Batteries Not Charging

[Johndews]

Reading the latest posts this morning reminds me of the line from the old Alanis Morrissette song, Ironic -, “advice I didn’t take.” CW gave us an appointment when they really didn’t have a slot, which we appreciated.

After about 2 hours, my Service Advisor came up for me. He told me my convertor was intermittent, but they would have to order the part. Continued with, “I have had news.” Imagining the convertor might have damaged other electrical components, I arrived at our unit to see the evidence of their porter having backed a motorhome into the front street side, damaging both rock shields. I was assured they had looked behind the panels with a light and confirmed no damage, but insisted we pull them back. A large crease in the front curved panel was obvious.

They couldn’t have been more apologetic or accommodating, accepting responsibility for the repair. Yes, we are taking the convertor and the repair to JC. It’ll extend our trip several days but the unit is usable and we are confident will be repaired to like new. So I really can’t help with a report on CW’s service department.

[OTRA15]

Ugh!

Glad the damage was not worse.

So sorry for your troubles!

Peter

[JMynes]

Originally Posted by Johndews

So I really can’t help with a report on CW’s service department.

Actually, you just did.

[hdrider]

I am looking for an owners manual for my 1973 soverian trailer.
anybody got a copy they can spare?

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum! If you look at the Sovereign forum, and the sub-forum for 1970 to 1973:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f27/
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f186/

. . . you will see some recent posts about locating a manual.

So that we don't hijack this thread, you could reply to one of the posts in the Sovereign forums about locating a manual. You will see some posts about how to find one at airstream.com.

For instance: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f210...al-134259.html

Also, the new search function above in the blue box works great, so enter "Sovereign manual" and there will be a few posts to check out.

Good luck,

Peter

[Julie-Bob]

Bob I have a 2009 Classic and after one battery exploded I changed out the AS single stage converter to a multi stage converter I check battery’s ever three months before the change out I was adding water each time now very rare do I add water.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Julie-Bob

Bob I have a 2009 Classic and after one battery exploded I changed out the AS single stage converter to a multi stage converter I check battery’s ever three months before the change out I was adding water each time now very rare do I add water.

Hi

In a "cell short" failure, the initial water level may have very little to do with what happens. You can keep the cells topped off and still short out a cell. Once the cell shorts, it's a good bet that you will dry out the battery.

Bob

[Michael_TW]

I have an interesting situation (2016 25' flying cloud, 2 6V in series):
Batteries have been dying from using "store" mode, recently upgraded to 4 stage converter (4655VL PD 4655VL 55 Amp Converter Upgrade), checked voltages at battery were good when battery disconnected. Batteries charge fine on separate battery charger but did not charge in "use" mode when plugged in for a month or while camping.

Our Battery voltage sensor in cabin have always been off by at least a volt compared to multi-meter at battery terminals suggesting some sort of bad wiring to have a 10% voltage drop. With batteries connected battery terminals read battery voltages not converter voltages, even though voltage measured at converter in the interior is correct according specification (eg. 14.4V but at battery)

Our use/store switch was acting funny and seemed like it was not engaging/disengaging properly, I am thinking that there is something funky going on with the wiring/switch itself. Not sure where to start, we've been through about 4 sets of batteries. The next thing I will be adding a mechanical battery disconnect in the battery compartment, but if I can't get the batteries to charge on AC then I don't know what the F's going on.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Michael_TW

I have an interesting situation (2016 25' flying cloud, 2 6V in series):
Batteries have been dying from using "store" mode, recently upgraded to 4 stage converter (4655VL PD 4655VL 55 Amp Converter Upgrade), checked voltages at battery were good when battery disconnected. Batteries charge fine on separate battery charger but did not charge in "use" mode when plugged in for a month or while camping.

Our Battery voltage sensor in cabin have always been off by at least a volt compared to multi-meter at battery terminals suggesting some sort of bad wiring to have a 10% voltage drop. With batteries connected battery terminals read battery voltages not converter voltages, even though voltage measured at converter in the interior is correct according specification (eg. 14.4V but at battery)

Our use/store switch was acting funny and seemed like it was not engaging/disengaging properly, I am thinking that there is something funky going on with the wiring/switch itself. Not sure where to start, we've been through about 4 sets of batteries. The next thing I will be adding a mechanical battery disconnect in the battery compartment, but if I can't get the batteries to charge on AC then I don't know what the F's going on.

Hi

Since this is a trailer that's been around for a while, I'm going to assume that the batteries did charge fine at one time. If this is a "new to you" trailer and you don't *know* that they charged ok in the past, there are wiring goof's on the use/store board that could explain what's happening.

First thing to check is if the converter / charger is working or not. They do indeed die / the fuses blow / breakers trip. Your multimeter on the output of the converter should tell you if it is functional. Cycle the AC power and see if the DC output goes up when the AC is on.

Next step is to go from there, following the wiring shown in the owners manual, and see what is going on. The converter should go to the use/ store board. There should be a cable from there to the DC bus in the front of the trailer (with thermal breakers on it). There then is a cable from the DC bus to the battery. Ground follows along with hot over the same route.

As you go along you check both the hot and the ground. Voltage on the hot should be close to what you see at the converter. Ground voltage to a point on the frame (not always easy to get to) should be near zero. In both cases a tenth of a volt is no big deal. A volt is something to dig into.

Lots of fun.

Bob