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Coach batteries not charging

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Hook2205

RVF Regular
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
15
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
 
Have you checked the circuit breakers on the inverter/charger?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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

inverter reset.png
 

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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
 
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

View attachment 8497
 
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!
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 

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