Coach batteries not charging

[Hook2205]

Our coach batteries are not charging from shore power or generator. We have changed to new batteries, replaced the BIRD, replaced the DC power solenoid! Any other suggestions?

2013 Newmar Canyon Star 3920

 

[RKins]

Have you checked the circuit breakers on the inverter/charger?

 

[Hook2205]

Have you checked the circuit breakers on the inverter/charger?

We do not know where it’s located.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

We do not know where it’s located.

Call Newmar and ask. They should be able to point you to the location on your 2013 Canyon Star.

TJ

 

[Joe Hogan]

If you have a ME-MR Mini Remote Control you might look through the Charging Section

https://www.invertersupply.com/media/data/64-0031%20F%20(Owners%20Manual,%20ME-MR%20v1.3).pdf

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Most likely your inverter is in the second bay from the front. It is up between the frame rails. I have to go in on my back and take a flashlight. There is a reset button that you will need to feel for.

 

[Hook2205]

Most likely your inverter is in the second bay from the front. It is up between the frame rails. I have to go in on my back and take a flashlight. There is a reset button that you will need to feel for.

Inverter is working fine. Displays correct
Voltage and green light is on. Newmar tech Dept has stated we need to change the items that were already changed. We are at a loss to the point of selling it.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Which inverter do you have MS2012? If neither the Generator nor the Shore power is providing a Charger current, there must be something interrupting that power. Look at the wiring schematic for that circuit for fuses and breakers. Is there a tripped breaker on the generator, or the fuse panels,? Did you indicate that you have Shore Power to the rest of the RV when plugged in?
Is the Battery Charger of the Inverter actually energized? How do you know?
These are questions that should be asked to a Tech that is familiar with RV electric circuits at this point.
Changing a bunch of parts without an understanding of the problem was an expensive method of diagnosing an issue.
This can be diagnosed with a test light and a schematic.

Please excuse the reference but is a good source of data

Are You Missing Detailed Electric Drawings - iRV2 Forums

It's been noted that some are not happy with Newmars electric pfd's, plumbing, fusing & wiring details. Compared to when I arrived at Newmar forum its made a slow turn around that has produced

www.irv2.com

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The inverter is working, but is the charging circuit providing current to the batteries? It is all well and good if the BIRD senses that the batteries need charging but unless the current actually gets to the batteries, they won’t get charged. Possibilities include the charging circuit not receiving power on the input side, the charging circuit failing to output charging current, open lines between the charger and batteries, etc.

This is one of those projects that requires starting at the power source with a good VOM (aka voltmeter) and following the power until it stops.

TJ

 

[Hook2205]

Call Newmar and ask. They should be able to point you to the location on your 2013 Canyon Star.

TJ

Newmar would not guide us as we are not “Newmar tech”. All weaeEDAxp

Which inverter do you have MS2012? If neither the Generator nor the Shore power is providing a Charger current, there must be something interrupting that power. Look at the wiring schematic for that circuit for fuses and breakers. Is there a tripped breaker on the generator, or the fuse panels,? Did you indicate that you have Shore Power to the rest of the RV when plugged in?
Is the Battery Charger of the Inverter actually energized? How do you know?
These are questions that should be asked to a Tech that is familiar with RV electric circuits at this point.
Changing a bunch of parts without an understanding of the problem was an expensive method of diagnosing an issue.
This can be diagnosed with a test light and a schematic.

Please excuse the reference but is a good source of data

Are You Missing Detailed Electric Drawings - iRV2 Forums

It's been noted that some are not happy with Newmars electric pfd's, plumbing, fusing & wiring details. Compared to when I arrived at Newmar forum its made a slow turn around that has produced

www.irv2.com

View attachment 8497

 

[Hook2205]

A tech is the one who changed all the relays and have stated that they cannot figure out the problem. I have spoken to Newmar, Craig ?, and because we are not “Newmar techs” that I do is not released. However, Newmar would set up a tech apt at $145 an hour to and from his location to ours plus!

 

[Hook2205]

Call Newmar and ask. They should be able to point you to the location on your 2013 Canyon Star.

TJ

Newmar has only suggested that a “Newmar” tech could come and diagnose the problem at $145 hour…

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Newmar has only suggested that a “Newmar” tech could come and diagnose the problem at $145 hour…

You said you didn’t know where the inverter is located and I suggested you ask Newmar to point you to the location. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that they would be able to fix the problem over the phone; only to suggest where to look for the inverter.

Obviously, you are going to need professional assistance with this problem and $145/hour is a pretty standard rate. You either need to have a qualified mobile tech come out or make arrangements to take your coach to a qualified service shop to have the work done. In either case, you should expect to pay the prevailing labor rate plus any parts charges.

