RV Chassis Battery Not Charging
When your RV is plugged into power at a campground, the AC to DC converter should recharge the chassis batteries. But sometimes, it doesn’t. Let’s look at a few reasons why your batteries are not charging, and what you can do about it.
The converter’s charging module isn’t working
If all of your lights, fans, and the water pump still work on 12-volts while plugged in, that means the DC electricity is coming from the converter and not the batteries. If the converter breaker or the converter charging module is turned off, or if your RV has the battery disconnect switch turned flipped, the batteries won’t charge. Be sure to check that the converter breaker isn’t tripped and that any type of battery disconnect solenoid hasn’t been engaged.
There is a blown fuse
If there is a measurable increase in the DC voltage of the batteries when the RV is plugged in, that indicates the battery charge circuit is most likely working. However, if the voltage doesn’t increase when plugged in, it might be a blown fuse in the charge circuit of the converter/charger.
An electronic disconnect switch has been engaged
Your particular RV may have an electronic disconnect switch that automatically shuts off the battery bank. It’s not uncommon on some RV models for such a switch to deploy automatically during a prolonged downtime. If such a switch is accidentally activated while camping, it will take the batteries offline, which means the batteries will not charge or discharge. Check to see if you have such a switch; it may be defective.
You could have a broken wire
Another reason the batteries are not charging could be a broken wire somewhere between the converter/charger and the batteries. Any break in the circuit will cause the chassis batteries not to charge.
Corrosion on the battery posts
A lot of corrosion or oxidation on the battery posts can also prevent the batteries from being charged. Ensure that the battery posts are clean and fastened tightly. Also, check the ground connection that goes to the RV’s metal frame from the negative battery post. Any open ground in the charging circuit can prevent the converter/charger from charging the batteries.
Your batteries are worn out
The last thing is to test are the batteries themselves. It could simply be time to get new batteries. Batteries won’t last forever, and they generally die a slow death, gradually reducing the ability to hold a charge.
If none of these troubleshooting tips uncovers the problem, it may be time to take your RV to a qualified technician.
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