08 Gearbox electrical questions

[steves1967]

Since the original manufacture no longer supports or has any clue about the Gearbox's... I thought I'd ask here...

The stereo in the TH only works if plugged into shore power or if the genny is on. Is this normal?

The TV and all the 110 outlets only work if plugged into shore power or if the genny is on. Is this normal?

If these are normal conditions, is there anyway to change it so the batteries power the stereo/ tv/ outlets?

When dry camping and trying to get the kids settled down in bed watching TV late at night with the genny running isn't the best way to make friends!!

[jonesfromindia]

Any news on this?


I just bought (today) a 295FS 5er and im quite chapped about the 12v stereo that only works when 120v power is supplied.


Thanks

[steves1967]

hmm, wonder if the 45 amp converter is not working correctly? Off the converter there is a fuse block with three wires coming off it, blue, purple, and yellow.

[nuggetthunter]

I have a 2007 Gearbox 26FS. I also have the Kenwood with the Kenwood amp. My unit has a separate switch in the panel by the door that controls the power to the stereo. Also have a separate switch that controls the outside speakers. Yours may be the same.

[ljbsvt]

My Gearbox has two converters in it as well.
I was told that they put the additional converter in when they upgraded to the "rock the box" stereo system because of the additional draw of the amp.

On mine, the stereo plays off the 12v just fine - there is a fuse for the stereo that is by the circuit breakers in the underbelly. Mine is also a Kenwood deck and Kenwoood amp.

I have put a Xantrex 1800 watt inverter to run the TV's and such off the batteries - one of the best improvements you can make.

[time2roll]

A 300 watt inverter will power the radio and tv just fine.
Fairly easy self install if you have done any home wiring before.

[Y-Guy]

That bundle of wire is bizarre, did you trace it back to the converter? Like something was just removed?

Do you have 2 converters? I can't say I've ever run across an RV with two before.

[steves1967]

Both batteries check out good too. All the 12volt acc. work as they should- heater, A/C, air compressor, slides, lights, water pumps, landing gear, bunks in the garage, ect....

[steves1967]

The stereo is a kenwood car stereo, along with the amp that powers the inside and outside speakers. I started tracing wires this morning, and after 3 hours Ive given up for the day. It seems that Fleetwood was pretty good at using the same color and size wire for a lot of different pieces. Also found a bunch of cut wires that go to nothing, and came from nothing- but were bundled together!!

I'll try again next week, and if nothing else I'll run new wires from the batteries to the stereo.

I still haven't been able to find where the power source is for the stereo though. Does it come from one of the WFCO converters? I have a 45amp and a 75amp mounted in the underbelly

[allcool]

All the outlets are 120v and needs genny or shore power. Unless you have an inverter installed on some of the outlets. Then make sure it is turned on/connected correctly.
Inverters are sometimes optional from manufactures in the era of your TH, but mostly aftermarket accessories. The built in ones might have a switch or breaker mounted somewhere...

Imo, the stereo should work on 12v. How are your batteries doing...? You know what voltage they are at when you try to run the stereo..?
Most newer stereo's won't run when the voltage gets low. Your lights, water pump, etc will run, but a little on the slow/dim side.
It makes sense that the stereo runs when on shore power, since then the convertor is supplying 12v to a possibly bad battery bank, just one possibility...>
Check your battery bank.

jmo

[beemerphile1]

Yes, and yes. You will need an inverter to accomplish what you want. You may also need more batteries.

Do a search on the forum for inverter threads. It can be simple or it can be complex based on your needs.

[Y-Guy]

Stereo sounds like its a 110v unit, which is strange most I've seen are all 12v like you're average car stereo. If you can let us know the brand and model perhaps we can verify.

As for the TV & other outlets, yes it's totally normal. Those are 110v AC you're batteries produce 12v DC. You can buy an inverter to take the 12v DC into 110v AC, but depending on the item it can quickly drain your batteries if you don't have a several installed. You can't effectively change every outlet, but an inverter properly placed could power your TV.

A good place to start learning about all of this is, The 12volt Side of Life.

We try to limit TV when we dry camp, but an iPad with a movie or laptop can help out too.