TJ

 

[Fish]

My house batteries weren't charging on my Monaco. I ended up buying a new ME2012.

That fixed it. I could have sent it in and paid shipping, no place near here. I bit the bullet and paid $900 for a new one. When I saw the cost of boards and such I figured it was the cheapest way to go.

 

[Hook2205]

You said you didn’t know where the inverter is located and I suggested you ask Newmar to point you to the location. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that they would be able to fix the problem over the phone; only to suggest where to look for the inverter.

Obviously, you are going to need professional assistance with this problem and $145/hour is a pretty standard rate. You either need to have a qualified mobile tech come out or make arrangements to take your coach to a qualified service shop to have the work done. In either case, you should expect to pay the prevailing labor rate plus any parts charges.

TJ

It would have been great if Newmar would have suggested where to even look for the chassis battery inverter but that info is not given out to an owner per Newmar. Only a Newmar technician. Both inverters have been found however they go to the tv and refrigerator NOT the chassis batteries so we are still on the hunt! An authorized tech did change the other relays and could not find the culprit.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

It would have been great if Newmar would have suggested where to even look for the chassis battery inverter but that info is not given out to an owner per Newmar.

Interesting. When I called last fall, one of the reps (Bruce IIRC) not only told me where to look, but stayed on the phone with me while I crawled into the storage compartment (with my cell phone) and found the inverter. He then helped me find the inverter breakers and reset them.

BTW, I believe the charging circuit is an integral part of the “inverter.” It is a combination unit (all in the same enclosure) and has circuit breakers on the input side. If one of them opens, you will lose battery charging capability. They are usually small button type breakers (push in to reset) and not easy to spot since the inverter is usually installed up between the frame rails.

TJ

 

[Hook2205]

Interesting. When I called last fall, one of the reps (Bruce IIRC) not only told me where to look, but stayed on the phone with me while I crawled into the storage compartment (with my cell phone) and found the inverter. He then helped me find the inverter breakers and reset them.

BTW, I believe the charging circuit is an integral part of the “inverter.” It is a combination unit (all in the same enclosure) and has circuit breakers on the input side. If one of them opens, you will lose battery charging capability. They are usually small button type breakers (push in to reset) and not easy to spot since the inverter is usually installed up between the frame rails.

TJ

Thank you. I have spoken to another rep at Newmar after asking for a supervisor. She was very helpful and we are now locating it.

 

[Hook2205]

UPDATE:
Mark, a certified Newmar tech came out. Said we needed to replace the converter. Converter replaced. Still no charge. Changed out outlet. Still no charge. SO…..we are definitely at a loss and out $$$. Any other suggestions folks? BTW, called the tech Mark and he has also stated he can’t figure it out. On the phone again with Newmar and they are also at a loss. It’s a mystery and we are stuck stopping every three hours to recharge batteries.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Is the charging circuit outputting power? Since it is new, I suspect it is, but that needs to be checked at the unit. If it is, the wires between the converter and the battery need to be checked. I believe there may be a high-amperage inline fuse in the charging circuit, It is probably located somewhere near the batteries and may be inside a small plastic enclosure that is not readily visible. The fuse needs to be checked, as well as whether there is power to that point in the circuit. There may be a diode in the circuit as well; has it opened. Are the connectors where the charging circuit connects to the battery clean and tight. Check for power at that point as well.

These type of problems need to be diagnosed methodically. Too many “technicians” are simply parts replaces and have no idea how to do that. It is simply a matter of starting at the beginning of a circuit and tracing power to each individual point along the way. And, never “assume” at any point; question everything—including “new” parts. Verify everything.

TJ

 

[Hook2205]

Is the charging circuit outputting power? Since it is new, I suspect it is, but that needs to be checked at the unit. If it is, the wires between the converter and the battery need to be checked. I believe there may be a high-amperage inline fuse in the charging circuit, It is probably located somewhere near the batteries and may be inside a small plastic enclosure that is not readily visible. The fuse needs to be checked, as well as whether there is power to that point in the circuit. There may be a diode in the circuit as well; has it opened. Are the connectors where the charging circuit connects to the battery clean and tight. Check for power at that point as well.

These type of problems need to be diagnosed methodically. Too many “technicians” are simply parts replaces and have no idea how to do that. It is simply a matter of starting at the beginning of a circuit and tracing power to each individual point along the way. And, never “assume” at any point; question everything—including “new” parts. Verify everything.

TJ

Ty so much. Another day in the bays!! :-(