2017 HW316TH with shore power charging issue. Help

seeverest · 05-12-2018, 10:06 PM

I have had the camper stored all winter with it plugged into shore power to keep it all charged up and ready to go. About a week ago the LP/CO2 detector started going off so I opened the camper and reset it. It went off again in about 15 minutes so I pulled the fuse and ordered a new one. Since the LP was off, and there was no reason for the CO2 to be high on the camper. I then noticed tonight that the blue light on the shore power plug was out. So I climbed back into the camper plugged the fuse back in that I took out and checked all the other breakers and fuses to make sure nothing was tripped. Nothing was tripped so I tested the outlet at the pole where I plug the shore power cord in and I’m getting 120. So I plug the cord into the pole and check the plug where the cord plugs into the camper. 120VAC our of the cord. Then I check the battery and I’m getting 13.19 VDC out of the battery. This is where I stopped as it was now dark outside. There are also 2 lights on the plug itself but they are not on a green and a red. I would appreciate any input on this as my next step will have to be pulling the fuse panel to see where my 120 is getting to. Thanks.

**wmtire** · 05-12-2018, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeverest

I have had the camper stored all winter with it plugged into shore power to keep it all charged up and ready to go. About a week ago the LP/CO2 detector started going off so I opened the camper and reset it. It went off again in about 15 minutes so I pulled the fuse and ordered a new one. Since the LP was off, and there was no reason for the CO2 to be high on the camper. I then noticed tonight that the blue light on the shore power plug was out. So I climbed back into the camper plugged the fuse back in that I took out and checked all the other breakers and fuses to make sure nothing was tripped. Nothing was tripped so I tested the outlet at the pole where I plug the shore power cord in and I’m getting 120. So I plug the cord into the pole and check the plug where the cord plugs into the camper. 120VAC our of the cord. Then I check the battery and I’m getting 13.19 VDC out of the battery. This is where I stopped as it was now dark outside. There are also 2 lights on the plug itself but they are not on a green and a red. I would appreciate any input on this as my next step will have to be pulling the fuse panel to see where my 120 is getting to. Thanks.

Most CO detectors have a low voltage alarm to alert you the battery is discharged, and thus the alarm cannot function correctly in order to save your life in case of a danger.

This may be what you were hearing, especially if you lost shore power to the RV, and then the battery depleted due to the CO detector and other parasitic drains. That's just normal if there is no form of shore power to recharge the battery(ies) via the converter.

You are stating you now have shore power, and I am assuming that your converter is working somewhat if you are getting over 13 volts DC on your battery now....and I am also assuming you checked the battery voltage with the cables installed on it, as well as still being connected to shore power (or just recently had)

Now why did you lose shore power or a connection downstream is the question?

What are plugged into for shore power (at home, 15, 30, 50 amp connection---are you using adapters, etc)?

seeverest · 05-12-2018, 10:35 PM

I really am beginning to think the blues LED burnt out on the Furrion plug connector. I just checked again and I’m getting 120 at the GFCI in the camper and I turned the breaker off at the panel for the inverter and tested the battery. It tested at 12.89 with inverter off and with it turned back on it tested 13.60 has anyone seen the LED indicator go bad on the Furrion shore power plug?

**wmtire** · 05-12-2018, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeverest

has anyone seen the LED indicator go bad on the Furrion shore power plug?

All the time:

Here is one thread on it

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ord-65207.html

seeverest · 05-12-2018, 10:50 PM

Cool thanks I think I’m gonna call Furrion on monday and see about some Warranty if I have one. If not the cord and plug are gonna cost me over 160 bucks. Seems like a lot for just a blue LED.

Reverse_snowbird · 05-12-2018, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeverest

Cool thanks I think I’m gonna call Furrion on monday and see about some Warranty if I have one. If not the cord and plug are gonna cost me over 160 bucks. Seems like a lot for just a blue LED.

So is the CO detector still beeping? You might also want to check the smoke detector batteries.

If you don't already have one, you might also want to consider a surge protector or Electrical Management System to protect that rig.

seeverest · 05-12-2018, 11:31 PM

The detector isn’t beeping at the moment but I am still going to change it out as it’s been very glitchy since it was brand new seems like temp changes set it off and I don’t trust it at all to save my life. It has screamed wolf to many times to be taken seriously anymore. And I already bought a replacement. The smoke detector battery is brand new it’s part of my spring cleaning check list. As for a surge protection system what would you recommend? Thanks.

Reverse_snowbird · 05-12-2018, 11:47 PM

Couldn't hurt to replace the alarm, but remember that other things, such as strong cleaning detergent odor can set them off and occasionally a 'gassy' person or pet. In both our rigs, it was a weak battery that set them off.

On our first trailer we had a simple surge protector, reverse polarity and open ground detector. Our current EMS has not only the features of the first one, but a low voltage detector that shuts off the current to the coach when the voltage falls. It turns back on when the voltage returns to normal and has protected our rig on several occasions. It's a cost/benefit decision and both are sold at camping stores (or Amazon).

seeverest · 05-13-2018, 07:12 AM

Thank you for the input. I will see about getting a surge protector

cavie · 05-13-2018, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeverest

Thank you for the input. I will see about getting a surge protector

Surge and EMS. They are two different things. A surge protector only detects High Voltage surges. An EMS gives much more protection. It detects incorrect wiring, high and low voltage and will disconnect the power until proper voltage range is returned.

seeverest · 05-13-2018, 07:31 AM

Thanks for the info

CHICKDOE · 05-13-2018, 08:16 AM

many reports of the blue lights going out on the furrion cords. but the cord itself is still good and usable. you yourself measured 120 out of the cord. no functional need to replace the cord.

CHICKDOE · 05-13-2018, 08:19 AM

forgot to add that the $160 you mentioned would go a long ways towards an ems. get one that has a display that shows the incoming voltage and amperage. now you have actual voltage and amperage levels present as opposed to a blue light.

seeverest · 05-13-2018, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

forgot to add that the $160 you mentioned would go a long ways towards an ems. get one that has a display that shows the incoming voltage and amperage. now you have actual voltage and amperage levels present as opposed to a blue light.

You make a good point. Thanks.

You may also like: