Hello all,I have a new to me 2002 Coachmen Cross Country 354. 5.9l Cummins and 7500 Onan quite diesel gen. My problem is, when I'm plugged in to a 30 or 50 amp supply or running the generator, it doesn't appear my house batteries are charging. The lights are dim, furnace doesn't work, etc. Funny thing is, the microwave will work though. When I start the Cummins everything works as it should and the battery meter shows they are charging. Any suggestions? The problem just started this morning so I haven't had time to trouble shot, although the other day my generator quit working and was flashing the 38 code. Any and all suggestions are appreciated as its cold here and would like to get some heat without running the main engine! HahaJordan

When you start the engine, the alternator is charging all of your batteries, both house and chassis. When on shore power or generator, it is probably your inverter/charger that is supposed to keep your HOUSE batteries charged. Make sure that your inverter is turned on and that the charger portion of the inverter is set up properly to charge the type of batteries that you have.

It sounds like your converter for 12 volts has died. There is no charger output. When you start the motor the alternator is charging the batteries.Look for it in one of the bays and see if the breaker on it has tripped or a breaker in the main panel could have tripped and it is not coming on.

You may not have a inverter/charger... just a 12V converter which is usually in the Bedroom. If you have a panel with a bunch of 12V spaded fuses that hums... it's not charging your batteries. If none of the above suggestions work, I'd go buy a $40 battery charger for now. If you do not have a inverter/charge I'd probably get one and not fix the cheap converter that's usually a single stage boil the water out of your batteries charger.

If the output from the inverter/charger is okay, look for a circuit(CB)breaker between the inverter/charger and the batteries. To check the CB. put a jumper wire across the the terminals and the plug into shore power. If the batteries start charging, then the CB is bad. CB's can be purchased at most automotive parts stores; just take the bad CB with you to get the correct size CB. I wish you the best.Ray

It kinda sounds like whatever device coachman put in there to charge the house batteries from the engine alternator is "Stuck".Or maybe your converter is bad or the fuse feeding it is blown.

Funky situation on our first trip with our DP! Please Help

22 Replies

ROYBUCK
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I had the same problem that Mike did, same fuse. 67cutlass I didn't know I had a 300 fuse either until it went bad. Roy
67Cutlass
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
jwilson32 wrote:
Hello all,

I have a new to me 2002 Coachmen Cross Country 354. 5.9l Cummins and 7500 Onan quite diesel gen. My problem is, when I'm plugged in to a 30 or 50 amp supply or running the generator, it doesn't appear my house batteries are charging. The lights are dim, furnace doesn't work, etc. Funny thing is, the microwave will work though.

When I start the Cummins everything works as it should and the battery meter shows they are charging.

Any suggestions? The problem just started this morning so I haven't had time to trouble shot, although the other day my generator quit working and was flashing the 38 code.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated as its cold here and would like to get some heat without running the main engine! Haha

Jordan

Is the 12v disconnect switch in the off position. Our 2003 Cross Country would not charge if that switch was off.
67Cutlass
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
gfs1943 wrote:
Remote possibility, but if you do have an inverter/charger, there should be a large (200-300 amp) fuse in the line between the inverter and the battery. It should be located within a couple of feet of the battery. That fuse could be blown, not allowing power from the inverter/charger to the battery.

We had a 2003 Cross Country. There is no 200 amp breaker that I was aware of. We had that motorhome for 10 years.
Twomed
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
12 volt side of life

If you read through the link above it will help you understand all the answers you are getting. All good suggestions...and one of them is probably right on the money. :)
mike_brez
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Mine was doing the same thing and it was the 300amp fuse.
gfs1943
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Remote possibility, but if you do have an inverter/charger, there should be a large (200-300 amp) fuse in the line between the inverter and the battery. It should be located within a couple of feet of the battery. That fuse could be blown, not allowing power from the inverter/charger to the battery.
fitznj
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
It's your inverter/converter is not functioning; You've got 110V coming in
but not 12V going out. Located your inverter/converter and check it - it should be humming and most have a small cooling fan. Mine has a set of LED
which indicate if it's working - also check the fuses on the inverter/converter.

If you are on the road - I suggest going to Walmart and getting a battery charger; Plug it into 110V outlet and use it to charge your batteries. I did this when my inverter died (a rodent decided to lie on it during a cold night and killer the inverter and committed suicide.....)
JimM68
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
It kinda sounds like whatever device coachman put in there to charge the house batteries from the engine alternator is "Stuck".

Or maybe your converter is bad or the fuse feeding it is blown.
Raymon
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
If the output from the inverter/charger is okay, look for a circuit(CB)breaker between the inverter/charger and the batteries. To check the CB. put a jumper wire across the the terminals and the plug into shore power. If the batteries start charging, then the CB is bad. CB's can be purchased at most automotive parts stores; just take the bad CB with you to get the correct size CB. I wish you the best.

Ray
Ivylog
Explorer III
Apr 04, 2015
You may not have a inverter/charger... just a 12V converter which is usually in the Bedroom. If you have a panel with a bunch of 12V spaded fuses that hums... it's not charging your batteries. If none of the above suggestions work, I'd go buy a $40 battery charger for now.
If you do not have a inverter/charge I'd probably get one and not fix the cheap converter that's usually a single stage boil the water out of your batteries charger.

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Funky situation on our first trip with our DP! Please Help

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