Community Forums

eltyboy · 05-23-2016, 04:49 PM

I started having trouble last year with low voltage. After testing I found 2 batteries with 4 volts or less. This spring I put 4 new interstate 6 volt batteries in. I have 13 volts going into the inverter but only show 7.2 inside on my panel. No lights work. I then plugged in to 220 and I still have no interior lights. What do I need to replace, the inverter transfer switch? Are there any tests that I can run to find out what is wrong. Just frustrated. It is a 1998 Tradewinds.

Rook · 05-23-2016, 06:19 PM

FIRST thing to check is the main chassis ground from the house battery bank to chassis metal. On my coach it is directly behind the battery bank, on the chassis rail. Disconnect it, clean it, grind/clean the chassis point to bright metal, reconnect using a little conductive grease. On my coach, I also jumped to a different point on the rail with a #6 short battery cable. Solved many 12VDC problems. Rook

Richard S. · 05-23-2016, 06:33 PM

When connected to shore power it should be 110 volts 50 amp.

If you actually plug in to 220 volts it will fry everything. 50 amp service is two separate legs of 110 volts

twinboat · 05-23-2016, 06:35 PM

If your inverter is showing 7.2 volts Something in the wiring is wrong.

Send pictures

eltyboy · 05-23-2016, 09:07 PM

Yes I took cellphone pictures but they don't help me at all. I should have marked each cables location with masking tape. I have the cables connected like the owners manual diagram. Like I said, 13 volts to the inverter, but 7 volts on my panel and no lights.

twinboat · 05-23-2016, 09:11 PM

Post the pictures for us. Maybe we can see if you missed something.

eltyboy · 05-24-2016, 09:33 PM

I gave up and took it to a dealership today, I will update once I get it back on what the problem was. Thanks for all the help.

eltyboy · 05-30-2016, 07:49 AM

Picking up my motorhome from the dealer today. I had the cables hooked up wrong, everything cleaned up and working right. Also clearly labeled to avoid future confusion. $200 work order but worth it to get everything working. The mechanic said he sees 3 or 4 of these every spring. A heads up for everyone masking tape labels are way better than cellphone pictures that sometimes don't show as much as you think they are going to. Thanks for the replies.