lights at circuit display are off
Ill put the house battery connection switch and inverter on and see what happens
Yes its hooked to regular house outlet thanks

Glamper1 · 01-14-2015, 10:45 PM

My unit must have issues
Ill take Harvey in soon

Boxster1971 · 01-15-2015, 09:05 AM

The inverter does not need to be on. When you are plugged in do you have other indications like the microwave display or the TVs on? Make sure you have power inside your Interstate.

UKDUDE · 01-15-2015, 09:50 AM

An obvious question: have you verified there's power at the socket? It may have tripped a breaker in the house.

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Protagonist · 01-15-2015, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

The inverter does not need to be on.

I beg to differ. The inverter/charger needs to be on in order to charge the house batteries from shore power. It will be in "charge" mode, not "invert" mode, but it must be on.

xrvr · 01-15-2015, 11:07 AM

Check house breaker. 120 volts? I hope. Jim

Glamper1 · 01-15-2015, 11:13 AM

Thanks Jim ill check

Boxster1971 · 01-15-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I beg to differ. The inverter/charger needs to be on in order to charge the house batteries from shore power. It will be in "charge" mode, not "invert" mode, but it must be on.

Not if it is a Magnum inverter/charger, which I assume they have since it is a new Interstate. For the Magnum you just have to be plugged in to get battery charging.

paiceman · 01-15-2015, 12:58 PM

Battery disconnect switch may have to be on, when traveling I turn it on and leave it on. Batteries will not charge if plugged into shore power if the battery disconnect switch is in the OFF position. The batteries will charge if the switch is off and one is using AS Factory installed solar panels. As advised I'd check house breakers and just for kicks AS breakers as well.

Mjgman · 01-15-2015, 01:03 PM

My inverter does not need to be on to charge the batteries when plugged into shore power..

Protagonist · 01-15-2015, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjgman

My inverter does not need to be on to charge the batteries when plugged into shore power..

Then please explain to me what converts your 120vAC shore power to 12vDC that can charge the batteries, if not the inverter/charger?

If you have a Magnum it's not that you have to turn it on, rather it's on all the time because your "off" switch is inaccessible.

Protagonist · 01-15-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paiceman

Battery disconnect switch may have to be on, when traveling I turn it on and leave it on. Batteries will not charge if plugged into shore power if the battery disconnect switch is in the OFF position.

Not true for the Interstates we're discussing. The inverter/charger is wired parallel to the disconnect, so the disconnect does not control the inverter/charger.

73shark · 01-15-2015, 02:16 PM

Plus if the AI is outside, the solar panel should keep the batteries charged if there is no or minimal load on them.

I know when I plug mine in to the outlet (GFI) in the garage, it will usually trip the GFI if the inverter is on.

Ron_CA · 01-15-2015, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Then please explain to me what converts your 120vAC shore power to 12vDC that can charge the batteries, if not the inverter/charger?

If you have a Magnum it's not that you have to turn it on, rather it's on all the time because your "off" switch is inaccessible.

The inverter is NOT on all the time, if it were, then my TVs would also work without turning it on. Inverter is turned on at the overhead control panel but the charging system is supposed to work automatically when plugged in.

If the OP is only getting 15-20 Amps, it may not be enough to charge any of his batteries through his magnum.

Protagonist · 01-15-2015, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron_CA

The inverter is NOT on all the time, if it were, then my TVs would also work without turning it on. Inverter is turned on at the overhead control panel but the charging system is supposed to work automatically when plugged in.

The inverter/charger is all one device, not two separate ones. It is not in "inverter" mode all the time, otherwise it would never charge the batteries. At any given time, it can invert or charge, but not both at once.

So you're right in that respect. You do not have to turn on the inverter. The inverter/charger as a single device is already on, and switches automatically to charger mode when it detects shore power or generator power, so you could say the inverter is off. But the device as a whole, the inverter/charger as a single unit, is indeed turned on, because your remote control panel only has two positions, invert and charge, no off position in between— unless they changed that recently. The only off switch is on the device itself, under your sofa. And unlike my Tripplite, the Magnum switch isn't on the front of the box where you can reach it.

Either I'm not using the right words to make you understand what I'm trying to say, or I'm mistaking what you're trying to say.

Boxster1971 · 01-15-2015, 02:46 PM

The Magnum has max 12V charging current of 50 amps. Even at max battery charging the 120V AC would be well under a standard 15-20 Amp circuit. Ground fault could be causing a trip. I've had problems with that from my garage outlets when it's raining.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter