RE: Help! re: Coleman power converter/charger

[Lablover]

 
Before we spend big $$ to replace our power converter on our 1997 Coleman Yukon that we bought used, I thought I would bring it to the experts first. We have been wondering why we have no 12volt battery power after installing a deep cycle marine battery a few years back. Since most of our camping has been done with hookups we havent really investigated it. This summer we had the pleasure of doing some dry camping in the national forests of Virginia and are excited to do some more. Upon further investigation we have discovered that we dont have this capability at all!! or at least we dont think so. What we have is a MagneTek 6620 series with option or code O power converter. Is anyone familiar with this and are we looking at having to buy a totally new one that will charge and convert to battery automatically? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[6Quigs]

 Lablover
So the Battery is a few years old.
 Have you only relied on the converter to charge the Battery? as the convertor is not enough to keep the battery charged. you need a Deep Cycle battery charger to do it correctly.
 Is the battery currently fully charged?
 
 The converter in the popup is to convert 110 volt power to 12 volts, so when you were camping with full hook ups and if the lights worked, then your convertor is probabily fine,
 Based on the information you have given, I would start by checking out how good by battery is first. Get a simple volt meter, $20 from Radio Shack and it is always a handy instrument to have when dry camping.
 

[mike4947]

 Lablover
As it stands today NO PU has a converter with true battery charging capabilities.  Before you go out and spend several hundred dollars to buy a new converter and optional battery charger/minder and no your converter doesn t have the option of adding one.
 Your converter either does " switch automatically"  or there is a rocker switch on the front. See your owners manual for specifics.
 
 Here s my rules; learned the hard way over the years; for keeping a battery in shape.
 
 Get a true deep cycle battery, If it mentions anything about dual purpose or marine starting or if it s a regilar maintenance free battery it s not the one you want.
 
 Get a decent battery charger that has a deep cycle/flooded switch, Regular straight chargers don t output the voltage you need to completely charge a deep cycle. They limit the voltage to avoid " boiling"  maintenance free batteries.
 
 Disconnect the battery from the trailer when not camping. There are parasitic drains like the propane detector that run no matter what you do and can drop a battery in several weeks.
 
 Charge the battery before you leave. No sense going camping on a partially charged battery.
 
 Charge the battery as soon as you get home. Batteries don t like being partially discharged and let sitting.
 
 Charge the battery at least once a month during the off season. Batteries lose power just sitting there and again partially discharged batteries have a shortened life.
 
 Check the water before & after EVERY time you charge it. An exposed plate is death to a battery.

[Lablover]

 Lablover
Thanks Quig and Mike. I will have to ask DH these questions and will get back with you on this matter. I think I will solicit any 1997 Coleman owners to find out if anyone has this same exact Magnetek model. Maybe we dont even have the right type of battery. It looks like we have 2 different issues here so I appreciate your input and hope to get this resolved.
 
 Sandy and the gang

[mike4947]

 Lablover
Sandy, here s a few links for the DH to look at. They explain everythig you d ever want to know about 12 volt systems, batteries, and charging.
 
 http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
 http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volta.htm
 http://www.dcbattery.com/faq.html#1
 http://pweb.uunet.de/william.darden/index.htm
 http://www.usbattery.com/care.htm
 
 And one quick hint, trailer 12 volt systems use household wiring colors for 12 volt so you might just have the battery hooked up backwards. Look for a fuse or Circuit breaker that s the (+) positive side and the other should go to a gound somewhere(-)