Very confusing elect issue

Kenny7592 · 03-15-2021, 09:45 PM

I just took delivery of a 2021 Salem Hemisphere. Issue is in the furnace. When plugged in to my truck, furnace works perfectly. When plugged in to shore line it works for a couple of hours, then won’t fire(i can smell propane and hear clicking). Plug it back into truck and it fires. I have appointment to tack back to dealer. Problem is its an hour and half away. If there is a simple fix I would rather do that. Thanks in advance.

SeaDog · 03-16-2021, 07:51 AM

welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. I would check the batteries and ensure they are up to 100%

llr · 03-16-2021, 08:03 AM

Does any other 12 volt items (lights, bathroom fan etc) have issues?

When unplugged from 120V AC (shore power) and your truck. Do any 12 volt items work? If not check the battery and connections and see if you have a battery disconnect switch?

Do you have a voltmeter? If not I suggest getting one, even if you are not sure how to use it. They are cheap at harbor frieght and some other places.

**Flybob** · 03-16-2021, 08:03 AM

Sounds like the converter is not charging the batteries. The furnace will shut off if the battery voltage gets below a certain level.

rsdata · 03-16-2021, 08:09 AM

electrical issues are confusing if you don't have even a cheap meter to make some measurements...
pick one up for under $10 at the hardware store, or Harbor Freight.

not plugged into anything, your trailer battery should measure 12.6 VDC or slightly more...

when plugged into the truck with engine running the voltage might creep up to 13+ volts depending on several factors...

unplugged from truck, BUT plugged into 120 VAC shore power, the RV battery (ies) should be charging and measure over 13 volts...

It sounds like your battery is weak and after a couple of hours of running is not strong enough to power the furnace. When you add the truck battery there is enough power for the furnace. Only exact voltage measurements will tell you the real story... you cannot guess at what your battery is doing by just looking at it... you have to make a measurement. Use youtube for a quick course on how to use the DC voltage part of the meter.

Kenny7592 · 03-16-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

Does any other 12 volt items (lights, bathroom fan etc) have issues?

When unplugged from 120V AC (shore power) and your truck. Do any 12 volt items work? If not check the battery and connections and see if you have a battery disconnect switch?

Do you have a voltmeter? If not I suggest getting one, even if you are not sure how to use it. They are cheap at harbor frieght and some other places.

Yes all other 12 volt items seem to be working normal. I’ll pick up a meter and check the batteries. Thanks.

Kenny7592 · 03-16-2021, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

Sounds like the converter is not charging the batteries. The furnace will shut off if the battery voltage gets below a certain level.

I’m thinking converter also. Not very electrically minded, I’ll pick up a volt meter and see what I can figure out.

Kenny7592 · 03-16-2021, 08:20 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice. After talking with some friends and reading your responses, I’m thinking converter issue. Will pick up a volt meter and see what I can find.

llr · 03-16-2021, 10:00 AM

There should be 2 separate heavier fuses in the panel, these are supposed to protect the converter in case the battery is connected backwards. Be sure these are good

Lee Pedrick · 03-16-2021, 10:24 AM

You should NOT smell propane.In that trailer from the heater. Look for a leak!!!!

Kenny7592 · 03-16-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

You should NOT smell propane.In that trailer from the heater. Look for a leak!!!!

To clarify, I dont smell propane inside, it’s outside at the vent during start up.

TitanMike · 03-16-2021, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny7592

To clarify, I dont smell propane inside, it’s outside at the vent during start up.

When a propane fired furnace fires up there will always be a whiff of the odorant added to propane. Once the furnace exhaust heats up it should go away.

dmctlc · 03-16-2021, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny7592

I just took delivery of a 2021 Salem Hemisphere. Issue is in the furnace. When plugged in to my truck, furnace works perfectly. When plugged in to shore line it works for a couple of hours, then won’t fire(i can smell propane and hear clicking). Plug it back into truck and it fires. I have appointment to tack back to dealer. Problem is its an hour and half away. If there is a simple fix I would rather do that. Thanks in advance.

So when you plug it back into your truck does it run as long if not longer than it does when its plugged into shore power? Not to say it isn't whats been suggested but just in case by coming back on when you plug it into your truck could be the results of resetting a relay and given time it may shut down as well. Thanks

bajamike1 · 03-17-2021, 07:35 AM

check to see if the battery disconnect switch is on. if not turn on. if on turn off and then back on. one time mine was on but it was not fully engaged which prevent the inverter from charging the batteries.
good luck

PhilFromMaine · 03-17-2021, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny7592

Yes all other 12 volt items seem to be working normal. I’ll pick up a meter and check the batteries. Thanks.

So to paraphrase, "everything else works when on shore power and when plugged into the running truck. They also work when unplugged."

Is it me or is some pertinent information missing? It all comes down to the state of charge of the battery when the above tests were performed. Did everything work on a fully charged battery and not work on a partially discharged battery?

Once you get a multimeter and learn how to use it properly, perform the same tests accompanied with voltage readings at the battery and precisely write it down. As to the converter, the first thing I would do is verify that the breaker is on at the fuse box. You could also check the DC fuses located in the converter itself.

Kenny7592 · 03-19-2021, 07:56 PM

Took it back to dealer yesterday. Took them all day and had to pull furnace completely out. Found a loose wire causing the system to ground out.

dmctlc · 03-19-2021, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny7592

Took it back to dealer yesterday. Took them all day and had to pull furnace completely out. Found a loose wire causing the system to ground out.

Great news, glad to hear the took care of your problem quickly. Thanks for the update.

BehindBars · 03-19-2021, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny7592

Took it back to dealer yesterday. Took them all day and had to pull furnace completely out. Found a loose wire causing the system to ground out.

Yet another example of how it costs 10 to 100 times more time and money to fix the problem in the field, than if has just been built right at the factory, in addition to the customer aggravation. When will RV companies learn?

Anyway, I’m glad you got it fixed! Happy camping!

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