Voltage problems

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

I seem to have a voltage problem and it is affecting many items in my Class A. I installed 4 new batteries and fuses recently. Here are the problems:
The panel lights are not lighting up.
The refrigerator is not staying on LP during transit.
The drop down windshield shades are not working at all.
The generator is not staying on and is giving up and down voltage readings. BTW, ALL these issues were present BEFORE i put in the new batteries. I tested the old batteries and they were shot.
Related to voltage? I need ideas.

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

Update: All issues resolved.
Last week, I unknowingly replaced the original 6 V batteries with 12V batteries and wired them like 6 V. They have been re-wired correctly as of today.
The converter was burned out. Replaced. All operating smoothly now and all batteries are charging.

Thanks to Brad and Jeff fron B&B Mobile RV repairs in Tulsa!They also took out my old TV and fixed my refrigerator.

[tropical36]

Tom in Tulsa wrote:
I seem to have a voltage problem and it is affecting many items in my Class A. I installed 4 new batteries and fuses recently. Here are the problems:
The panel lights are not lighting up.
The refrigerator is not staying on LP during transit.
The drop down windshield shades are not working at all.
The generator is not staying on and is giving up and down voltage readings. BTW, ALL these issues were present BEFORE i put in the new batteries. I tested the old batteries and they were shot.
Related to voltage? I need ideas.

What is the voltage at the house batteries?
What is the voltage at the chassis batteries?
Which batteries did you replace?
Pos and neg, correct?
Also helps to name your rig and model for better feedback.

[Executive45]

Easy check. Since this occurred BEFORE you changed out the batteries, I'm sure you installed the new ones correctly. The simplest and IMO the FIRST thing I'd do is DISCONNECT your antenna that was installed by CW. IF your issues then go away, I would go BACK to CW and have them fix it, but with caution. They've been known to do sloppy work. That said, if disconnecting the antenna doesn't fix it, you've got a loose ground somewhere in your system. Very time consuming but pretty cheap fix...good luck,...Dennis

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

Thanks, 10forty. The issue dates back before the new batteries, and now that i think about it, it all started with Camping World installing the antenna last month. (see above) I will test the main battery and it could be all co-incidental. The main thing is my electric panel and test panel does not light up.

[wa8yxm]

IS that KING antenna for Sat tv or Over the air? King Sat Antennas seem to be ok but OTA's not so much.

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

Thanks Ray. Some of that is making sense. I had an indash CD player put in a month ago and I can't turn it off. It is always on.
Another issue is a King TV antenna put in by Camping World in Tulsa and nothing has worked right since! CW denies anything was done incorrectly.

[10forty2]

Given that your voltages are all over the place with the generator running, I would go looking for a loose cable somewhere. My main concern is in the wiring of the batteries. I'm certainly no expert, but most RVs, I've found, use multiple 6VDC batteries wired to produce 12VDC. How did I find out this convenient fact? I, too, bought an older RV and replaced the 2 house batteries. When I did, I bought two brand new 12VDC marine deep cycle/starting batteries and wired them exactly the same way as the old batteries came out. Went inside to make sure I had current and when I flipped the light switch, the lights blinded me for about 5 seconds before they blew out. It then occurred to me that I had wired two 12VDC batteries in series, creating 24VDC....DOH! I blew several fuses in the 12 panel and had to replace the overhead 12VDC fluorescent fixtures and replace bulbs in the incandescent fixtures. Fortunately, I didn't burn out any critical equipment, as the fuse panel took the hit and protected everything else.

Just something to think about. Not saying you don't have everything connected correctly, but a gentle reminder that most coaches run on 12VDC. 😉

[rbonecrusher]

I had a 2003 Holliday Rambler on work horse frame. It had electrical issues that seem to be under the dash. I cleaned all the grounds and replaced the starter batt. The problem went away.
Ray

[Son_of_Norway]

Check your ground connections carefully. Strip back some of the insulation and check for corrosion in the wiring.

[enblethen]

Batteries wired and tested to have 12 volts output.
Look adjacent to the batteries for a fuse or circuit breaker
Go to the 12 volt power distribution panel, normally located adjacent to the 120 volt AC circuit breakers, check for 12 volts DC there. Look for a main fuse in DC distribution panel.
There should be a coach battery disconnect. Try cycling it to off then on. Listen for strong click.
There should be a large fuse for cables to the inverter, this is not the one. I would expect it to be a small one some where between 30-60 amp.
Look at manual about page 185 for battery disconnect information.
Manual

[gbopp]

Tom in Tulsa wrote:

I bought this 16 yr old RV from a dieing friend and have poured a bunch of $$$ into it.

Did your dying friend have any maintenance records for the RV? Maybe they can give you some insight into your problem.

[Tom_in_Tulsa]

This is a 2002 Monoco La Palma, workhorse chassis. Four new 12 V deep cycle marine batteries and terminals and fuses. They are installed correctly. I get the same reading with the new batteries as i did before. My main battery is 4 years plus old. I do have an inverter, but dont know what it does.
I bought this 16 yr old RV from a dieing friend and have poured a bunch of $$$ into it.

[wa8yxm]

enblethen wrote:
Batteries being wired wrong would be first thing to check.
Are they 12 volt batteries or 6 volters?
Is this on the Monaco on Workhorse chassis?

I read a story long ago about a RVer who went to a dealer I've done business with and had 'em install brand new 6 Volt batteries. His story was a lot like yours.

installed WRONG as it turned out.

That is one mistake that, when a dealer makes it, There is simply NO EXCUSE.. Now I know I have a certificate in electronics and a lot of experience with battery systems.. And not many Dealer Technicians can make that claim but still.. For a dealer to screw up a battery install.

And yes. I had one do that on my car. Put it in backwards. For about 1 second.

[enblethen]

Batteries being wired wrong would be first thing to check.
Are they 12 volt batteries or 6 volters?
Is this on the Monaco on Workhorse chassis?