Lpavao10
York, SC
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I was curious if anyone knows if the battery disconnect switch is on (batteries disconnected from 12V) and the unit is plugged in to 120V, does the converter continue to charge the batteries? Or is this disconnected as well? The reason I ask is that I use trickle chargers for the house and start batteries when stored, but I keep a heater operating and use shore power to run it. I just don't want the converter charging the battery along with my trickle charger. Any help is appreciated.
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wild bill
Mira Loma, Ca. USA
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The answer will depend on where the battery disconnect switch is located......right at the batteries or down the line?....What is in front of the switch and what is behind it?
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
Most often if the battery disconnect switch is off the batteries will not be charged. Some older converters do use the battery to smooth the output.
Regards, Don
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support to Tech Issues.
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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In most cases, the factory installed battery cut-off switch does not allow the converter to charge the battery. Utilizing a voltmeter, determine if converter is still applying a charge to your battery when battery cut-off switch is in use. If so, some converters can be readily unplugged but flipping the converter circuit breaker will do the trick as well.
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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The only way the battery could be disconnected and still be charging on the converter would be for there to be 2 parallel wires from the converter to the battery. Wire 1 would have the disconnect and wire 2 would have a diode to prevent power flowing backward toward the converter/load center.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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There is NO rule for that as OEM's wire them differently. The best way to check is to turn the disconnect OFF (batteries disconnected) and plug in the unit, then take a voltage reading at the coach batteries. If you read over 13 volts, the Converter charges when the batteries are disconnected. Doug
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Just unplug the converter.
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Lpavao10
York, SC
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Thank you all for your replies. I'll check the incoming voltage to the disconnected batteries to see if the converter is still charging. I keep the batteries disconnected since the converters have a tendency to over-charge and kill your house batteries over time. Trickle chargers are better. I use the shore-power from the converter to keep a heater running inside while stored. Thanks again.
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