Power Issues

[Vt_Rv]

I'm having power issues that I don't understand. This spring the battery for the engine was dead even though the RV was plugged into shore power all winter. It wouldn't keep a charge so I replaced it.

I just went out for the first time where there was no shore power and I found that the coach batteries didn't keep a charge even though only using led lights.

Now that I'm home even when plugged into shore power I'm not getting 110. The refer won't run, the AC will only run if I start the generator, the microwave not working. If I start the generator which I could only do by boosting it everything works fine.

I checked the outlets with a volt meter and I"m only getting 6.7 Volts AC.

I checked the breakers and everything looks okay. Made sure I have 120 going to the camper which I do.

Any thoughts?

[Vt_Rv]

"if you don't and leave it plugged in all the time your just boiling the water out os the batt"

You may have solved the problem. It's been so long since I've had anything but a closed cell battery I never even gave it a thought to check the fluid level. Both batteries were all but dry!

Thank you all so much for the advise and help.

[John_Wayne]

REfrig, A/C ,Water heater, etc. need 12 volt to work the control boards even when using 120 volt shore power. Check to make sure you have a 3 stage converter for charging the house batt. if you don't and leave it plugged in all the time your just boiling the water out os the batt.s. You are checking the batt. water level at least once a mo. right.

[enblethen]

Transfer switch is normally located near the 120 volt power distribution panel. It is in a metal box about 6 inch cube.
This device switches between power sources, shore power to genset.

[MrWizard]

2003 Damon Challenger
should have a decent smart charger, but it will only maintain the house batteries unless, there is some kind of 'trickle charger' maintainer going to the chassis/engine batteries

only having 120v power when the on board generator is running, means problems with the transfer switch, or the shore power connections

we have a lot of people who have the bad habit of switching hot loads like the A/C
thye run the genny while driving (this is OK), but then they pull into the campground or home and plug into shore power then turn off the genny
this causes a big surge and ARC on the transfer switch contacts from the heavy amp A/C compressor load

no matter what the cause, you need to check out the transfer switch and the shore power connections coming into the switch

seems like the TS might need to be replaced

[pianotuna]

Plugging in to shore power generally does not charge the starting battery.

Plugging into shore power, with an old fashioned converter, almost guarantees destroying the house battery bank.

If you have a transfer switch it may have failed and may be stuck "pointing" at the generator.

[Vt_Rv]

I have 30 amp service at home. I checked it with a volt meter at the plug.

I did turn all the breakers off and back on. I'm not entirely sure what the transfer switch is but, I put the battery charger on the coach batteries and about 30 min later went out to check on things and everything seems to be working fine.

Do you need the coach batteries to be up in order for shore power to work?

Now I'm not sure if I should replace the 6 volt golf cart batteries or if it's a charging issue.

[enblethen]

How did you verify power to rig?
Are you using an adpater?
What size of shore power 30 or 50 ampere?
Have you fully reset breakers in the rig? Turn off all breakers applying light pressure toward off. Then turn on main breaker if equipped. Then branch breakers one at a time.
Possible that transfer switch has failed. Hit it!