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Angelrod · 12-17-2012, 05:35 PM

I just bought a 2001 Holiday Rambler Admiral Class a coach. I was going over the battery systems and discovered that with both the house and chassis battery cut off switches off, I still have lights in the cabin. No generator running, not plugged in to shore power. Nothing real obvious. Not sure where to even start looking for my mystery power source. Any thoughts?

itdave · 12-17-2012, 05:49 PM

If you are referring to indicator lights some systems are not disconnected when the battery cut off systems are off. If you can tell us what lights are on you may get better answers.

Angelrod · 12-17-2012, 06:21 PM

I'm talking lights in the living area, like over the dinette and the couch etc. Also the propane sensor is operating.

KIX · 12-17-2012, 06:29 PM

The switches you refer to control a solenoid that actually makes the high amp connections. My best guess is that the solenoids have been bypassed and the high amp connections are now permanant.

Angelrod · 12-17-2012, 06:34 PM

I'm talking about the big on-off master swiches in the bays. Aren't they cut-off switches?

KIX · 12-17-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelrod

I'm talking about the big on-off master swiches in the bays. Aren't they cut-off switches?

Oooops. That's what I get for assuming. But, if you're cutting off a main battery switch and still have battery power then the switch isn't switching.

deSanford · 12-17-2012, 06:53 PM

Do you have solar panels? deSanford

Angelrod · 12-17-2012, 07:30 PM

Nope, no solar panels. I already replaced the house bank master switch, figuring it was faulty, but the new one didn't make a difference. I am pretty familiar with 12v systems as I have lived aboard boats most of my life. This one has got me stumped, so far. Will go at it with a meter tomorrow to see if I can figure this out.

Barlow46 · 12-17-2012, 07:36 PM

How many batteries in your house bank? Does your "salesman" switch just inside the doorway turn the power off and on after you have shut off the master switch? I'm thinking the battery wiring may be only be partially running though that cutoff switch. Two batteries could be running though the switch and two bypassing the switch while still maintaining parallel voltage at 12v. If you have 8 batteries, could be the same idea. Long shot and not sure why someone would do it or could be wired incorrectly. Take a close look at how the batteries are wired together.

KIX · 12-17-2012, 07:37 PM

Have you checked how the master switches you referred to are wired?

Arch Hoagland · 12-17-2012, 07:40 PM

With my master switches that disconnect the large battery cables turned off I will still have complete power IF I am plugged into shore power.

If you aren't plugged into shore power then I'd be curious as to what you find.

Mike Canter · 12-17-2012, 07:51 PM

With both of my switches off and no shore power I can still start my motor, the fridge still works and othe odd light still work and my Sig has the original wiring with no modifications. This is pretty normal for Monaco and have not figured out any ryhmn or reason. I would not worry about it. One thing that is great is that my batteries will still be charged by the solar panel or the shore power via the charger with the both switches off.

TRAILERKING · 12-17-2012, 08:00 PM

My '99 Dream does the same thing. I have to toggle the disconnect switch off & on a couple times then it disconnects. It is like the contacts are sticking in the disconnect but I haven't had the time to look into it yet.

mikf · 12-17-2012, 08:02 PM

you say you are not pluged into shore power, but do you have an inverter that your shore power might be plugged in to? or maybe an inverter doing something strange.