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Topic: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery (Read 659 times) previous topic - next topic
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Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
We have a mystery on our hands. Here are the clues. A couple months ago, we replaced the Parallax 8300 series battery charger converter, after discovering our good AGM batteries would only charge from solar or the alternator but not good shore power. New Parallax worked on testing and on the first night of a getaway. Now, On day 2, the batteries won’t charge from shore power!  The batteries seem to be charging up to only 13 volts from solar, with nothing but the “background” systems drawing power.  Dud replacement parallax? Dud breakers? Some rogue system blowing two charger converters in a row? We are mystified. Any ideas from the gurus and heroes of the group?

Dave & Lee
2019 27 MB
2019 Mid Bath
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #1 –
Dave & Lee,

To me, it sounds like a fuse or circuit breaker is tripped between the charger and the batteries. When you are plugged in to shore power, are you getting power to 110 volt appliances like microwave and air-conditioning? Is the breaker on the shore power pedestal tripped or on?

Did you contact the folks at the Lazy Daze factory before replacing the original Parallax unit? I would think it would have been a warranty issue. The factory should be your friend for these kinds of issues. To me, it would be very strange to have two failed units in a row on something so new.

Did somebody install a power management system on your rig? If so, that may be a potential trouble area.

Good luck. Please post the solution when you solve the mystery.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #2 –
Need to check with a voltmeter AT the converter the output voltage to the batteries, then again at the battery terminals. If different, then suspect the circuit breaker in the cable run - usually hidden somewhere. If the fuse for the solar charge controller is in the battery box, that is why it is not affected.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #3 –
Thank you so much for your replies, Steve. More clues to this mystery- Yes, the 110 appliances like the microwave, A/C, and outlets work when plugged into shore power, and the shore is on with no breaker tripped there. No power management/mods done.  This problem started in July in Texas, after we were several months out of LD warranty, although the parallax converter/charger is under replacement warranty still. Got cricket chirps when we emailed Parallax this summer. The baffling part is when we replaced the parallax unit (really straightforward, by the way), it worked fine and the batteries charged with shore power. as well as with the Onboard Generator, for several days.  We wouldn’t think a circuit breaker in the run would self re-set when the new unit was put in, but, hey, that’s why we call it a mystery! We’ll test with the volt meter as you suggest and put a call into the mother ship to see if they can shed light on it, even though we are usually nowhere near So. Cal.  Thanks again for your replies. Once we solve this, we’ll definitely post an update.

Dave & Lee
2019 27 MB, HEYBUBU
2019 Mid Bath
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #4 –
"...put a call into the mother ship to see if they can shed light on it..."
----
You might want to call Best Converter; they sell the Parallax 8300 and should be very familiar with it.

Ask Randy
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #5 –
When we last left our mystery, the initial Parallax 8355 in our 2019 LD had failed, and a replacement Parallax 8355 was successfully installed.  Two days later, no 12V or coach battery charging when connected to good shore power.  Here's the update.  The mothership referred us to AP Products, which apparently bought Parallax.  The warranty guy emailed us a one-page diagnostic sheet so we could confirm the second Parallax had in fact failed.  It did.  It turns out a warranty claim (only on the original unit-- they supposedly won't warranty the one we bought new on Amazon for some reason) does take months to process. 

Our reputable RV repair technician, who we used for our Airstream pre-Lazy Daze, took a look this week.  He said the internal non-replaceable fuse inside the Parallax had fried on both units.  We haven't plugged into any hinky power.  We mostly camp off the grid.  When we do plug into shore at a park, we have a surge protector that shows the amps flowing into the RV well within specs according to the LD manual- we always check.  Our tech recommended we install a Progressive Dynamics as a replacement unit.  Our tech says it is a higher quality unit.  We will be making our test run next week.  If anything goes wrong, we'll post on the forum.  Of course, after all this, we now carry a compact NOCO Genius 10A AGM battery charger/maintainer on board.  Hopefully, mystery solved.  Thanks again to all gurus and heroes who replied and PM'd.  Onward and upward!

Dave & Lee
2019 27MB, HEYBUBU
Nor Cal

2019 Mid Bath
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #6 –
"Our tech recommended we install a Progressive Dynamics as a replacement unit.  Our tech says it is a higher quality unit."
---
IMO, your tech is absolutely correct.  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #7 –
Absolutely, and I'll have an update soon on MikeH's resolution with Lazy Daze, and his 2019 TK 8355 board failure.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
 
Re: Parallax 8300 series battery charger/converter mystery
Reply #8 –
Quote from: RV-Getaways  - 
We wouldn’t think a circuit breaker in the run would self re-set when the new unit was put in, but, hey, that’s why we call it a mystery! We’ll test with the volt meter as you suggest

While most of the hidden circuit breakers have a reset button, some LDs are equipped with automatic circuit breakers.
They look the same as each other except for the re-set button.
Check for voltage drop across the breaker when there is a decent 12-volt load, the breaker's contacts can get dirty and pass limited amperage. Significant voltage drop across the breaker indicates a problem.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze