cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

House Batteries not working?

lthrneck689
Explorer
Explorer
Relatively new to RV'ng, and still getting to know how everything fits together. The way I understand it, I should be able to walk into my RV, and even though I'm not on shore power, and the gen set is not running, I should be able to flick on the lights, or turn on the fans. Well, that doesn't happen. If I plug in, or turn on the Genset, everything works. I thought maybe my batteries were bad, so now I have two brand new deep cycle batteries, and the only thing that works is the step at the door when I open and close the door. Could my converter be bad? Doesn't the converter convert AC to DC? I'm pretty sure it all worked ok when I first bought the rig, but I've never completely boon docked before. Nay help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick
26 REPLIES 26

MDKMDK
Explorer
Explorer
D.E.Bishop wrote:
MDKMDK wrote:
When you post up a question about your rig, it's a good idea to post the year/make/model as well. Helps the troubleshooters.

In most class C/A motorhomes, the power step runs off the chassis battery.
Also, in most motorhomes, the shore power and generator will "light up" the coach without the batteries, so that's why it works when either of those two conditions are met.
Try this. There's a switch to enable/disable your coach batteries, sometimes located just inside the side entry door beside the inside step well. Check to see if that's in the "enabled" position. There may be a little green light on when it's in the enabled position.
Have a look, and post up your results.


MDKMDK's reply is very good except for the part about the chassis battery running the steps in "most" C/A's. If wired correctly, that is not true. Winnebago wires them according to the diagram in Kwikee Manual #888, so did Fleetwood.

The fact that the OP installed new batteries and the steps are now working indicates both dead batteries and that perhaps the steps are not wired correctly. It could also mean that someone modified the wiring.

To answers one of the OP's questions, yes the converter converts AC power to DC power but if you are on battery power the converter is not in the equation at all. As long as you have new batteries, either look up the owners manual and check for a battery disconnect switch. Odds are that if you post the Brand, Model and year of your rig, someone here will have the same rig and can answer your question.

Good luck.


My class A 2016 Sunstar (Winnebago) 26HE steps ran off the chassis battery, and that's the way it was wired at the factory. It's even described as such in the manual. Section 6-6 Electrical - see the section that starts - Chassis Battery....

From the 2016 Sunstar 26HE Owner's Manual......

""ELECTRICAL SYSTEM –
HOUSE 12-VOLT DC
The DC voltage system consists of the chassis
battery, the 12-volt house batteries, and the 12-
volt power converter.
Converter
See “Power Center.”
Chassis Battery
The chassis battery is used to operate the
engine starter and automotive accessories and
controls found on the instrument panel. The
electric step is also connected to the chassis
battery.
See your chassis manual for further
information on chassis batteries and chassis
electrical system.

House Batteries
House batteries are “deep-cycle” type
batteries specially designed for recreational
vehicle use. They will provide longer lasting
power than standard automotive starting batteries
and will withstand the frequent drain-andrecharge
cycles that occur under the demanding
conditions of a camping outing.
The house batteries supply power to 12-volt
equipment located in the living area of the
motorhome. This includes the following 12-volt
powered components (if equipped): interior 12-
volt lighting, range exhaust fan, propane furnace
fan, fresh water pump, systems monitor panel,
refrigerator, roof vent fans, slideout room
systems, and 120-volt electrical generator starter.
The house batteries can also provide
emergency power to start the engine if the chassis
battery is discharged. (See “Battery Boost
Switch” in Section 3 - Driving Your Motorhome).
House batteries are automatically charged by
the chassis alternator while the engine is running.
HOUSE/COACH BATTERY
DISCONNECT SWITCH
(COACH BATT)
The House/Coach Battery Disconnect switch
lets you disconnect the house batteries from the
12-volt system of your coach during storage
periods to avoid battery drain by electrical items
that are hooked directly to the house batteries,
such as clock displays and radio memories, etc.
Always leave this switch connected while
using the coach.""

I would also point out that Winnebago refers to "House" and "Coach" batteries in the last paragraph in the same sense, in other words that they are synonymous. The "Chassis" battery is the one that comes with the chassis (go figure?), from Ford, GM, Mercedes Benz etc..
That's how I've always referred to them, too. My house/coach batteries run the RV systems and the chassis battery starts the engine, and anything else the manufacturer chooses to run off of it. I suspect they do it that way to engage the automatic step retraction safety system, should you start your engine and put the vehicle in drive or reverse without first retracting your entry steps.

EDIT: I admit I generalized when I said "most" C/A power entry steps run off the chassis battery. I made an assumption based on personal experience, and at that point the OP hadn't revealed his year/make/model, so I generalized. My bad.
Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) Navion24V + 2016 Wrangler JKU (sold @ ????)
2016 Sunstar 26HE, V10, 3V, 6 Speed (sold @ 4600 miles)
2002 Roadtrek C190P (sold @ 315,000kms)

kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Explorer
If you didn't get one with the unit, you can download the owners manual for that unit from
www.holidayrambler.com
at the bottom of the page is line for manuals, yours is 141 pages long.

lthrneck689
Explorer
Explorer
Well, it seems to be a "new' issue. It all worked the last time we camped, because the water pump worked, and now it doesn't. Used a multimeter to check voltage at DC fuse panel, and no juice getting to panel from the house batteries. Really weird because my step works, there's a light on next to the enable/disable switch, and the control panel works. The positive cable from the house batteries runs to a box under the camper, and from there, who knows? Sounds like a trip to the RV ER. Thanks, everyone!

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Explorer III
BTW Next time first load check the batteries, free at any auto store. They may have been OK.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
MDKMDK wrote:
When you post up a question about your rig, it's a good idea to post the year/make/model as well. Helps the troubleshooters.

