DC Down

[Coelacanth]

Folks,
A few days ago I went out to start the generator on my '96 Itasca Suncruiser for just it's regular monthly warmup when I noticed that I had no DC cabin power. This is all of a sudden. For months (years?) all has been fine.

I expected it might be a battery issue, even though I keep the batteries connected to microchip style battery monitors when the rig is being stored. But, the batteries tested fine using a multimeter. And, when I attached 12v bulbs to the battery directly they lit normally. The minders indicate full/normal status.
But, when I try to start the generator all I get is solenoid clicking noises.

The engine starts normally, but I know that uses a separate battery circuit.

Is there a main DC fuse that might have blown? I cleaned the negative line where it bolts to the the frame. The terminals themselves do not appear corroded.

I'm at a loss.

:?

[wa8yxm]

NOTE: the purpose of this post is to suggest POSSIBLE issues and options.

On my coach there is a disconnect, most all (of not all) motor homes have them, I won't bother you with where mine is since you already looked there.

BUT. In addition to this switch, the diagrams for the battery control center installed in my coach call for a pair of 30 amp PUSH TO RESET circuit breakers in the bottom of the box,, You have to push in very very hard on these to reset.

I do not have those either.. I have a self resetting thermal breaker next to the box.

Some RV's have fuses or "Stand alone" breakers (like mine some self resetting some push button to reset)

And finally we have the ever popular bad connection.

There is more but that is more specific to my coach than yours.

IF you have an AUX battery switch.. that is your disconnect control, the actual disconnect may be elsewhere.

[Dutch_12078]

Coelacanth wrote:

O.K., this falls into the "huh?" category.

I went out to the rig, figured I'd see if the RV motor would start. It always has, so far.
Yep. No problem.
So, then...just for hoots, I thought that if I held down the Aux Battery button on the dash that maybe the generator would kick over. Well, I'll be dipped. It started first kick.
Then I checked the interior cabin lights. Fine.

So, I let the engine and the generator run for 20 minutes while I did a few other chores.
I then went back, shut down the generator & turned off the ignition.
I figured, here goes. I hit the interior light switch and the room lights came on as they normally would.

Must be gremlins!?
Or, more realistically a loose connection somewhere??

I'm going to try again later and see how we stand.

:h

The battery disconnect solenoid on many rigs will automatically connect when the converter turns on. Firing up the generator or plugging into shore power would both do that.

[Dutch_12078]

Lt46 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I'm surprised that a '96 Winnie does not have a battery disconnect, usually located near the entry door, but the generator clicking suggests a very low voltage condition, rather than a blown fuse. Our '95 Coachmen Class A did have a 150 amp main fuse for the coach DC, but it was attached to the battery disconnect solenoid. When it blew, it also removed all power to the generator starter as well as the cabin.

You won't find it at the door, it's on the leftside of the dash, under the Aux.Batt. switch. At least that's where it is on my 97.

Ahh, ok, I figured it had to be somewhere. 🙂

[Coelacanth]

Lt46 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I'm surprised that a '96 Winnie does not have a battery disconnect, usually located near the entry door, but the generator clicking suggests a very low voltage condition, rather than a blown fuse. Our '95 Coachmen Class A did have a 150 amp main fuse for the coach DC, but it was attached to the battery disconnect solenoid. When it blew, it also removed all power to the generator starter as well as the cabin.

You won't find it at the door, it's on the leftside of the dash, under the Aux.Batt. switch. At least that's where it is on my 97.

Thanks.
I'll check first thing in the AM.

😉

[Lt46]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I'm surprised that a '96 Winnie does not have a battery disconnect, usually located near the entry door, but the generator clicking suggests a very low voltage condition, rather than a blown fuse. Our '95 Coachmen Class A did have a 150 amp main fuse for the coach DC, but it was attached to the battery disconnect solenoid. When it blew, it also removed all power to the generator starter as well as the cabin.

You won't find it at the door, it's on the leftside of the dash, under the Aux.Batt. switch. At least that's where it is on my 97.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Still sounds lik bad battery.

[Coelacanth]

Coelacanth wrote:

MountainAir05 wrote:
Disconnect the house battery Ground and connect the 1 good battery that you have to the positive and neg cable using jumper cables. You only have one good battery, Generator should start, if just clicking check the starter.

Going to do it now.

:W

O.K., this falls into the "huh?" category.

I went out to the rig, figured I'd see if the RV motor would start. It always has, so far.
Yep. No problem.
So, then...just for hoots, I thought that if I held down the Aux Battery button on the dash that maybe the generator would kick over. Well, I'll be dipped. It started first kick.
Then I checked the interior cabin lights. Fine.

So, I let the engine and the generator run for 20 minutes while I did a few other chores.
I then went back, shut down the generator & turned off the ignition.
I figured, here goes. I hit the interior light switch and the room lights came on as they normally would.

Must be gremlins!?
Or, more realistically a loose connection somewhere??

I'm going to try again later and see how we stand.

:h

[Coelacanth]

MountainAir05 wrote:
Disconnect the house battery Ground and connect the 1 good battery that you have to the positive and neg cable using jumper cables. You only have one good battery, Generator should start, if just clicking check the starter.

Going to do it now.

:W

[MountainAir05]

Disconnect the house battery Ground and connect the 1 good battery that you have to the positive and neg cable using jumper cables. You only have one good battery, Generator should start, if just clicking check the starter.

[Coelacanth]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I'm surprised that a '96 Winnie does not have a battery disconnect, usually located near the entry door, but the generator clicking suggests a very low voltage condition, rather than a blown fuse. Our '95 Coachmen Class A did have a 150 amp main fuse for the coach DC, but it was attached to the battery disconnect solenoid. When it blew, it also removed all power to the generator starter as well as the cabin.

The battery box is under the stairs.
I don't see a disconnect either in the compartment, or in the manual.
I'm confused as to why adding a third, 100% charged battery had no affect??

[Dutch_12078]

I'm surprised that a '96 Winnie does not have a battery disconnect, usually located near the entry door, but the generator clicking suggests a very low voltage condition, rather than a blown fuse. Our '95 Coachmen Class A did have a 150 amp main fuse for the coach DC, but it was attached to the battery disconnect solenoid. When it blew, it also removed all power to the generator starter as well as the cabin.

[Coelacanth]

rcmiller32 wrote:
Check the voltage at the generators starter solenoid. Check both the battery side and the starter motor side. Could be a bad solenoid. Also check for ground cables from generator to the mounting tray of the generator. And mounting tray to frame of vehicle. If possible have a load test done at the starter solenoid battery terminal. Could have a bad connection or cable going to generator.

Will do.
But, how does this relate to no house DC either?

:?

[rcmiller32]

Check the voltage at the generators starter solenoid. Check both the battery side and the starter motor side. Could be a bad solenoid. Also check for ground cables from generator to the mounting tray of the generator. And mounting tray to frame of vehicle. If possible have a load test done at the starter solenoid battery terminal. Could have a bad connection or cable going to generator.

[Coelacanth]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
If a main fuse was out, I don't think you would hear a click.
It might be hard but measure the voltage at the generator starter while trying to start it.
Also check all battery and starter ground connections.

Will do.
I'll get back to you.
Thanks.

😉