12v Relays not activating

[Danandtina]

I am having a 12v issue related to the relays. Two will not engage and the 3rd will not disengage when using the "store/use" toggle switch in the coach. When I toggle the switch, number 3 activates, shutters and attempts to open, but does not. The attached picture shows the 3 relays; reading left to right, number 1 is first and number 3 is last. When I manually depress the contact plates of number 1 and 2, I get 12v power in the coach. For the purpose of process of elimination, I also picked up a replacement "store/use" toggle switch, but no difference. What would cause the solenoids not to activate?

[bclemens]

brand, model, year?

[Danandtina]

Sorry, I thought that would have come up as part of my profile. 2015 Dynamax DX3 TSR

[Danandtina]

This is my first day on the forum, so still learning proper posting process.

[bclemens]

No worries.....just figured we would get that out there. You can put that in your signature and then its with every post.

I'll have to look into this on...a '15 is before I came over.

[milkman55]

Originally Posted by Danandtina

Sorry, I thought that would have come up as part of my profile. 2015 Dynamax DX3 TSR

Click on UserCP, Edit Signature and enter your rig info. It will post on all messages.

Welcome to the forum.

[AWF1945]

Originally Posted by Danandtina

I am having a 12v issue related to the relays. Two will not engage and the 3rd will not disengage when using the "store/use" toggle switch in the coach. When I toggle the switch, number 3 activates, shutters and attempts to open, but does not. The attached picture shows the 3 relays; reading left to right, number 1 is first and number 3 is last. When I manually depress the contact plates of number 1 and 2, I get 12v power in the coach. For the purpose of process of elimination, I also picked up a replacement "store/use" toggle switch, but no difference. What would cause the solenoids not to activate?

Where are these located?

[Blackrock]

Sounds like a faulty ground to me. The ground is probably on the frame and is either loose or corrode with road grime.

[Danandtina]

The relays are located in the electric bay, one behind the battery bay on drivers side. I did learn something tonight that might help in diagnosis. There are two "use/store" switches on the panel at the entry door. One is for coach and the other for chassis. The chassis switch activates relay 1, and works fine. I was able to get 12v to the coach by manually making contact with relay 2. Here is what is odd, when you toggle the "use/store" for coach, relay 3 activates, but stays connected; you can see it and hear it, but again it stays connected, yet relay 2 never activates or moves, yet it is the one that gives the coach 12v power. So at this point I do not think it is a switch issue, but rather an issue with relay/solenoid 2. I have no idea what relay 3 does since it will not retract breaking contact.
Another thing to know is that the rig came with a 110v residential refrigerator now replaced with a Norcold AC/LPG. One person I spoke to thought relay 3 may have been for the old refrigerator. That does not make total sense as the fridge is AC/LPG.

[AWF1945]

Is that green light illuminated on the isolator? Could be the relay itself, or the isolator. Don't think the refrigerator would have anything to do with it .

[AWF1945]

When your plugged in or on generator everything should work. If not on generator or shore power this isolator will automatically isolate batteries to save power.. when it does one of the red LED lights for chassis batteries at the entry door will go out. Even with switch on. You can turn off the switch and back on and it reconnects. Hope this makes sense..

[TitanMike]

When diagnosing problems with relays that don't function locate the activating wire(s) and see if there is power there when the relay is supposed to be activated. It's a matter of following the power from where it starts (selector switch) to where it should be (relay coil). If power arrives at relay but still no joy, check to make sure there is a return path to the battery or commonly referred to as the Ground. There can be a fault (corrosion, bad connection, etc) at either end, the relay or the battery.

If there is a good ground and power to the relay, yet still no function, then, and only then, should the relay be replaced.

Another way to check relays is to remove the control wire(s) and use a known source of 12v power to see if you can activate. A long wire from a live 12 volt terminal and a short wire clamped to a known grounding surface will allow you to check in place (make sure the control wires are removed from their terminals).

Lots of things can happen to wires. Get pinched, snagged and cut, corroded connections, etc.


FWIW, I hate mechanical relays that are activated for long periods of time (continuous duty) as they can often get hot and fail. Would prefer solid state devices for things like isolators, etc.

[AWF1945]

Just wondering if you've found the problem yet..

[Danandtina]

You are correct that everything does work when on generator or shore power. I must admit I am confused on the second part. But it sounds like you are suggesting I run the generator (which will not start because of the open relay) or hook up to shore power and then toggle the switch? The chassis relay and switch are working fine, its the coach relay that is not activating.

[Danandtina]

I have not had a chance to go back to it over the last couple of days, but I too thought about seeing if would activate with a remote power source. This was my next move. I will let you know the results. As far as battery or ground connections, all are clean and good.

[Danandtina]

Hello, were you able to find any further information on my challenge? Would you be able to supply the wiring schematic for the relay area?

[AWF1945]

Bclemons ^^^^

[bclemens]

First off, what problem are we trying g to solve? I’m not saying the relays are or aren’t working as described, but what problem is the coach exhibiting that brought you to the relays?

[AWF1945]

They way I understand it is hes not getting 12v into the coach and has it isolated to this relay located in the automatic battery isolator unit

[Danandtina]

My end issue is no 12v power to the coach. Since the relay does not close and make contact, all 12v power is stopped at that point.