Hi everyone, first post here.This question is in regards to an early 2000s Gulf Stream Seahawk 5th wheel RV.I've never owned an RV myself, but I've lived in trailer that I gutted and customized with AC power, water, etc.I was trying to help a friend get AC power to her outlets while off grid, and thought I could just connect an inverter to her battery and then run an extension cord to the shore power plug. What I didn't realize was that there is a DC converter/charger that tries to charge the battery and provides DC power while shore power is connected.Having hooked it all up and trying it, AC and DC power were now both working, however, after turning the inverter off (after seeing a pretty big voltage drop on the battery due to the charging loop) the DC power no longer works while the inverter isn't running.I've looked through every panel I can find, and I did locate the main fuse/breaker panel, but all of the fuses were intact, and no breakers were tripped. However, I've tested the blocks where the DC power comes to the panel and it isn't receiving any voltage.I was able to find one point where the heavy gauge DC wiring terminates (where it connects to the hydraulic pump) and was able to find the expected voltage there, but somewhere between there and the main panel something has burned out or tripped, but I'm not able to find it.Does anyone know the solution to this, or can you point me in the right direction?I'm planning to call Gulf Stream tomorrow, but I thought I'd try my luck here in the mean time.Thanks!Ben

Get a Generator/Inverter and power the rig through the shore power connection. Then the converter will do its job of providing AC and DC.

Thanks Bob,The problem I'm trying to fix is that I'm not able to "go back" to the pre-inverter setup. When shore power is disconnected the previous DC-only setup no longer works. It seems like something is tripped or burned out and DC power is no longer reaching the main fuse block from the battery.But it DOES work if shore power is connected. I'd like the option of being able to use that setup because inverting, then converting back to DC wastes a lot of power when off-grid and relying on solar/battery power.

Assuming you are trying to run on battery power only... measure the battery voltage. Then check the voltage along the path to the stack of 12v fuses. Somewhere you will find the voltage drops to zero. Tighten, clean, adjust, repair, replace the issue at that point. BTW if battery voltage is less than 12.4 get a charger on it.Otherwise if you are plugged in you should see 120v at all the branch circuit breakers. You should also have about 13.6 volts DC coming out of the converter, 13.6 VDC at the stack of 12v fuses, and 13.6 VDC on the battery. Again poke around with your voltmeter to find the point of issue if power is not getting to all components.

I’m confused, if you can plug into shore power, why do you need an inverter?

Look for fuse or CB near the battery. Could also be wiring issue including ground. A DVM is your friend.

DC power issue after installing inverter | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 26, 2020
Your final results will vary depending upon battery capacity, inverter size and AC load. It already sounds like an inadequate battery.

It's best to start with a energy audit to determine the needs etc especially in this case the AC draw. Are you aware that an inverter will draw about 11A DC for every 1A AC produced?

And yes some use a manual setup and turn off the charger when using the inverter as you tried. Others have a automated system.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 26, 2020
Look for fuse or CB near the battery. Could also be wiring issue including ground.

A DVM is your friend.
larry_cad
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2020
I’m confused, if you can plug into shore power, why do you need an inverter?
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 26, 2020
Assuming you are trying to run on battery power only... measure the battery voltage. Then check the voltage along the path to the stack of 12v fuses. Somewhere you will find the voltage drops to zero. Tighten, clean, adjust, repair, replace the issue at that point. BTW if battery voltage is less than 12.4 get a charger on it.

Otherwise if you are plugged in you should see 120v at all the branch circuit breakers. You should also have about 13.6 volts DC coming out of the converter, 13.6 VDC at the stack of 12v fuses, and 13.6 VDC on the battery. Again poke around with your voltmeter to find the point of issue if power is not getting to all components.
bchoate
Explorer
Jul 26, 2020
Thanks Bob,

The problem I'm trying to fix is that I'm not able to "go back" to the pre-inverter setup. When shore power is disconnected the previous DC-only setup no longer works. It seems like something is tripped or burned out and DC power is no longer reaching the main fuse block from the battery.

But it DOES work if shore power is connected. I'd like the option of being able to use that setup because inverting, then converting back to DC wastes a lot of power when off-grid and relying on solar/battery power.
WNYBob
Explorer
Jul 26, 2020
Get a Generator/Inverter and power the rig through the shore power connection. Then the converter will do its job of providing AC and DC.

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