Electrical Issue

Kelsma03 · 02-14-2015, 11:27 PM

First our hydraulic motor dies in Sequoia NP and now in Death Valley NP were having generator/power issues.

Everything was working fine yesterday, we are boondocking at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley, have been here since Thursday night. This morning generator won't start unless Aux power switch is held down. Release Aux switch generator shuts off. We switched over to a shore power site and now none of the house lights work (outlets do work). We check the voltage on the batteries, fuses, breakers... Anything we can think of. Inverter says it's charging. So what are we missing? What could be wrong?

dan-nickie · 02-15-2015, 12:46 AM

So, are you saying that your house batteries show at least 12.6 volts?

Have you been running off battery power alone for 3 days?

Btw do you know how to set your auto generator start to crank up to keep your battery from running dead?

Kelsma03 · 02-15-2015, 12:56 AM

Yes the batteries are reading at least 12.6 (absorb charging up 14). We have been able to use the generator during the day but have not been connected to shore power since Thursday morning when we left Santa Clarita.

dan-nickie · 02-15-2015, 08:14 AM

Well, seems like it's probably going to be something too technical for me.
I'll let some more experienced folks try to help with that and I'm sure some will be along shortly. Good luck. Dan

I-RV · 02-15-2015, 08:39 AM

Could it be something so simple as the Battery Disconnect switch at the doorway being Off? More complicated the that this switch must connect to a power relay somewhere. Sorry, but I can't help you with where it is.
Good Luck, Hank

dmdrj5 · 02-15-2015, 08:43 AM

Do the lights work if you unplug from shore power? Are all of your other electrical appliances working?

Good luck,
Don

Kelsma03 · 02-15-2015, 12:49 PM

With the engine running everything works fine.

To start generator must hold down aux start and keep it held down or generator stalls out (so only drawing power from aux batteries).

Hooked up to shore power, 110v items work, 12v do not.

Battery disconnect is in Use mode... Unless there is a hidden fuse or switch we don't know about.

I-RV · 02-15-2015, 03:40 PM

The Battery Disconnect switch does not by itself disconnect the Battery. It sends a control signal to a more powerful relay solenoid, for which I do not know where located. The red light next to the Battery Disconnect should be lit.
Hank

beipers · 02-16-2015, 09:02 AM

I'd check the battery disconnect in the battery compartment. If everything works fine with the engine running, the issue is between the batteries and the fuse box. The wiring for the inverter is separate and does not run through the disconnect. There should be a diagram on the compartment door. The isolator between house and chassis battery is downstream from the batteries and possibly a mega fuse. That's where I'd start.

The disconnect switch at the door powers one of the large silver relays in the paid cabinet under the drivers seat. I had the chassis one stick.

Kelsma03 · 02-16-2015, 12:18 PM

It was a mega fuse. Thanks for the suggestions. Why do these things always happen when we are in the hinterlands of national parks with no cell service or Internet connect? THAT is the real question!

outloud · 02-16-2015, 04:54 PM

Check breakers on inverters there is 2 one ac 1 dc

dan-nickie · 02-16-2015, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelsma03

It was a mega fuse. Thanks for the suggestions. Why do these things always happen when we are in the hinterlands of national parks with no cell service or Internet connect? THAT is the real question!

You and this guy should get together:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...sed-72900.html

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