2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador 40PLQUnder the driver seat on the outside is a compartment with a box that contains the battery disconnect solenoid. This solenoid has a nominal 5A fuse in the actuator circuit. Several times, I've lost all DC power to the house and found the cause to be this fuse. The last time it happened, I replaced the fuse with a 10A unit. Yesterday, with the MH parked in my driveway on shore power and the AC running, I locked up the unit and went inside my residence for the evening. This morning when I opened the MH for the day, I found all 12VDC circuits dead and the solenoid fuse blown again, This seems to have happened with no known stimulus.Is this kind of failure well-known and if so, how/why does it happen?Joe

Might consider replaying the relay - there not that expensive. In my rig there are two solenoid/relays. One is a latching battery disconnect intellitec relay which has two fuses ... the other is std solenoid used to combine/disconnect chassis/coach batteries based on the position of the ignition key.

Not common. If you're referring to the salesman switch then they use a latching solenoid (mechanically latched) and draw no power except when you push the button.

The battery disconnect solenoid should be the only draw on the five amp fuse.Power from fuse should go to switch and then return to the coil of the solenoid. I would check the wiring around the switch and solenoid for loose connection and damaged insulation. Switch is normally a double pole double throw momentary switch. Solenoid should draw somewhere around one amp so five amp fuse should be plenty.Verify that previous owner has not connected other load.Locate which solenoid your rig is equipped. There is some rigs that have an electrically held solenoid and not a latching type.I am using solenoid , but I like to call they a relay!

The solenoid is called a "Latching" solenoid. It is called this because once closed or open, it draws NO POWER. So, the 12 volt 5 amp fuse should only blow when the Solenoid is activated or deactivated. If this is the case, the solenoid is probably bad and has a short in the Latching circuit. Another possible cause would be the wiring from the Disconnect switch has a short feeding the solenoid. Can you determine by trial and error if the fuse will blow if you try to Open and close a few times in a row? DO NOT INSTALL A LARGER THAN 5 AMP FUSE. There is a REASON it is on a 5 amp circuit. Is this fuse on the large Circuit Board, or is the fuse attached to the actual Solenoid. Monaco used both types. Doug

Here is link to a common latching relay used as a battery disconnect.Intellitec latching relayThis style is used in some rigsBig BoyMy first guess would be bad rocker switch.

Battery Disconnect Solenoid Fuse | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2020
I would expect a HR to use a mechanical latching solenoid. The above link draws 0.5A, heats up to 168F (from a poster) and is intended for a battery isolator type application.

However, owners make various modifications.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2020
Because of the 10A blown fuse there is more to this story.
joesmail84
Explorer
Apr 25, 2023
Hello, I am experiencing something similar. I press my aux battery switch my 3 amp fuse blows. If I jump the lashing solenoid on the larger positive posts my house power works again. I am not sure if it is the solenoid or something else. Switch seems to work and all wiring looks clean. part number for solenoid is rvc1200. There are other relays and solenoids nearby but not sure what to do? Please help!I bought the solenoid 250$ but have not installed because the fuse blows when I try to turn the battery for the house power on.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2023
Why don't you start a new thread rather than hijack one that is 3 years old? You are more likely to get help that way.
joesmail84
Explorer
Apr 25, 2023
Figured anyone in this thread or that may have fixed there issue from this thread would be most helpful.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 25, 2023
Bobbo wrote:
Why don't you start a new thread rather than hijack one that is 3 years old? You are more likely to get help that way.

Because it’s not hijacking if it’s A. Already a dead conversation. And B. Actually applicable.
Lol
joesmail84
Explorer
Apr 26, 2023
I jumped the terminals the switch uses to turn the solenoid on and off and it worked. Does anyone think a faulty switch would be the issue or a short? Wiring looks clean but switch is 20 years old.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 26, 2023
You jumped the solenoid and then the switch and it worked. That may point to the solenoid drawing more that 3A. I'd try a 5A fuse and measure the amps.

Possibly the switch or wiring could be a factor. BTW "looks clean" doesn't mean the connection is good...
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 26, 2023
BTW "lashing solenoid" Is this a typo? Did you mean latching solenoid?
joesmail84
Explorer
Apr 26, 2023
Yes typo sorry. Thank you for responding. I have not jumped the terminals at the switch. I did try a 5 amp fuse and it blew. I'm going to get a new switch, but I should try jumping terminals at switch first. We Have a trip planned this weekend and not wanting to break anything else. I assume it's the switch or wiring from switch to solenoid. There's multiple solenoids and breakers in that area, hard to follow the wiring.

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