Forum Discussion

Zanderof's avatar
Zanderof
Explorer
Dec 30, 2013

Ready to call a mechanic....

I've posted a few times on here about our 1997 National RV Dolphin having a slide & jack issue. We found out the reason our jacks are currently not functioning (and engaged in a way that is making the RV rather unlevel), and the reason the living room slide has stopped working (with the slide out)is because even though we took our original 6 volt house batteries in to replace them, pep boys sold us 2 12 volt batteries... we will never make the mistake of not checking voltage again!

We have no manual and haven't been able to find one close enough to a 97. SO we have found it impossible to find all of the fuses and breakers.

We don't know enough about the systems to know how to release the pressure off of the jacks ourselves and with no manual, aren't sure we are comfortable doing it blind! However, with the jacks engaged we can't take it to a mechanic.

Any advice on where to find the fuses or breakers?

We live on a Naval Base in California as my husband is active duty, and are having a hard time finding a mechanic to come all the way out to base. Any advice on how to find a "will travel" mechanic?

Thanks everyone.
Class A
  • Zanderof's avatar
    Zanderof
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2013
    We hooked up the batteries in series so yes we ran 24v through a 12v system without realizing we had 2 12v batteries. All Pep Boys was willing to do is exchange the batteries and give me the names for some mechanics who might be able to help me out
  • bsinmich's avatar
    bsinmich
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2013
    You apparently have internet access so look for the name of the jacks on the RV and then download the manual and troubleshooting guide from them. The 6V batteries were connected in series to give 12V. If you can't get Pep Boys to straighten up the battery mixup you can use 2 12V in parallel for the right voltage. If they were hooked up in series you were putting 24V to the accessories. For parallel battery hookup you put both positives to the positive input on the coach and the 2 negatives to the negative side of the coach wiring. Series has positive of first battery to negative of second and then positive of that battery goes to the positive side of MH. Reverse applies to the negative input side.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2013
    A mobile RV tech is who you are looking for. Get the proper batteries and tell the tech you will pay for him to make the trip. Make sure the tech knows everything before he comes.

    That's the best I can offer at this time.

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