"Dead" Batteries

[c21]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Answer: Yes - it's OK to leave your rig plugged into shore power with the Magnum Inverter/Charger.

Answer: Yes disconnecting the batteries using the switch you have will prevent charging the batteries. Leave the disconnect switch ON and just turn OFF stuff like TV booster, LP Valve, refrigerator and all lights. Why did your 20A circuit trip the breaker? You need to know what happened if you intend to rely on it when storing your rig.

Answer: Leave the disconnect switch ON and just turn OFF the stuff like TV booster, LP Valve, refrigerator and all lights.

Answer: Your 100 watt solar panel may not be up to the task if the sun doesn't shine bright. Just store it plugged in and make sure you have a reliable 120VAC circuit.
Answer: Keep inverter function on Magnum turned OFF. The battery charger function is automatic when you plug in, if disconnect is ON.
Answer: It could be a problem as the chassis battery should stay charged when plugged in. Of course that assumes you have the Disconnect ON.
Good idea to get a full 30A circuit. Do you know why the 20A circuit you are currently using tripped the breaker?

Hi Mike, on my 14 AI I leave the battery disconnect turned off while in my carport and plugged in to shore power and the Magnum keeps the batteries topped off. This is different than your above explanation to the poster.
Bill

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by ArcherTC

Thanks Boxster 1971 for the detailed response.
A few last items --

• Shore power: it's failed twice, first time we had a power blip here so I blamed that. More recently I put a small space heater in the RV (probably don't really need it). I plugged it into an outlet not served by the inverter but on the same circuit. I wonder if the load from the heater plus the inverter/charger exceeded the 20A circuit.

Thanks all for helping this newbie!

Sounds like what you think is a 120VAC, 20A circuit may actually be a 15A circuit, which are the normal 120VAC circuits used most often. A 20A is an upgraded circuit that is less common.

A 1500 watt space heater draws 12-13A, that combined with the Magnum battery charger would likely trip a 15A circuit breaker.

Lew answered your other questions. But if you didn't know where the LP switch was, maybe it was on?

Good luck!


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[73shark]

You can check the wire gauge for verifying circuit capacity. 12ga=20 amp and 14ga=15 amp

If this breaker has unexplainablely tripped several times, it could be getting weak and needs to be replaced.

[M and R]

I have a 2016 AI GT. Yesterday while at the dealer for other repairs, it was on shore power. All ac power was lost. The solenoid was replaced. It need to cool for 15 minutes for me to hold it to take the picture.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by 73shark

You can check the wire gauge for verifying circuit capacity. 12ga=20 amp and 14ga=15 amp

If this breaker has unexplainablely tripped several times, it could be getting weak and needs to be replaced.

... or just go to breaker box and read the rating on the circuit breaker in question.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[FlyFishinRVr]

Originally Posted by ArcherTC

Thanks Boxster 1971 for the detailed response.
A few last items --

• Shore power: it's failed twice, first time we had a power blip here so I blamed that. More recently I put a small space heater in the RV (probably don't really need it). I plugged it into an outlet not served by the inverter but on the same circuit. I wonder if the load from the heater plus the inverter/charger exceeded the 20A circuit.

• To leave the disconnect ON and turn off the inverter, do I use the power button on the inverter?

• Where do I turn off the LP valve?

Thanks all for helping this newbie!

@ArcherTC - by default the inverter is off, even when the house power is on. If you have turned it on via the remote in the cabinet, just push Off and you are set.

@Boxster - yes, on my rig with house power off the solar still charges the batts. As you saw, the solar controller output goes straight to the power bus bar, so it's always hot as long as there is sun and the controller is enabled.

When parked at the storage lot, my house power is off, fridge off, tv antenna off, and propane off. The solar is keeping my house batts at 12.8V and chassis at 12.5V. If I had another 100W+ of solar and a real 3 phase controller, I'm confident my chassis batt would also be at 12.8V and there would be at least some hours of float time. There is no shore power there, and unfortunately at my stick and brick house I have no way to plug in overnight..... [emoji53]

[ArcherTC]

Curious: what does the 10kA notation mean?

[lewster]

That usually designates the 'circuit interrupt capacity' which means that the breaker will accept a 10,000 amp transient load without damage.

It's not unusual to see loads like this for several milliseconds when a dead short occurs in a circuit.

Some other circuit protection devices like the class T fuses that should be used for inverter circuits have circuit interrupt capacities up to 20,000 amps transient.


Lew Farber

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by ArcherTC

Attachment 275060

Curious: what does the 10kA notation mean?

