Converter Location? '18 Fuel 250

[dmiller1004]

We are new to this, live in Portland Oregon area We bought a used 2018 Heartland Fuel 250 March of 23. Used it twice so far. We have been trying to keep the inside @ 60ish degrees, so no freeze up. It is plugged into an inside house receptacle, found batteries were shot. Tried to run off just house current, wouldn't work also tried starting Genie it wouldn't start either is that cuz of dead batteries? Now we have brand new batteries (2 of O'reilly's Deep Cycle) everything works, will the house current keep the batteries charged up or? We have a converter but aren't sure what it does, where it's located, or if it's even working. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Fred & Donna

 

[david-steph2018]

A converter takes the 120VAC and changes (converts) it to 12VDC. The converter does charge the batteries. It should be located near the batteries or near the breaker panel in the rig. To test to see if the converter is working, you need to use a multimeter and read the voltage across the battery cables. But the cables need to be disconnected from the batteries, so you are reading the power from the converter.
If you do not feel comfortable working on the rig, unplug the rig from power first before starting.

 

[dmiller1004]

A converter takes the 120VAC and changes (converts) it to 12VDC. The converter does charge the batteries. It should be located near the batteries or near the breaker panel in the rig. To test to see if the converter is working, you need to use a multimeter and read the voltage across the battery cables. But the cables need to be disconnected from the batteries, so you are reading the power from the converter.
If you do not feel comfortable working on the rig, unplug the rig from power first before starting.

ok, is the power from the house (which may be only 15amp breaker outlet) enough VAC for the converter to keep the batteries charged? If we unplug from House & start genie will it also charge the batteries thru the converter? Assume the batteries were at 10% approx how long would it take for the batteries to get charged back up to 100% (12.8)? If the trailer is unplugged & no Genie is on, does the converter still charge the batteries? If so, where does it get the power to do so? Sorry I don't know much at all.

 

[david-steph2018]

ok, is the power from the house (which may be only 15amp breaker outlet) enough VAC for the converter to keep the batteries charged? If we unplug from House & start genie will it also charge the batteries thru the converter? Assume the batteries were at 10% approx how long would it take for the batteries to get charged back up to 100% (12.8)? If the trailer is unplugged & no Genie is on, does the converter still charge the batteries? If so, where does it get the power to do so? Sorry I don't know much at all.

Keeping the batteries charged with a 15-amp outlet thru the converter, can work. But if you are only plugged into a 15-amp outlet, why not use a battery tender to maintain the charge.
The generator will charge the batteries when it is operating.
If you have either AGM or flooded batteries (lead acid), 10% is dangerous low. You may have damage the batteries by allowing these to get that low. Before trying to re-charge these types of batteries, take the batteries to an auto part store, have the batteries tested.
If the rig is unplugged, no generator running, no it will not charge the batteries. There will not be any 120VAC power going to the breaker panel.

The batteries power all the 12VDC equipment, lights, water pump, gas fridge, starting water heater, co detector, keeps radio on, vent fans, etc....
These two are on 24-7, so with the rig unplugged, no generator, you still will have a draw on the batteries.

Here is a little reading material that explains a little about the size of batteries:

Group 27 vs. Group 29 vs. Group 31 Battery – Which One Is The Best? - Battery Globe

Need a new battery for your car, RV, camper, but unsure which one to get. This article shows you how to decide between a Group 27, Group 29, or Group 31 battery.

batteryglobe.com

 

[dmiller1004]

Thank You so much for your help and the reading article.