Lost 12 Volt Power

[Hugh G]

Folks, I had the 2005 BT Cruiser plugged into shore power from my garage and was running the air conditioner. Due to a lapse of thinking (and being a new RV owner), I started up the generator and blew the garage circuit breaker.

Thereafter, there was no A/C or D/C power in the camper. After re-setting the garage circuit breaker, there is now A/C power but no D/C power.

I've checked all the fuses/breakers I can find and they're OK. I suspect the circuit board on the Automatic Transfer Relay was blown out and I hope that's all the electronic damage.

I ordered a new ATR circuit board and plan to have an RV technician check out the systems and install the board if necessary. Does that make sense, and has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks, Hugh

[w6pea]

Several years ago my DW and I went to a membership campground we made the big mistake of joining. (other story for another time) any way the power pedestal shorted out we lost all power. I unhooked from it because it was fried. I opened my fuse box I flipped all of the circuit breakers and we then had 12vdc power. Luckily we did no damage to our rigs 12v system. I do not know for sure what happened but try flipping the circuit breakers, it worked for us. You might have a problem thought because when I am hooked to shore power and start my generator it has a transfer circuit that separates it from the shore power.

[RV Wizard]

First check the voltage of the battery bank. Next verify the battery disconnect switch is on and 12 vdc is feed to the distribution panel. Plug the coach into shore power and verify the converter charger is charging the battery bank. You could have been power the 12 system off the converter charger only and did not have the batteries connected. When you tried to start the generator the converter fuses may have blown and now you have no 12vdc power. If this is the case check the fuses on the converter and make sure the disconnect solenoid is working properly.

[Hugh G]

Thanks for the replys to my problem.

The automatic transfer switch is Progressive Dynamics 5100. According to the brochures for 2005 BT Cruiser 5290 there is an "electric convertor/with charger (something in the Intelipower PD 9100 series).

I'm having a hell of a time locating the convertor. The ATS is located under the bathroom sink and I don't think it's the convertor.

Can any 5290 owners or informed folks give me guidance for where to look for the convertor?

Also, what is the difference between a convertor and the automatic transfer switch?

Thanks, folks. I'm very new to RV'ing.

Hugh

[4Knights]

That's exactly how I found out my transfer switch was bad, the generator backed to the house circuit when plugged in. The transfer switch is supposed to sense the power from shore or gen and make the switch automatically. My switch had one bad side that the contractor coil was bad. I replaced the whole unit and had an electrician friend fix the old one so now have a spare if the new one ever goes out. I uploaded the transfer switch manual and troubleshooting guide on the files tab of the IRV2 website

[DRosedale]

Not sure where your convertor is on your coach, mine is under the bed in the back of the coach. If you have your coach plugged into shore power and if the convertor is located inside the coach you can hear it running, it doesn't run long, then it cuts off, actually what you hear is the cooling fan. Make sure your house batteries are on line. You can make the convertor fan come on by turning on a few lights. Again when the fan comes on and if it is inside of the coach you should be able to hear it. Also you might look for a vent. There is a vent in the bed frame on my coach and the convertor is behind the vent.

Just some suggestions, hope it helps. I hate when I can't find something no matter how hard I look. What's even worst, is to have look right at what I am looking for and don't realize that is the object of my search.

Good luck

[RV Wizard]

A converter uses 120vac to charge a bank of batteries at about 13.8 vdc, An automatic transfer switch allows only one source of 120 vac into the coach. This is to prevent the generator and shore power being both on at the same time (when working properly).

[Hugh G]

Thanks for the replys. I'm still unable to physically locate the power converter for the 2005 BT Cruiser 5290. I've e-mailed Gulfstream customer service with the query and VIN but so far no major help.

I know from the rig documentation and power converter owner's manual there is a converter somewhere (Progressive Dynamics PD9130), but I cannot find it!! It's apparently hidden somewhere and might be obscured within Gulfstream's documentation system. The "generic" Gulfstream owner's manual said it was either under the fridge or under the bed. Not so as far as I can tell.

It's frustating for a new RV'er trying to learn about his 2005 rig.

Guess it's part of RV'ing. Thanks, Hugh

[Hugh G]

I finally located the convertor on the 2005 BT Cruiser. It's located behind the Power Distribution Box. It is necessary to remove the Power Distribution Box to access the convertor. There's small working room and I haven't yet tried to get to the fuses. I think there might be two of them.

[Hugh G]

The power converter (PD9260C) checked out fine. Fuses were good and DC output was 13.62V. The 9 month old battery is fully charged. I think something got fried and I suspect the automatic transfer relay switch.

When plugged into garage 15/20 AC, the microwave and TV's work, but the neither the generator nor air conditioner work. The slides work when the E450 motor is running but not otherwise.

Another thing I noticed was when I "tested" the GFCi and "reset" it, I heard a "click, click, ckick" that seemed to come from below the sink/toilet area. It wasn't from the transfer relay or the converter. Is there something electrical in that area that needs checking??

Any help apprecaited. Thanks.

[RJay]

The only thing I can think of that clicks is the battery disconnect solenoid.

[RV Wizard]

Hugh, find the house battery disconnect solenoid and test to be sure it is closing. Also test to verify you have 12 vdc at the battery side when the coach is "Not" plugged into shore power. If you do not have any voltage getting to the disconnect find the circuit breaker or fuse between battery and disconnect and correct the problem. If you do have voltage make sure the battery disconnect switch operates the disconnect solenoid.