House Power Problem

ShotgunWriter wrote:
HELP! We need help with a power/electrical issue in our 2004 Holiday Rambler Ambassador.

Went on a little trip over the weekend. We always travel with a dash camera, that is powered by a portable inverter that plugs into our cigarette lighter in the dash. We also had one cell phone plugged into the inverter. Generator not turned on. IS THIS PORTABLE INVERTER POWERED BY HOUSE OR CHASSIS BATTERIES?

After a few hours of driving, the inverter started beeping and had a "low battery" indicator. We turned it off, as we were almost home. WHILE DRIVING, THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD CHARGE BOTH BATTERY BANKS. IF IT DOESN'T, LOCATE THE BATTERY ISOLATOR (DIODE OR SOLENOID BASED) AND CHECK FOR VOLTAGE IN AND OUT TO EACH BANK WITH ENGINE AT AROUND 1100 RPM.

As we arrived home we discovered that we have power to outlets, microwave (THESE ARE 120 VAC), and TV(LIKELY 120 VAC), but not lights (LIKELY 12 VDC) or washing machine (120 VAC). This happened once before, but our house batteries were just low. Charged them up, and everything worked just fine. BATTERIES (12 VDC) SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH POWER TO THE 120 VAC ITEMS IF YOU ARE PLUGGED INTO SHORE POWER OR GENERATOR RUNNING. SAME SYMPTOMS ON GENERATOR?

This time, however, after charging, we still have no power. Batteries are reading full according to voltage meter. All fuses and breaker switches have been checked. Husband says large inverter is good, because he hears it come on, click on as it's supposed to, and it charges the batteries. ASSUME YOU HAVE A BUILT IN INVERTER/CHARGER (NOT THE SMALL PORTABLE ONE MENTIONED ABOVE). AGAIN, SOME OF THESE 120 VAC APPLIANCES (MICROWAVE FOR EXAMPLE) ARE OFTEN WIRED THROUGH THE INVERTER. BUT THE WASHER-- NEVER SEEN THAT WIRED THROUGH AN INVERTER. SO, AT LEAST NO POWER TO THE WASHER WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH SHORE POWER OUTLET YOU ARE PLUGGED INTO, SHORE POWER CORD, ATS, WIRE TO MAIN BREAKER BOX, BREAKER OR WIRING TO WASHER.AGAIN-- SAME SYMPTOMS ON GENERATOR POWER?

We have checked the water level in the batteries and took the batteries themselves to Auto Zone to get checked. All checked out at 100% charge and around 6.5V.

What are we missing? Why do we have no power? And what do we need to do differently in the future to avoid this problem? Thanks in advance!