[3 Fixes] RV Generator Not Charging Battery

RV generators play a key role in powering onboard electronics. Unfortunately, they are prone to problems if not maintained properly. One such problem is when the RV generator is running but it is not charging the batteries in your RV.

So, if your RV generator not charging a battery, we are here to help you fix that.

Reasons When Recreational Vehicle Generator Doesn’t Charge the Battery

When your recreational vehicle generator is not charging the battery, it’s not always the generator’s fault. Sometimes, it’s the battery as well. So let’s see how and when your generator fails to top up the RV batteries.

1. Insufficient Cycles on the Battery

Batteries usually come with a limited and fixed lifespan. In other words, it’s predetermined by the manufacturer how many cycles of charge and discharge the battery can withstand. So consider the possibility that your RV generator is actually charging the battery, but the battery can not hold the charge, which is quite normal for older batteries.

2. The Charger is Faulty

Have you considered the possibility that the charger, which is responsible for carrying the current from the RV generator to the battery, is faulty? However, the actual fault in the charger can be difficult to diagnose. If your RV came with a direct cable from the generator to the battery, it is pretty is to find the issue. if it has some circuits in between, you probably need to call a professional.

3. Dormant Equipment

If you had put your generator in storage or left it in the RV for months, this could be the issue. you see, you are supposed to periodically run the generator and charge the battery. A left-out engine in the generator or a battery without charge and a discharge cycle for too long can cause it to fail.

All batteries discharge themselves slowly. So, when left unused for too long, it practically empties itself out. Causing the battery to die. But don’t worry, most of the time it is revivable.

4. Breakers and Regulators

A faulty breaker, too, can supply you with electricity even though not to the fullest potential of your generator. The same is the case for voltage regulators. A malfunctioning regulator will still perform but may not provide sufficient voltage power to charge your batteries.

Fixing an RV Generator that is not Charging

After you have successfully identified the problems, you can attempt to fix them. Let’s see some of the possible fixes for this.

1. Replace the Battery

If your batter has started to show age, prior to stopping receiving charges altogether, you should look into replacing it. Replacing it every once in a while is a good practice anyway since it wears out by itself over time.

2. Replace Regulators

If your battery is ok and hasn’t started showing signs of aging yet, you should look into replacing the voltage regulators. A faulty voltage regulator can’t provide enough power to charge the battery so it will continue to drain and eventually empty itself to death.

3. Maintenance

If you find no apparent issue with the battery or the generator, probably it is time to do thorough maintenance of them both. For wet-cell batteries, which most RV batteries are, you should look into servicing the battery. Fill it up with a battery solution, recharge the battery, and test its voltage output.

For the generator itself, change the oil, filter, plug, etc. and check for its output.

If possible, consult a professional for your particular situation.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Do RV batteries charge when a generator is running?

Yes, they do. The converter connected to the battery will convert some of the leftover power from your RV generator to charge the battery.

How do I know if my RV converter is charging my battery?

You need to measure your battery charge with a multimeter to find if the RV converter is charging your batteries or not.

Does a generator charge its own battery when running?

Yes, when running, a generator charges both its own and the connected battery.

Does an RV converter have a fuse?

Yes, most of them have it. You can find it inside the converter box.

How long does it take for a generator to charge RV batteries?

If charging continuously, it shouldn’t take more than ten hours to fully charge RV batteries.

Final Thoughts

Thankfully, solving charging issues in RV generators is quite easy and straightforward. If it’s not an old battery or outdated RV generator, check for the fuse and cables. Remember to source the correct parts for replacement. Hope it helped.