Electric help.

[Fatnjoe12]

Just got a 1991 cornado. It needs two new coach batteries so I took them out to go get new on Monday. In the meantime I plugged the motorhome into a generator so I could check things out and nothing will work at all. Checked all breakers and fuses and all seem good. Would the batteries being out have anything to do with it?

[RLS7201]

The type of battery charger/converter used in a 1991 MH may not work with out a battery on line.

Richard

[CWDoc115]

Did the power work prior to you buying the coach?

[wa8yxm]

msturtz wrote:
In short yes the 12VDC items may not work. The converter depending on make and model may or may not power up and power the coach with no batteries.

Possibly not.. RV's come in 30 and 50 amp versions, Some have somethign called an Energy management System (There are two devices that carry this name) The one I'm thinking of is the Intelletec (And any competitors) this unit is a computer that monitors power usage and can shut off selected loads as needed to keep you below 29 amps

IT EATS BATTERY POWER and has control over the water heater, A/C's and microwave.

Most other stuff save the TV (And sometimes even the TV) needs 12 volt to work. Firdge, Water heater, Air conditioners all eat 12 volt DC for control purposes.

The other EMS (energy manager/monitor) is the Progressive Industries type.. Though theirs easts 120 from the shore, It is possible a competitor's might eat 12 volt for the computer. Though I've never seen one.. But then I've only seen baswically 4 (30/50 PI/TRC)

There are other posibilities as well.

If this is a trailer (no built in generator) I would start by making a test lamp. This is a 120 volt lamp (Say 15 watt) in a socket with pigtails (you can get such a socket at hardware) extend the pigtials if you wish, put probes on the ends. And using great care cause if you do not very bad thigns can happen "Polk around" See if you have power at the MAIN circuit breaker in the breaker box (Measure to the whtie bus) then at the branch breakers (Same thing) as your first step

IF you are in a motor home with a generator, Then there is the Transfer Switch to consider... It too can (in theory) eat 12 volts.

[eHoefler]

Some coaches have the convertor wired to the batteries, if the battery cables are loose, the convertors power cannot get to the fuse panel. Another scenerio, loose batery cable touched/shorted to ground and blew the fuse on the convertor.

[enblethen]

Please clarify whether any of the 120 volt items work? Microwave? Air conditioner?

[SDcampowneroper]

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Yes and no. Your converter through your Batteries from the 120v ac shore power provide 12v dc power to your lights, water pump, furnace, fridge, etc. - basic essentials.
120v ac shore power is required to power outlets, a/c, microwave etc. and to recharge the batteries via the converter unless you use a generator to power the system.

Batteries out should t make a difference as long as the converter is powered by 120 ac, doing its job to dc., feeding the dc system. ATC Fuses on the converter could be suspect.

[pianotuna]

Except any 120 volt device that has a 12 volt DC control device.

Mandalay Parr wrote:
All your 120volt stuff should work without batteries.

[enblethen]

Genset should power up the converter and supply 120 volt items..
I would start by plugging known good appliance into the genset.
I am guessing that you are using an adapter that may not be any good.
Make and model of genset?

[SDcampowneroper]

Yes and no. Your converter through your Batteries from the 120v ac shore power provide 12v dc power to your lights, water pump, furnace, fridge, etc. - basic essentials.
120v ac shore power is required to power outlets, a/c, microwave etc. and to recharge the batteries via the converter unless you use a generator to power the system.

[Mandalay_Parr]

All your 120volt stuff should work without batteries.

[msturtz]

In short yes the 12VDC items may not work. The converter depending on make and model may or may not power up and power the coach with no batteries.