inverter problems or best guess...need help

[sparkett788]

Problems started 3 weeks ago. Low lights and fridge and hot water heater not firing. Found leaky battery and replaced. Till this morning, totally dead battery. On a trickle charger now and charging. Disconnected from RV. Now be simple because I am 63 yr old woman just using swag method (Scientific Wild Assed Guess). Also hot water and fridge is propane only.......yes, I know this for sure. Particular model Forest River Avenger-14 ft.  Can I replace an inverter by myself? (I checked fuses, circuit breakers inside and on pole), checked battery connections were tight. If I have to call a RV service guy,at least I may know enough to not be ripped off. Can't afford dealerships.  S. S. Only.

 

[sparkett788]

Oops, skipped a sentence.... everything worked fine after battery replacement 3 weeks ago. Till this morning.

 

[frater secessus]

The propane devices do use electricity to run their circuits, possibly ignitors, etc.  

I think you mean converter, if we are talking about charging batteries and running loads from shore power (pedestal power).  I agree that a fried converter could cause both non-charging and failure to disconnect the batteries when they get low.  I will read along after this to see what more informed folks than me have to say.

If it is the converter, I'd watch some youtube videos on your converter replacement on your model of RV and see if it looks doable to you.  Some are in weird places that require unpleasant contortions.  Some are easy to grab.    I am confident you can change out the converter.  If you have to replace it this would be an excellent opportunity to upgrade to a "smart" multistage converter that will treat the batteries much better.

 

[sparkett788]

Ok yes. Same problem before battery change. Thanks for reply. Going to research converter stuff. I'm assuming the converter or anything else electrical would be inside that box with fuses,, breakers etc. Still pretty spry for an old lady. And fairly intelligent. Lol.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Frater covered it well, but how old is the RV, and how old was the original battery?

Have you been hooked up to shore power for an extended time without checking the water levels in the battery?

Or is all of this stuff fairly new?

 

[B and C]

You seem to be very new with RV's and their systems.

New or old makes no difference unless the converter was changed ~3 weeks before the first failure. My guess from the symptoms is that the converter cooked the battery dry and then burned itself up as there was not a battery (that the converter could "see") in the circuit anymore to dampen the current.

The new battery lasted three weeks without a charge? Not a heavy 12V user.

Do you have a multi-meter and know how to use it?

If you have a FLA battery (wet cell where you can add water) the level needs to be checked/replenished monthly. Replenishment should only be with distilled water, nothing else (NOT tap water).

If you can turn a screwdriver and loosen/tighten nuts and bolts, you might be able to change it yourself. The hard part is figuring out what size converter is in there now (AMPS). If this is an older RV the converter was probably one of those single stage units that are known to ruin batteries when plugged into shore power for extended lengths of time (more than a couple of days). I had one of these and changed the converter the first year.

If you are in a campground, there may be a groundskeeper there that could assist you. They have seen just about everything unless they are a green horn. They could also show you how to check the water level and fill it.

If you are going to remain plugged into shore power for extended times, I strongly suggest a multi stage charger. Progressive dynamics is what I put in mine. They are not sub $100 units though.

 

[sparkett788]

Ok, I do believe that is it. Watched a couple You tube video's. How to troubleshoot and replace. Piece of cake! The battery that failed was original from 2013. (Camper sat but charged for a year before I bought it. Was only used once or twice. Still had all stickers! ) From what I've read , the converter caused the battery to boil or fail. Either way, it leaked. Am connected to shore power except when moving. Very little 12volt use. Installed an 18" flouroscent light...(110 volt) either side. Mostly use those instead of camper lights. Battery needed to fire fridge and hot water. This is in a corner and too dark tonight but I'll be pulling it out tomorrow and checking for a fuse inside the converter. And then sure I can replace. Also will check battery . Thank all of you for the help!!! All that panic and I think it's something very simple to replace.

 

[sparkett788]

Also still reading about upgrades and thank you for suggestion. Reading and learning but would have never known where to start without you wonderful people!!! What a relief!

 

[tx2sturgis]

New or old makes no difference unless the converter was changed ~3 weeks before the first failure.  My guess from the symptoms is that the converter cooked the battery dry and then burned itself up as there was not a battery (that the converter could "see") in the circuit anymore to dampen the current.  

This is where I was going with my question about age of the battery, shorepower hookup, and checking water levels. 

RV converters can slowly 'cook' a battery, and if water levels are not replenished, the battery dries out, and becomes a lead anchor, providing nothing for the converter to 'filter' thru.

 

[sparkett788]

Sorry one last question I did not answer. Yes I had checked battery water recently...say within a couple months. I can afford a new one. Have a small emergency fund. Won't go too cheap.nor too crazy expensive. I said small emergency fund. Lol. Now need more reading and I'll check numbers on unit before I head out. (Amperage, model number, etc).

 

[sparkett788]

I am in North Florida. Doesn't mean that battery had enough water. It's hot here lately. And battery was old. Cheap original converter.

 

[B and C]

Since you are hooked up to shore power basically all the time, if you get a good multi-stage charger you could put a really small 12V AGM battery in there and not have to worry about checking water.