House battery issues

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by Cherry

Here's my next question is it safe to start the van while its plugged in?

Yes, that is safe. As long as you don't forget and drive off with it still plugged in
I've driven around with a generator running to exercise the generator. (generators have to be run monthly) Basically it is the same as starting the engine while being plugged in.

[Mike]

Here's the link to the similar problem discussion (on here).
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1541&p=6532&hilit=converter+re lay#p6532

The symptoms are similar and Hardybob has a suggestion at the end of the thread.
Good luck.

[Cherry]

When I turned the van over while plugged into shore power I was still getting the pinging/ clicking noise so went to the store tonight and a friend replaced 3 of the circuit breaker relay things. He found another one tonight in the same general area so that will be getting change also. While we were digging we came across one circuit breaker with no numbers written on it and it looks a bit different from the others. Not sure if that's because it's ancient or because it's not a 12v 30 amp breaker.

It's the one on the bottom left with two copper looking posts and a plastic separator in the middle. Is this also a 12v 30 amp breaker? Like I said there are no numbers or wording on it at all or if there was it has corroded off. This breaker sits all the way on the drivers side attached to the firewall.

[Mike]

If you know any electricians run it by them.
If you don't, I would take the parts to an RV service center, and replace them all, if possible.
While the relays and other odds and ends are out, check the connectivity of the wiring with a multi-meter if possible.
Beyond that, I'm not sure, but if it's not a relay gate, or a wire/cable, it's probably beyond us all.

[markopolo]

Hard to know for sure. It does look like a breaker. I think if it was mine I'd try to trace the wiring route to see what it might be used for. The size and branding of the wire would be a clue as well. That might help determine if it is part of the original van or part of the original conversion or added even later than that.

[Cherry]

Here's another question though I'm nearly positive that it's hooked up correctly. My house battery had three connection wires for the terminals. Should two be on the negative post and one on the positive? I can't find any clear answers in a web search.

[markopolo]

There is no way for anyone here to answer that.

Usually:
Red = positive (sometimes a black wire with red tape near the end)
Black = negative

If you do have 2 wires connected to the negative battery terminal then one of those wires could be a ground wire attached to the frame of your van. It would usually be attached very near the battery. I doubt very much that your converter would have worked if it was connected wrong.

I often use a digital camera to take photos of areas that I can't easily see. You can usually see enough to get your in a good position. Take a bunch of photos then look at them on a computer if possible.

[Cherry]

Thats my assumption too that one of those is a ground so there should be two on the negative post.

[Cherry]

Fixed

[Mike]

Originally Posted by markopolo

There is no way for anyone here to answer that.

Usually:
Red = positive (sometimes a black wire with red tape near the end)
Black = negative

If you do have 2 wires connected to the negative battery terminal then one of those wires could be a ground wire attached to the frame of your van. It would usually be attached very near the battery. I doubt very much that your converter would have worked if it was connected wrong.

I often use a digital camera to take photos of areas that I can't easily see. You can usually see enough to get your in a good position. Take a bunch of photos then look at them on a computer if possible.

Sage advice. I do it that way too.