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professor_dimwi's avatar
professor_dimwi
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015

inexplicable power loss

hello
I have been living in a 1993 monaco dynasty for the last couple of years, having it plugged in to a 220V outlet to power the beast. Until recently, this has been a great arrangement. Every two weeks I will unplug the 220V, start the beast and let her run a bit, bring up the idle for ten minutes or so, then shut her down and plug into the 220V again. This worked until last monday.
Since last tuesday I have no power! Even though I am plugged into the 220V the batteries are freaking out.
Today I pulled the engine battery and found a corroded terminal connector which I replaced. At that time I checked out all the terminals on both coach and engine batteries and everything looked okay. I took em all off, cleaned them and re-connected.
I had a look at the connectors under the engine cover and found one falling off, which I repaired, somehow this fixed the Voltage/amp meter over the door. I charged the two 6 volt batteries, (I call these coach), the monster battery (engine battery?) re-installed and
voila…, did not work. Well, at least I did fix a couple of potentially bad things from getting worse.
Is there some type of junction box that flips from 220V to batteries when unplugged and does the opposite when you plug in?
I am confused and really need help. I am sorry about my inability to express in more
concise terms, just what the hell is going on but I am hoping some RV genius will be able to recognize the problem and the solution.
Many Thanks and keep on rolling.
dave
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2015
    2oldman wrote:
    50a on a 1993 coach?


    The Dynasty is the top of the line Monaco (just below their Prevost conversions), and yes- they had 50 amp service in the '90's.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2015
    I too noticed you said 220 or 240 volt

    Question: is this a USA 50 amp (120/240 volt) RV outlet or are you perhaps not in North America?

    (Folks who jumped on that remember some countries do use 240 volt and the internet is international).

    If you have proper power then check your converter for operation.. Easiest way is to disconnect batteries and see if house lights work.. If not, bad converter, Tripped breaker, Pulled plug Disable, Depending on the converter.

    (I have two, One likes to come unplugged, (it is a plug in model) the other I normally keep disabled,,,save when I find the first is unplugged, ,, usually around 3am)
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Let's go a step further in the diagnoses:

    When plugged in (yes, 50 amp RV has two hots, a neutral and a ground, so 220 VAC between the two hots) do the 120 VAC appliances work-- roof A/C's, microwave, etc?

    If not (i.e. no shore power is getting to coach, assuming you have verified power at the CG outlet and the shore power cord ends are OK, the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) is where to check next (IF YOU ARE SAFE WORKING AROUND 220 VAC. IF NOT GET AN ELECTRICIAN!)

    If these 120 VAC items work, but 12 VDC items don't work (i.e. batteries not being charged, you need to check you charging device. You may have a converter, a charger or inverter/charger. Let us know what you have.

    Last thing, it is NOT good for the engine to be started, but not driven. You can not get a diesel (oil and crankcase) warm enough to get rid of the moisture. If you start a diesel, drive it at least 25 highway miles.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    If the OP has a 50A rig then yes, he's plugging into 220VAC....


    Correct.

    OP, we need more info as to what you mean by not having power. Do you mean nothing at all works or only the 120vac items don't work?

    Tell us what you have in regards to an inverter or converter, generator?

    Just a wild guess on almost no information, is that you have a stuck transfer switch.
  • 100ton's avatar
    100ton
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    If the OP has a 50A rig then yes, he's plugging into 220VAC. It uses a standard range receptacle 14-50R that is considered to be 120/220V by the NEC.
    Though there's nothing in the RV that uses 220V.
    I suspect your converter has failed. Check the voltage at the battery with the converter running and with the rig unplugged.


    Scott,

    Thanks for the reminder. I totally get and know this, however when I read 220 I thought, oh no! Fried! As my 5th wheel is 30 amp, when I hear/read 220 I cringe. ;-)
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 14, 2015
    If the OP has a 50A rig then yes, he's plugging into 220VAC. It uses a standard range receptacle 14-50R that is considered to be 120/220V by the NEC.
    Though there's nothing in the RV that uses 220V.
    I suspect your converter has failed. Check the voltage at the battery with the converter running and with the rig unplugged.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2015
    Most of the items in your older RV are 12V powered by your coach/house batteries and the 12V does not turn on/off when you unplug from the outlet. These batteries are charged by a 120V charger that may be part of a inverter/charger box. Nothing in your RV is 220/240V even though you are plugged into a 240V outlet... you have two 120V inputs.
    Your problem is caused by not getting power to the battery charger and probably other items like the TV and microwave. You probably have a inverter/charger so those last items will work for a while off of your batteries. A inverter converts 12V DC from your batteries to 120V AC for the TV and microwave. Do you have a washer/dryer and if so does it have power?
    If you have a volt meter start at the shore power outlet and check for power there. IF not then start flipping the circuit breakers on/off/on there and inside your MH. Have you tried running your generator to see if things work off of it? You have to isolate where you are loosing the 120V to your battery charger as your batteries are not your problem, just the result of not charging them.
    Check the circuit breakers on the inverter/charger that will be located fairly close to where your power cord goes into the MH as that could be causing your problems.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 14, 2015
    And one thing for sure.......it's NOT 220V

    It's a 50A service with two 120V hot legs that feed power to your AC Dist Panel.

    Check that power pedestal circuit breakers are not tripped....turn them OFF then back ON
    Then check your AC Dist Panel Main Circuit breakers are not tripped...Turn OFF then back ON
    Then check each individual CB in panel not tripped.

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