In most class C/A motorhomes, the power step runs off the chassis battery.
Also, in most motorhomes, the shore power and generator will "light up" the coach without the batteries, so that's why it works when either of those two conditions are met.
Try this. There's a switch to enable/disable your coach batteries, sometimes located just inside the side entry door beside the inside step well. Check to see if that's in the "enabled" position. There may be a little green light on when it's in the enabled position.
Have a look, and post up your results.


MDKMDK's reply is very good except for the part about the chassis battery running the steps in "most" C/A's. If wired correctly, that is not true. Winnebago wires them according to the diagram in Kwikee Manual #888, so did Fleetwood.

The fact that the OP installed new batteries and the steps are now working indicates both dead batteries and that perhaps the steps are not wired correctly. It could also mean that someone modified the wiring.

To answers one of the OP's questions, yes the converter converts AC power to DC power but if you are on battery power the converter is not in the equation at all. As long as you have new batteries, either look up the owners manual and check for a battery disconnect switch. Odds are that if you post the Brand, Model and year of your rig, someone here will have the same rig and can answer your question.

Good luck.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Explorer III
lthrneck689 wrote:
Thanks for replying. Could you explain coach vs. chassis? House and coach mean the same and I like house better. Chassis means engine, cab area etc.
Sorry. 2011 Holiday Augusta 25' Class C. When I disable the house batteries(coach?), the red light by the switch goes off, and the step doesn't work. I assume the step is powered by the coach (house) batteries? Sounds correct.
I understand that that shore power and generator will light up the coach, but without either, shouldn't I be able to "light up" the coach? Yes

The DC circuit (fuse) panel is located adjacent to the AC circuit panel. When connected to shore power, or when the gen is on and the AC circuit breaker for the Main and Converter circuits are on, a green light flashes on the DC fuse panel. As I would expect, if I shut off the converter circuit breaker, the green light goes out as well as the coach lights.
A voltmeter is you friend to determine why you are not getting power to the house. It could be a fuse, CB, switch, salesman switch or wiring issue. From your description of the step operation it has house power but not the remaining house items.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob

coolmom42
Explorer II
Explorer II
lthrneck689 wrote:
Thanks for replying. Could you explain coach vs. chassis? Sorry. 2011 Holiday Augusta 25' Class C. When I disable the house batteries(coach?), the red light by the switch goes off, and the step doesn't work. I assume the step is powered by the coach (house) batteries? I understand that that shore power and generator will light up the coach, but without either, shouldn't I be able to "light up" the coach? The DC circuit (fuse) panel is located adjacent to the AC circuit panel. When connected to shore power, or when the gen is on and the AC circuit breaker for the Main and Converter circuits are on, a green light flashes on the DC fuse panel. As I would expect, if I shut off the converter circuit breaker, the green light goes out as well as the coach lights.


"Coach" batteries are the ones under the hood that start the engine. As someone said, likely they power the steps.

"House" batteries are the ones located somewhere under your motor home. They power all the 12V stuff in the RV--water pump, lights, fans, etc. If they are disconnected, and you have no shore or generator power, none of the 12V stuff will work.

The 12V Side of Life is a great resource to help understand all this.
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

lthrneck689
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for replying. Could you explain coach vs. chassis? Sorry. 2011 Holiday Augusta 25' Class C. When I disable the house batteries(coach?), the red light by the switch goes off, and the step doesn't work. I assume the step is powered by the coach (house) batteries? I understand that that shore power and generator will light up the coach, but without either, shouldn't I be able to "light up" the coach? The DC circuit (fuse) panel is located adjacent to the AC circuit panel. When connected to shore power, or when the gen is on and the AC circuit breaker for the Main and Converter circuits are on, a green light flashes on the DC fuse panel. As I would expect, if I shut off the converter circuit breaker, the green light goes out as well as the coach lights.

77rollalong
Explorer
Explorer
try to follow the wire from the positive post and see where it goes, our battery disconnect switch is on the power supply / converter fuse box combo

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
The battery switch(es) are usually next to the door but not always. Depending on the manufacturer they can be in an over cabinet, side wall, etc. There might not be a switch at all but a rotary dial battery disconnect located next to the door or, in the case of the Winnebago Intent, in an outdoor cabinet.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

MNtundraRet
Navigator
Navigator
As mentioned check the switch and push "connect" to get house-batteries on the circuit for using DC and also needed for charging batteries while plugged into AC power.

If your batteries are "connected" the panel will work for showing: battery levels, fresh water, and black water holding tank levels.

It should be noted that you need to have the house-batteries "connected" for charging while camping on shore-power, and "disconnected" when stored and not able to plug in. If left connected they go dead in 2 weeks or less depending on how well they were charged when you got home from the last trip.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29

MDKMDK
Explorer
Explorer
When you post up a question about your rig, it's a good idea to post the year/make/model as well. Helps the troubleshooters.

In most class C/A motorhomes, the power step runs off the chassis battery.
Also, in most motorhomes, the shore power and generator will "light up" the coach without the batteries, so that's why it works when either of those two conditions are met.
Try this. There's a switch to enable/disable your coach batteries, sometimes located just inside the side entry door beside the inside step well. Check to see if that's in the "enabled" position. There may be a little green light on when it's in the enabled position.
Have a look, and post up your results.
Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) Navion24V + 2016 Wrangler JKU (sold @ ????)
2016 Sunstar 26HE, V10, 3V, 6 Speed (sold @ 4600 miles)
2002 Roadtrek C190P (sold @ 315,000kms)