Power Issue

[Jayco 264bh]

We purchased a 2013 Jayco 264BH this year and fits our family perfectly. However, we’ve run into a power issue where the battery won’t hold power for a full two day trip. We’re going to campgrounds where we have at least 30amp service and plugging in. The lights and awning and power tongue jack all work fine when we first arrive but around mid morning the second day, lights are extremely dim, power awning won’t retract, etc. We still have a/c and power through the outlets bc we’re plugged in but all the items running on battery are struggling. Our solution has been to put a battery charger on the battery for the remainder of the trip and that makes everything functional again but something is not right. For the record, this is the second brand new battery on it since this spring. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[RetiredOne]

Sounds like your converter isn't charging the battery. First, check to see if all fuses are good and breakers haven't popped.


Second, get a digital voltmeter and take readings at the battery, first with the rig unplugged from shore power, then plugged in. The voltage at the battery should jump up when plugged in. A fully charged battery should be at least 12.6 volts.

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Jayco 264bh

We purchased a 2013 Jayco 264BH this year and fits our family perfectly. However, we’ve run into a power issue where the battery won’t hold power for a full two day trip. We’re going to campgrounds where we have at least 30amp service and plugging in. The lights and awning and power tongue jack all work fine when we first arrive but around mid morning the second day, lights are extremely dim, power awning won’t retract, etc. We still have a/c and power through the outlets bc we’re plugged in but all the items running on battery are struggling. Our solution has been to put a battery charger on the battery for the remainder of the trip and that makes everything functional again but something is not right. For the record, this is the second brand new battery on it since this spring. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Check for 120 volts in and 14 volts out of the converter. It is on a 15 amp 120 volt circuit breaker. It should be charging the battery when plugged into shore power. Check the 2 "Reverse Polarity" fuses on the converter.

[Jayco 264bh]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Sounds like your converter isn't charging the battery. First, check to see if all fuses are good and breakers haven't popped.


Second, get a digital voltmeter and take readings at the battery, first with the rig unplugged from shore power, then plugged in. The voltage at the battery should jump up when plugged in. A fully charged battery should be at least 12.6 volts.

Do I need to be connected to 30 amp service to do this or can I be connected to a standard 120v at home? We do not have 30 amp service at home.

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by Jayco 264bh

Do I need to be connected to 30 amp service to do this or can I be connected to a standard 120v at home? We do not have 30 amp service at home.

You don't need to be plugged into 30 amp service to do this. Plug in at home and do the checks with a volt meter as reference above.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Jayco 264bh

Do I need to be connected to 30 amp service to do this or can I be connected to a standard 120v at home? We do not have 30 amp service at home.

Either will energize the converter. Also check Your battery connections.

[sturgissteele]

Is the battery water level okay? (If it's that type.) Add distilled water, if needed. Also, the batteries are not happy at being ran all the way down, especially a few times, then they don't charge too well, if at all.

Oh, just reread the post; missed the part about the 2nd new battery. Move along, nothing to see here...

[Jayco 264bh]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Sounds like your converter isn't charging the battery. First, check to see if all fuses are good and breakers haven't popped.


Second, get a digital voltmeter and take readings at the battery, first with the rig unplugged from shore power, then plugged in. The voltage at the battery should jump up when plugged in. A fully charged battery should be at least 12.6 volts.

I’m getting 11.5v when not plugged in and the same reading after I connect to shore power. That confirms that the converter isn’t doing anything right?

[JimD]

The battery is definitely NOT receiving a charge from the converter. It may also be damaged at getting so low.

Like previously mentioned take readings right at the converter. 120 volts in and something like 13.5 - 14+ volts out. If the input 120 volts is there but there is no output, see if there are any fuses on the converter and test with an ohm meter if present.

If there is 13+ volts at the output then it appears there is an open between the converter and the battery. Converters should be capable of output voltage even without a battery connected. If you measure about the same voltage on the output as what you read on your battery, that means the battery is connected but the converter isn't doing a thing.

If there is no 120 volts going into the converter, looked for a tripped breaker (reset all if unsure).