Electrical problem

[gkitchens]

Everything that is run on 12 volts will not come on until I start the motorhome. After a few seconds they all start to work. When I turn the engine off, everything continues to work for awhile but then everything shuts off. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[OhhWell]

Since you are not plugged in and did not run the generator, your house batteries are dead. Since they probably sat for a while completely discharged, unfortunately they might be toast. The engine is charging the battery bank when running and it discharges (quickly) afterwards. You need to get that thing plugged in immediately unless you want to run your engine for 30 hours or so straight.

[JimM68]

kinda sounds like your house shutoff switch is not on?

[2ndhom]

gkitchens wrote:
The batteries are brand new. I have meters on the dash that tells me the voltage for the house batteries and the battery that starts the motor. Before I start the motor the house batteries read zero. After I start the motor the house batteries read 14.2. After I turn the motor off the motor the house batteries stay on for a short period of time and then everything shuts down. I have not tried using the generator or the house current yet. I am going to check the terminals for corrosion and looseness this weekend. If I find that they are clean and tight does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your responses.

New batteries? Could mean the cables were not reassembled correctly.:h

[crasster]

May be horribly dead batteries.... Also check all connections and switches. Sounds strange!

[gkitchens]

The batteries are brand new. I have meters on the dash that tells me the voltage for the house batteries and the battery that starts the motor. Before I start the motor the house batteries read zero. After I start the motor the house batteries read 14.2. After I turn the motor off the motor the house batteries stay on for a short period of time and then everything shuts down. I have not tried using the generator or the house current yet. I am going to check the terminals for corrosion and looseness this weekend. If I find that they are clean and tight does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your responses.

[OnaQuest]

I agree with other replies, your problem is related to your house batteries. Your Bounder has a box called a BCC (Battery Control Center). There are two DC circuit breakers in there that may have tripped, and would cause these symptoms. Most likely, though, you have a bad connection at the batteries (either positive or negative battery cable) or dead batteries for some other reason.

You didn't say whether or not you had 12v operation from shore power? How about, with the generator? If not, then your converter may be bad.

The symptoms you listed are consistent with what one would expect when running, and stopping, the engine. It does indicate that you have all battery switches in the correct position, since the power from the alternator reaches the coach interior lights.

[Dog_Trainer]

When you start the coach you are providing 12 volt through the alternator this should charge your batteries as well as run the 12 volt. If you are plugged in and the coach shut off does the 12 V work? It should work off the converter. So if it works during engine run and when plugged in then the problem points to no charge in the house batteries. Check for proper contact and ground then have batteries checked at a battery store.

[2ndhom]

Dead batts and maybe sooooo dead they won't take a charge !!! Or terminals are overly Corroded. Have your batts checked if you don't have a tester.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Is the disconnect switch for the "house" battery turned off? Are the house batteries well charged?