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Tom_in_Tulsa's avatar
Tom_in_Tulsa
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018

Voltage problems

I seem to have a voltage problem and it is affecting many items in my Class A. I installed 4 new batteries and fuses recently. Here are the problems:
The panel lights are not lighting up.
The refrigerator is not staying on LP during transit.
The drop down windshield shades are not working at all.
The generator is not staying on and is giving up and down voltage readings. BTW, ALL these issues were present BEFORE i put in the new batteries. I tested the old batteries and they were shot.
Related to voltage? I need ideas.
Class A

16 Replies

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  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2018
    Tom in Tulsa wrote:

    I bought this 16 yr old RV from a dieing friend and have poured a bunch of $$$ into it.

    Did your dying friend have any maintenance records for the RV? Maybe they can give you some insight into your problem.
  • Tom_in_Tulsa's avatar
    Tom_in_Tulsa
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2018
    This is a 2002 Monoco La Palma, workhorse chassis. Four new 12 V deep cycle marine batteries and terminals and fuses. They are installed correctly. I get the same reading with the new batteries as i did before. My main battery is 4 years plus old. I do have an inverter, but dont know what it does.
    I bought this 16 yr old RV from a dieing friend and have poured a bunch of $$$ into it.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 12, 2018
    enblethen wrote:
    Batteries being wired wrong would be first thing to check.
    Are they 12 volt batteries or 6 volters?
    Is this on the Monaco on Workhorse chassis?


    I read a story long ago about a RVer who went to a dealer I've done business with and had 'em install brand new 6 Volt batteries. His story was a lot like yours.

    installed WRONG as it turned out.

    That is one mistake that, when a dealer makes it, There is simply NO EXCUSE.. Now I know I have a certificate in electronics and a lot of experience with battery systems.. And not many Dealer Technicians can make that claim but still.. For a dealer to screw up a battery install.

    And yes. I had one do that on my car. Put it in backwards. For about 1 second.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 12, 2018
    Batteries being wired wrong would be first thing to check.
    Are they 12 volt batteries or 6 volters?
    Is this on the Monaco on Workhorse chassis?
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Aug 12, 2018
    i would start by cleaning 'ALL' battery and power cable connections
    then pull . check , and re-seat all the main power DC fuses

    check voltage at the house batteries, OFF, with drive engine running, and shore power, and finally generator

    your converter might be bad
    this will show up as good charge from alternator
    weak bad charging from gennny and shore
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 12, 2018
    OK.....
    If would be of help IF you posted Year/Make/Model of MH along with any other DETAILS....
    DO you have an Inverter
    DO you have a Converter
    Are you on AC Shore Power or strictly batteries
    What is DC Voltage at Batteries
    What is DC Voltage at FUSED DC DIST Panel

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