Switching from shore power to RV battery power

[Kiwi&Major]

Is there a switch to change the unit from 110VAC that is going through the inverter to, I hope, charge the RV battery?

[Daryles]

When you are plugged into 50A electrical outlet, your "converter" should automatically charge your battery.
Keystone montana electrical
https://www.keystonerv.com/upper-nav...trical-systems
Make sure your battery disconnect switch in the convenience center is in the "ON" position.

[Tom N OH]

Originally Posted by Daryles

When you are plugged into 50A electrical outlet, your "converter" should automatically charge your battery.
Keystone montana electrical
https://www.keystonerv.com/upper-nav...trical-systems
Make sure your battery disconnect switch in the convenience center is in the "ON" position.

Actually, he wants the battery disconnect switch in the "OFF" position. The switch acts in the opposite way that you would think. "ON" is disconnected, "OFF" is connected. If you can pull the red key out, the switch is disconnected. Always leave the battery disconnect switch in the "OFF" or connected position when the RV is in use.

[DQDick]

[Sdgood1]

My disconnect is in the on position when you can’t remove the key! I just went and checked I have no power when the switch is in the off position and key is removed.

[Kiwi&Major]

So I need to have the switch in the convenience centre OFF when the RV is not on shore pwere?

[Tom N OH]

Originally Posted by Kiwi&Major

So I need to have the switch in the convenience centre OFF when the RV is not on shore pwere?

Only turn the switch to the disconnected position (the position that allows the key to be removed) when the RV is in storage, or not being used for an extended period. (Warning! There are a few things that are NOT shut off when you disconnect the battery. Propane detector, CO detector. They will kill the battery in a matter of a week or two, depending on number of batteries, size, etc.) It should be in the connected position any time the RV is in use. The battery must always be connected when hooked to shore power. It acts as a “buffer” for the converter. The converter changes 120v A/C to 12v DC to charge the battery. The battery supplies power to 12v loads such as lights, furnace fan, slide out mechanisms, roof vent fans, stereo, etc. Your inverter takes 12v DC from the battery & changes it to 120v AC to operate items such as a residential fridge. They are 2 separate things that do the exact opposite of each other. Don’t overthink it.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Tom N OH

Actually, he wants the battery disconnect switch in the "OFF" position. The switch acts in the opposite way that you would think. "ON" is disconnected, "OFF" is connected. If you can pull the red key out, the switch is disconnected. Always leave the battery disconnect switch in the "OFF" or connected position when the RV is in use.

Ok now I am confused......

[twindman]

Don't worry about on or off. When rv in use, make sure you can NOT remove the key. When not being used, turn to allow key to be removed, but remember the battery is still being used for some things. So if long term storage, disconnect a battery cable somehow.

[Tom N OH]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Ok now I am confused......

You have to remember it’s a battery DISCONNECT switch. On means disconnected. Off means connected.

[Sdgood1]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Ok now I am confused......

Forget off and on. IF you can take the red key OUT of the socket, 12vdc is OFF to the rig. IF you can't pull the key out, your 12vdc is turned on for your rig!
The only time I take the key out, is when the trailer is NOT in use.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by Tom N OH

You have to remember it’s a battery DISCONNECT switch. On means disconnected. Off means connected.

My head hurts. mtlakejim... I feel your pain. I'm not even sure which switch they are talking about.

[Montana Man]

The easiest thing to do is remove that switch since it doesn't actually disconnect the battery anyway. It's purpose is to look good on the showroom floor. Then install an actual disconnect switch near the battery.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Ok now I am confused......

Dont worry, just go try it. You wont break anything.
Picture of mine in the "ON" position.It has been in this position since I bought it. Its plugged into 50A receptacle at home.
When we disconnect the 50A, the 12v battery system works just fine.
A guy once said "ignore the word DISCONNECT, just go with battery ON/OFF.
The arrow points to the OFF position in the other picture.
If its OFF, the key will cone out.
Just go ahead and try it. No worries.

[Larry LeBeau]

I am new to this thread and to RV ing. I have a 2014 3100RL. Had for a year now and had several trips. Now I cannot get power from the Battery, but when I hookup to 50amp all is good. Battery is good. I was told to check the [self ] setting relay ?? All connections are tight. Would the converter be bad after only a few years, all fuse are good as well. Thx Larry

[jimcol]

Sounds like your battery disconnect switch got changed. Find it and move it to the position where the key cannot be removed.

[Kiwi&Major]

My problem with the battery power to my RV is more serious than I first thought. When the truck is hooked up & running there is no power to the RV. The clearance lights come on but that's all.
I looked @ all the fuses & none that I can find have been blown. There is one in the compartment with the hydraulic drive, others @ the panel inside the unit. Clearly I have missed one main fuse. The tip outs are extended that I can't retract so I'm in a corner here. Any suggestions are welcome.

[Ahdmeyer]

does everything work when connected to shore power? I had mine at a dealer for a while when i went to pick it up i could not lift the legs,dead batteries. hooked up to truck and waited for a while 45 min still would not work. finally ran the shore power cord out and hooked up and legs then worked. just a thought to check
al meyer
3931fb
az

[Larry LeBeau]

All is good with shore power. Batt is good. Took out the batt connect switch and could not get any kind of reading on my tester in any of the 2 positions, but I'm not an electrician. Still no power to coach in Batt only mode.

[Ahdmeyer]

mine has a disconnect above the batteries and also the one in the wet bay. you said the batteries have good voltage, at the battery but no voltage at the disconnect above the battery what voltage at batteries?
al meyer