I got a new motorhome (1990 Tioga) and am working on sorting out a few issues before our first outing. All the electrical components work when on shore power. When I uplug and hit the switch to turn on the coach battery I get nothing but a click. Once the lights worked briefly and then quit.I traced the wires from the switch back to the source of the sound. I searched around and as best I can tell this relay isolates the house/chassis batteries from discharging one another, but allows them both to be charged?When I jump across the relay everything works as I would expect.Now for the questions -Is this relay something that can be repaired or does it just need to be replaced?Is this system a good way to go? Is this a good time to upgrade to something more reliable, easier or better?Thanks for the help.

If it really is bad, it needs to be replaced. They are not built to be taken apart....usually.But first, have you checked the voltage on the house batteries ?My guess is that the relay won't hold if the voltage is too low.

Take it off. Take it apart by undoing the four Philips head screws. There is a big washer inside that gets arced over preventing electric flow. Burnish the washer and contacts then use some conductive grease. Vaseline in a pinch. Problem solved. I have done this twice

Turn the switch on while in use and plugged in to actually charge the battery. Then the battery should have a full charge as you unplug.What is the battery voltage?If the battery actually reads 12.5+ volts you just need to track down the open circuit. Some point will have 12v on one side and 0v on the other. Tighten, clean, repair, replace or adjust that item.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

darsben wrote:Take it off. Take it apart by undoing the four Philips head screws. There is a big washer inside that gets arced over preventing electric flow. Burnish the washer and contacts then use some conductive grease. Vaseline in a pinch. Problem solved. I have done this twice^^^^this^^^^

electrical switching issues | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
Never heard of Essex type- are they latching relays?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015
I use Essex tower type solenoids and in twenty years I have disassembled and cleaned the contact disc and studs - exactly NUNCE. Salesmen switch circuits seem to exist, solely to fail one way or 100 others and drive the owner nuts.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015
darsben wrote:
then use some conductive grease. Vaseline in a pinch. Problem solved. I have done this twice

Di-electric grease is NOT conductive and neither is Vaseline and neither should be put directly on contact surfaces.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
Adding to the just repair it camp- a cutaway of what that latching relay is like inside- note the washer darsben mentioned- usually they have grease in them which has solidified, keeping it from making contact. Clean, polish and regrease and you're good to go.

When you press the switch to connect, the polarity of the coil pulls the rod magnet to hold the plunger down- when you push disconnect, the coil polarity is reversed, pushing the rod out of the way.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
Are you trying this with the coach running or shut off?

If it's running and jumping the relay makes a difference, it's bad. If it's off, it's supposed to be isolated.

In any event it sounds like your house batteries aren't charged.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
darsben wrote:
Take it off. Take it apart by undoing the four Philips head screws. There is a big washer inside that gets arced over preventing electric flow. Burnish the washer and contacts then use some conductive grease. Vaseline in a pinch. Problem solved. I have done this twice

^^^^this^^^^
1492
Moderator
Jun 04, 2015
Moved from Forum Technical Support
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 04, 2015
Turn the switch on while in use and plugged in to actually charge the battery. Then the battery should have a full charge as you unplug.

What is the battery voltage?

If the battery actually reads 12.5+ volts you just need to track down the open circuit. Some point will have 12v on one side and 0v on the other. Tighten, clean, repair, replace or adjust that item.
darsben
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
Take it off. Take it apart by undoing the four Philips head screws. There is a big washer inside that gets arced over preventing electric flow. Burnish the washer and contacts then use some conductive grease. Vaseline in a pinch. Problem solved. I have done this twice
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015
If it really is bad, it needs to be replaced. They are not built to be taken apart....usually.

But first, have you checked the voltage on the house batteries ?
My guess is that the relay won't hold if the voltage is too low.

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electrical switching issues

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