Forum Discussion

GreenReaper's avatar
GreenReaper
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015

No 12vdc

Here we go. We have a 2005 Bounder, gas, workhorse chassis. When not connected to shore power we do not have 12vdc in the coach. Just replaced the coach batteries, originals were two 12v deep cycle batteries. Two more things, I have one heavy wire on the left side of the batt compartment that I don't know which terminal it connects to. Now here is the kicker, with all batteries disconnected, both the coach batteries and the chassis battery, no shore power, I have one terminal in the battery control box that is showing 17vdc. Any ideas out there in RV land? Help or suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
Class A
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Aug 12, 2015
    The cable with 17 volts is probably the Power Converter feed. Without a battery (load) connected, it is outputting full unregulated charge. Doug
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Aug 12, 2015
    I think the best solution since you are obviously electrically ignorant is to pay a RV technician to get things working for you then give you some basic education. Would be far cheaper to pay him for 4 hours than thousands if you screw up something.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Aug 12, 2015
    You should have a switch near the door that turns the 12 volts on and off. It controls a solenoid that often fails. Many people just bypass this switch if they fail they do not need to turn the 12 volts on and off as they leave or enter the coach.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 12, 2015
    Cycle the battery disconnect
    Check for dropped wire at the batteries.
    There should be a circuit breaker adjacent to the batteries. It could have a reset button.
  • MNtundraRet's avatar
    MNtundraRet
    Navigator
    Aug 12, 2015
    I go with the first reply. You already have a major cable not yet connected. Some RV 's need a connected battery for the 12 volt circuit to work.

    With little knowledge you might connect the batteries backwords or cause an accidental short.

    Best answer for you is to get an expert to connect the cables and watch what he is doing. Reading the manuals may be better than paying for a few hours help since most will not remember what was said by their next trip out.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 12, 2015
    Identify which cable goes to frame..that is ground/negative

    The 2 12V batteries are connected POS/POS and NEG/NEG

    Then Coach POS connects

  • GreenReaper's avatar
    GreenReaper
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2015
    I rewired one house completely to code, ran 220 into one garage to power my stick welder. I also wired the cabin we currently occupy and the unattached garage. Both meet the NEC standards and passed inspection with no problems. I also hold an AS degree in avionics repair (graduated second in my class). I hold the amateur radio Extra Class license and a commercial license,General Radiotelephone Operators License with the radar endorsement. Just for an exercise you might take a look at a practice exam for GROL, you can find it at aa9pw.com just scroll down to commercial, elements 1,3 & 8.
    Have fun, and for those that really tried to help thanks, I'll even sign my name to this one.
    \Michael L Knapik, KN5P

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025