Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: failed echo charger (Read 680 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

failed echo charger

Yahoo Message Number: 74519
I have read from several members that there echo charger nad failed to charge the chassis batteries. It appears that mine has also stopped chargings as the chassis batteries continue to lose voltage when parked under shore power. Has anyone just installed a automatic charger in the inverter/transfer switch bay and left it connected to 120 volt power so that it will charge the chassis batteries when connected to shore power or if not connected, it would charge using the inverter power.

Thanks,

John

08 magna 6887

Re: failed echo charger

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74520
John, it is likely one or both of the inline 20 amp fuses, check those out first.

Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898

Re: failed echo charger

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74529
John,

Per others suggestions, I too recommend checking the in line fuse. My echo charger quit and the glass fuse was the problem. Sometimes the fuse's element becomes disconnected from one of the contact sleeves. This means the fuse looks good but doesn't provide a completed circuit. Also check for a good connection within the fuse holder itself. I'd also make sure your chassis batteries are in good working order.

As for a trickle charge, I see no

problems with using one to keep your chassis batteries topped off. AC power is available within the battery bay but then you have the issue of enabling/disabling the charger. Getting into the conduit that feeds AC to the inverter/charger isn't easy. An extra AC feed needs to be fused properly for safety. I think the inverter circuit is 30A. Perhaps it might be easier and cheaper to replace the echo charger if it is, indeed, defective. Good luck.

At 06:09 AM 9/17/2011, you wrote:

Quote
>

I have read from several members that there echo >charger nad failed to charge the chassis >batteries. It appears that mine has also stopped >chargings as the chassis batteries continue to >lose voltage when parked under shore power. Has >anyone just installed a automatic charger in the >inverter/transfer switch bay and left it >connected to 120 volt power so that it will >charge the chassis batteries when connected to >shore power or if not connected, it would charge using the inverter power.

Thanks,
John

08 magna 6887

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 #31349
(Bus-Stead Lemon)

Re: failed echo charger

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74550
Carefully look at your house batteries. Do a load test, check specific gravity to try and detect a dead cell.
If the house batteries check ok, then beging looking at the charger itself.
You have to understand how the echo charger works. It does not charge the chassis battery. It passes excess a voltage (charging) from the house batteries to the chassis battery. A combiner so to speak. The echo charger has to see a minimum voltage level in the house batteries before it passes any voltage to the chassis battery.
Suggest take a look at the Magnum Smart Battery Combiner (ME-SBC) if your Echo Charger needs replacement.
A few years back I upgraded my Heart Frreedom 20 inv/chg to a Magnum sine wave (see post discussions 51626, 55130). When doing so, I discover how the Echo Charger has no way of adjusting the charge voltages, which for me was unacceptable. I found the fixed voltages were too high and my batteries were taking a beating unnecessarily. By switching to the ME-SBC, I was able to adjust all the charge voltages and battery maintenance has been a much better since.

Let us know what you discover....

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Re: failed echo charger

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74562
I to had my echo charger fail. After checking with the group I checked my in line fuses. One of them had blown. Problem solved.
Tom

2005 Inspire

Re: failed echo charger

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74563
Thanks for this. I had this happen to me too, and after being shown what to do, now I do check to see if the light is on in the echo charger.. If not, it's usually a blown fuse for mine.

Mike

06 Inspire 51784

failed echo charger

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74524
John,

I also have had the same problem and have replaced the echo charger only to have the same problem reoccure.
My work a round is to jump, with alligator clips and wire, the cylinoid,(sp), which is located close to the battery.

Hope that this helps.

Dan Nigro

08 Intrigue 45'
#12233