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Okaymonsterman's avatar
Okaymonsterman
Explorer
Oct 24, 2020

Battery Disconnect Switch not turning on!

I have a 1999 Damon Intruder motorhome. Shortly after I left an RV Park, I realized I had no power in the coach. I figured it was because my Intellic Battery Disconnect Switch was off so I walked over and pushed the spring loaded switch next to my coach door to the “On” position...but nothing happened. I tried a few more times and can hear it clicking from under the hood of my motorhome, but no lights on the switch.

I thought maybe the brand new 12v batteries had been drained somehow so I pulled out my multimeter and they fortunately have a full charge.

I thought the switch was bad until I plugged back into a 50 amp service and the light comes back on. However as soon as I unplug from shore power, that light goes away as well regardless of how many times I push and hear the clicking. The switch for the voltage reader does not display either once disconnected.

I checked a fuse connected to my battery (not sure from where, just assuming) but that fuse is fine. Not sure where to troubleshoot next but if anyone has any insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time and be safe out there!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2020
    The light shows that you have 12 volts IT DOES not indicate "Connected/Disconnected" if you are plugged in.

    In your "Battery control center" are a number of 5 amp fuses. one feeds the switch.. I'd pull that fuse (if not sure pull all of 'em) and then operate the switch both USE and STORE likr 50 cycles eacy. Restore fuses and see if it works (Did for me)

    WHY did this work
    Switch is "Self cleaning" but if it gets dirty enough it can't lean under power. By pulling the fuse and remoing power the switch will clean as you cycle..

    Finally if that works you have a decision to make

    1: buy lotto tickets cause "When you hot, you hot"
    2: Do not buy cause you just used up your ration of LUCK for the week.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2020
    Locate the solenoid that clicks when you operate the disconnect switch, and investigate there (specifically, the big terminals for the power connections, not the little ones for the control wires). With it on and not connected to shore power, you should see 12V on both sides. With it off, one side--connected to the battery--should have 12V, the other nothing.

    If you always have 12V on only one side, then the disconnect relay is bad and needs replacement. In the meantime, you can get power by bypassing it by connecting both heavy wires to the same terminal. Of course, you should do this reconnecting only after disconnecting the battery, say by removing the ground wire from it.

    If you have no power at either terminal, the problem must lie in the connection between the battery and the solenoid, or in the battery's ground connection.

    If the solenoid is operating properly, your problem must lie between the solenoid and the DC distribution panel.

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