That breaker has a "TEST" button. It is a GFI device. Might explain your problem. Was it wet when the breaker tripped.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[c21]

I noticed a couple posters on this thread mentioned that the battery disconnect switch had to be turned on in order to charge the batteries from shore power. My experience has been that the batteries charge from the Magnum weather the disconnect in on or off. In fact the manual mentions that the batteries will charge with the disconnect off. What am I missing here?
Thanks,
Bill

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

That breaker has a "TEST" button. It is a GFI device. Might explain your problem. Was it wet when the breaker tripped.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

My shore power outlet at home was also on a GFCI and sometimes it would trip for no apparent reason. Sometimes it would trip if I had the inverter turned on when I plugged it in. Thought about replacing the breaker but sold the RV instead.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by c21bill

I noticed a couple posters on this thread mentioned that the battery disconnect switch had to be turned on in order to charge the batteries from shore power. My experience has been that the batteries charge from the Magnum weather the disconnect in on or off. In fact the manual mentions that the batteries will charge with the disconnect off. What am I missing here?
Thanks,
Bill

Since Airstream added the SB164 solenoid cutoff as part of the disconnect in about 2015 the Magnum inverter/charger is disconnected from then batteries when the battery disconnect switch is turned OFF. Thus no charging.

This is not true in older Interstates unless you had SB164 installed.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[c21]

Thanks for that Mike. I had an appointment to have the SB164 Installed but thought better of it and cancelled my appointment.

[M and R]

Originally Posted by M and R

I have a 2016 AI GT. Yesterday while at the dealer for other repairs, it was on shore power. All ac power was lost. The solenoid was replaced. It need to cool for 15 minutes for me to hold it to take the picture. Attachment 275045

I asked the mechanic who replaced the solenoid if it was the one in SB 164, he did not know what I was talking about. The solenoid was located right behind the rotating switch under the left jump seat. Is this solenoid the one installed with the SB?

[ArcherTC]

" That breaker has a "TEST" button. It is a GFI device. Might explain your problem. Was it wet when the breaker tripped.

- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter "

---------------------------

Hi Mike -- might have rained but everything is under shelter. I'm inclined to think it was the space heater and inverter/converter. If it trips again I'll replace it if I don't get the 30A service done first.

Thanks again for your input!
David

[amirm]

Originally Posted by M and R

I asked the mechanic who replaced the solenoid if it was the one in SB 164, he did not know what I was talking about. The solenoid was located right behind the rotating switch under the left jump seat. Is this solenoid the one installed with the SB?

What you are showing is indeed the SB 164 solenoid. Like you, before I bought my AI I asked my salesman if it had the SB 164 fix in it and he did not know what I was asking until I mentioned "solenoid" and he said yes.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by M and R

I asked the mechanic who replaced the solenoid if it was the one in SB 164, he did not know what I was talking about. The solenoid was located right behind the rotating switch under the left jump seat. Is this solenoid the one installed with the SB?

SB164 was a Service Bulletin for Interstates already in service with customers. Once it is incorporated in production the term SB164 becomes meaningless and is now just part of the disconnect circuit. Clip attached from 2017 Interstate Owners manual 12V DC main schematic with solenoid circled in red.

[bob323]

OK, re my new 2017 AI for which I've had no battery issues thus far, I'm assuming that to charge the batteries when parked for a week or two:
1) turn battery disconnect switch/House Power OFF (which also switches off Magnum Inverter),
2) plug into shore power (30A),
3) don't worry, be happy!
Correct?

Reason I ask is that with my previously owned 2009 Roadtrek Adventurous RS, the procedure was specifically:
1) turn batter disconnect switch ON (required), and
2) plug into 30A shore power
Roadtrek also pointed out that a) the disconnect switch had to be ON BEFORE plugging into shore power for charging to take effect, and b) the Trek should not be plugged into shore power for extended periods of time - maybe limit to an overnight charge - to avoid possible house battery damage (which I never understood given the on-board battery protection electronics).

Thx.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by bob323

OK, re my new 2017 AI for which I've had no battery issues thus far, I'm assuming that to charge the batteries when parked for a week or two:
1) turn battery disconnect switch/House Power OFF (which also switches off Magnum Inverter),
2) plug into shore power (30A),
3) don't worry, be happy!
Correct? ......

Thx.

Not correct. Since you have A 2017 you must leave the House Power ON in order to get the batteries charged from the Magnum inverter/charger. You turn the inverter function OFF at the Magnum remote control panel. The charger function is on automatically when you plug into 120VAC external power. The Magnum is designed to be left on for extended time - it will not over charge your batteries.

Your 2009 Roadtrek probably had something like the Trip-Lite unit once used by Airstream. It could not be left on as it would over charge the batteries.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[FlyFishinRVr]

For what it's worth, on my '17 when I turn house power on (flip switch by sliding door so red light comes on), my inverter is off by default, so there's no need to go to the remote and turn it off.