I need HELP!!!: Generator Charging

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Generator Charging

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11681
Printed Date: 11 Jul 2025 at 9:02pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Generator Charging

Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Subject: Generator Charging
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 10:35am

I just came from a camping trip and for four days was hooked to shore power. The onboard generator/charging system only charged the battery to 12.3 Volts. I checked the voltage at the battery with a multi-meter. Is this normal?

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MDPaddlersPod
2017 RPod 179
2002 Silverado1500

Replies:

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 10:38am

I assume you're referring to the converter. 12.3V is not unreasonable if it's not charging.

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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats

Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 10:47am

Yes, the converter. Didn't know the term. So are you saying that charging to 12.3 V indicates a faulty system? I have one more month on my warranty and want to make sure I get this corrected if it's a problem...Many thanks.

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MDPaddlersPod
2017 RPod 179
2002 Silverado1500

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 11:17am

No, he isn't saying that. 12.3v indicates a full battery and a float charge status.

It's technically a "3 stage, 12v, converter/charger"

If your converter/charger was bad, after 4 days, you would have a discharged battery, not 12.3v.

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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 1:38pm

Sorry, I may have thrown you off by the double-negative "not unreasonable". Straight off a charge, it may be at 12.8, but it then will settle down to around 12.3 fairly quickly.

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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats

Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 3:06pm

Thanks so much guys.

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MDPaddlersPod
2017 RPod 179
2002 Silverado1500

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2018 at 3:42pm

Interesting, I agree 12.3 is charged after 4 days of use, converter is working. However the only way I can measure 12.3 is with converter OFF and battery charged. My battery is maintained so I seldom if ever see the BULK mode. It will go into ABSORBTION mode if I use battery power with no shore power or change the 12V draw, that is about 13.6 on mine. No significant change to draw over time it goes into the FLOAT mode at about 13.1 volts. My point is with converter ON, it is never at 12.3.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2018 at 7:28am

Originally posted by mcarter

Interesting, I agree 12.3 is charged after 4 days of use, converter is working. However the only way I can measure 12.3 is with converter OFF and battery charged. My battery is maintained so I seldom if ever see the BULK mode. It will go into ABSORBTION mode if I use battery power with no shore power or change the 12V draw, that is about 13.6 on mine. No significant change to draw over time it goes into the FLOAT mode at about 13.1 volts. My point is with converter ON, it is never at 12.3.

I took his description to be that he was home, and not hooked up to shore power when he took, and reported the battery charge.

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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2018 at 10:57am

Furpod,

I'm tracking and you are correct, but you knew that anyway:)

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 9:46am

Interesting side note: I had a bad 30 amp battery fuse in the converter on my new 190 straight from the factory. My battery was not charging. The dealer even replaced the battery for me. All of the fuses looked fine when ever I checked them-- no dark spots, no scorches like a typical blown fuse. When the new battery went dead after a week I made a closer inspection of the fuses with a bright light. Sure enough, that 30 amp fuse was defective and did not have a solid connection from blade to blade.

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2018 Sequoia--2018 RP 190

Posted By: Mirado
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2018 at 9:51am

It's always a good idea to test fuses with a continuity tester or ohmmeter if you have one.

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Miriam and Doug
2015 Rpod 181G
Silverado 1500

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2018 at 3:35pm

I do, but a lot of that depends on the link I'm testing. Some are very visible.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."