I don't think the charge controller is working

Matt Colie

Matt Colie

Well-known member
Aug 15, 2008
11,101
807
113
South East Michigan near DTW
I broke this out of the too long thread for the convenience of the readers.

> I don't think the charge controller is working. Is any of this stock?

Burl,

The short answer is that none of that looks OE.

A charge controller by convention is part of a solar energy system. What I see there looks more like a newer converter/charger than was typical for
GMC era.

The box on the right looks to be an automatic transfer switch that will connect the generator when it is running or the shore power when it is
available, but not to both ever.

A short test for the charger is to measure the terminal at the house bank and unplug it. Did the bank voltage drop? Plug it back in... Did the banks
voltage come up? If those were not true, something is probably wrong with that.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
If you are on shore power, meter or plug an appliance into the receptacle the converter is plugged into to test for 125VAC. Could be that transfer
switch is not transferring.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Thanks for breaking up the thread, I forget that many are on email and it gets messy.

I'm on shore power.

Have verified, converter/charger is kaput. No change in battery voltage, it doesn't turn on when plugged in. Looks like some water damage in the
past.

Also found out my nice CTek battery charger is kaput. It would fault out after a few minutes of trying to charge and I thought my batteries were
toast, but looks like they're ok.. (big whew)
Have another battery charger connected to charge them now, good thing I have 3 of everything.

https://postimg.cc/c6KGyT9d
--
Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, don't know the model
 
Just a simple question I am sure you already probably checked.

Did you check the fuses on the converter.

Melbo
--
Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
 
> Just a simple question I am sure you already probably checked.
>
> Did you check the fuses on the converter.
>
> Melbo

I haven't found any fuses! Also haven't found the rear battery junction, it seems to be under a cabinet bottom. I think I'll add a breaker after the
new converter/charger, I see in the prints there was originally a 60amp breaker between it and the fuse panel, but if it's still there, it's hidden.
I'm going to remount everything, there was water damage to the plywood. I'd also like to add a battery disconnect switch outside at the rear
batteries.

--
Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, don't know the model
 
Things are looking better now. I still want to change that red output wire as it's a few inches too short for my liking, but I'm still shopping for
some #6 wire and I had that piece already.
Anyhow, it's all working now.

https://postimg.cc/75g1xhVX

I also added an ON/OFF switch on the 120vac in and a 50amp breaker on the output. It's kind of hidden right now, but I'm going to put a hinge on the
shelf for easy access, or cut more holes in the face once I get more wire and the ok from my wife. I think it's ok where it is though, we'll see.
I will eventually be mounting the display panel for the charger beside the breaker panels.

https://postimg.cc/8FNRsGXG

--
Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, don't know the model
 
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