Strange issue with batteries

[jbeletti]

Nice job Chris. Not sure why they blew (short or an over-current). But keep an eye on things so you can determine the cause and fix whatever it is.

Jim

 

[branson4020]

The mot common cause, I think, of blowing the output protection fuses is reverse battery polarity. It only takes a fraction of a second...

 

[wyleyrabbit]

The only thing I can think of is maybe something surged when I wired up either the inverter or the battery disconnect switch. Both seem to work fine though. I will keep a close eye on things though.

 

[jbeletti]

Looks like Bob hit it on the head.

This from the Progressive Dynamics website:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE FOR
PD9100 SERIES POWER CONVERTERS[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]STEP # 1 CONVERTER OUTPUT VOLTAGE TEST[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A. Using a 5/32 Allen wrench, loosen the screw and disconnect the Positive Battery wire from the RV converter Positive Output Terminal (see below).[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] B. Connect 120 VAC Shore Power to the RV.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]C. Connect a Digital Voltmeter to the proper Positive and Negative terminals on the front of the converter.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]D. The voltage should read 13.6-volts +/- .3-volts DC. If the voltage is in this range, the converter is good.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]E. If the converter output voltage is zero volts, check the Reverse Battery Protection Fuse(s) to see if they are blown. Note: The only thing that will blow these fuses is if the battery leads were connected in reverse even for just a second. If the fuses were blown, replace them and re-test the converter output voltage.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]F. If the fuses check good, go on to Step # 2 [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
STEP # 2 CONVERTER INPUT VOLTAGE TEST[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A. Check the 120 V.A.C. circuit breaker that supplies AC power to the converter. If it is tripped reset it. If it trips immediately after reset, the converter is bad and must be replaced. If the circuit breaker is not tripped go to “B”.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]B. Using a AC voltmeter check the AC Outlet that the converter is plugged into to see if 120 VAC is available. If 120 VAC power is present at the outlet and the converter still has zero volts output, the converter is bad and must be replaced. If no AC power is present at the outlet, you have a wiring problem in the RV.

[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE CONTACT OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PROGRESSIVE DYNAMICS
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
507 INDUSTRIAL ROAD
MARSHALL, MI 49068[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]SUPERVISOR – JAMES MAYO[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] TELEPHONE = 269-781-4241
FAX = 269-781-7802
E-MAIL = service@progressivedyn.com[/FONT]​

 

[jmgratz]

Glad to hear you "Got 'er done".

 

[wyleyrabbit]

Jim,

That's an excellent troubleshooting guide. I wish I had that a few days ago. My hope is that this helps someone else that ends up in my shoes.

It would be great if there were some sort of cenralized troubleshooting repository where one could go for step-by-step guides such as these for whatever system seems to be having anything from a minor glitch to a complete failure.

Have you considered a wiki? I suggest MediaWiki, and it could be installed at wiki.heartlandowners.org. I would be more than happy to help.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[jbeletti]

Chris,

The repository has begun. Check here: http://manuals.heartlandowners.org/?Major=Electrical&Minor=Converter&Brand=Progressive_Dynamics

Jim