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Poppa Jim · 11-14-2013, 04:51 PM

I've got a 1992 Pinnacle 300Q Motorhome that We've recently picked up and doing some tuning up. New batteries for motor & starting with large twin 6 Volts in series for house batteries. All house lights were working FINE, on battery & Gen. powere, but today : only on the gen set. We've checked : 1. Batteries good. 2. Every fuse we can find, Good. QUESTION: IS THERE A COMPONENT IN THE CONVERTER THAT SHOULD AUTOMATICALY SWITCH FROM DC POWER TO AC AND BACK AGAIN??
The Converter on this model was placed, (IN A RIDICULOUS POSITION, IN MY OPINION), UNDER THE STEP OF THE MH MAIN entrance. I'm presuming that's where to check next, UNLESS some one CAN PLEASE GIVE ME AID! I noticed in another post that a fellow, (AZ Cactus RV), couldn't start his Genset from the dash anymore and repaired it by changing a swith or something ! I'd certainly appreciate your help too, "If You Would?"
"Thanks Folks"!
Poppa Jim.

**JohnRR** · 11-14-2013, 08:29 PM

Your question was moved to this forum where more people with experience and interest can provide you with answers and opinions.

Medico · 11-15-2013, 05:25 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

94-Newmar · 11-15-2013, 06:38 AM

I've re-read your post a couple of times.. I guess some clarifcation is needed....

Did the lights work after you replaced the house/chassis batteries?
Are you saying they only come on if the genset is running?
Do they come on when plugged into shore power?

You mention something about the genset switch... is not starting now either?

Terribly confused.....

MSHappyCampers · 11-15-2013, 08:50 AM

Hi Poppa Jim! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang!

Sorry I can't answer your questions. Hope you enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

texnet · 11-15-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa Jim

but today : only on the gen set. We've checked : 1. Batteries good. 2. Every fuse we can find, Good. QUESTION: IS THERE A COMPONENT IN THE CONVERTER THAT SHOULD AUTOMATICALY SWITCH FROM DC POWER TO AC AND BACK AGAIN??

The converter takes 110/120VAC power and converters it to 12VDC power to power your lights and other 12VDC items in the house portion of your coach. The converter also charges your house battery and maybe the chassis battery.

You state that your lights are only working with the genset. You did not say if the lights were working when plugged into shore power. If your lights are working both on shore power and gen power then the converter is doing its job. However, not working on batteries points to a fuse being blown or connection from the batteries is not solid. Look at all ground connections and even if they look good you should clean/tighten the bolt/nut.

BFlinn181 · 11-15-2013, 11:28 AM

It's a little hard to diagnose from your post, I've got a few questions to try and clear things up.

If batteries are connected and charged, house lights, thermostat, water pump, etc. should work on batteries. Do you have a 'salesman switch' (house battery disconnect switch, usually near entrance?) You say generator starts, but lights don't come on, generator is usually on house batteries, if it started, it points to house batteries connected. To switch from shore power to generator, do you have to plug shore cord into an outlet? If you don't, that means you have an ATS (automatic transfer switch) that usually defaults to generator if it malfunctions. A converter/charger takes 120 v AC and converts to ~12 v DC power to run house systems and charge batteries at the same time. On shore power or generator, the converter/charger should be working, outputting power to the house and charge the batteries. There are usually fuses or circuit breakers on the outside of the converter, check on all sides. You'll need a multimeter to test for voltage. Fully charged '12 v' battery (or 2 six volt batteries in series) should put out ~12.7 volts. If converter is working, this should go up over 13+ volts. Finding a difference will show converter is working. With no 120 v power, the batteries will be charged by engine alternator, so if you measure voltages in chassis and house batteries and then start the engine, you should measure an increase in voltage in the chassis battery(ies) and hopefully in the house batteries too. Most (but not all) RVs have a system (solenoid or solid state device) to charge both systems when power is available. Testing with a multimeter will show what your RV has. There might also be a 'boost' switch on the dash near driver to allow emergency connection between both sets of batteries for starting engine when chassis batteries are weak or generator if house batteries weak.

Poppa Jim · 11-15-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

I've re-read your post a couple of times.. I guess some clarifcation is needed....

Did the lights work after you replaced the house/chassis batteries?
Are you saying they only come on if the genset is running?
Do they come on when plugged into shore power?

You mention something about the genset switch... is not starting now either?

Terribly confused.....

After new batteries installed, everthing worked well for about 2 wks,(as I'm doing other casual maint. work. When I leave MH I always "TurnOff" the 12V "Kill" switch. Whe I arrived in the AM & turned on the Kill Switch, there was no current on that line & No Lights. I've checked all batteries, connections and all the "Many" (Inline) fuses that I can find in the Fwd engine & battery compartment After doing all the checks I started the Genset & the lights worked fine. On this Pinnacle 300Q the book says the engine battery is charged by the engine alternator 7 the house batteries are charged by the Genset (and/or) exterior power connection. Is it possible that the converter did not switch back to 12V power, I wonder? When you don't have any schematics or servicing diagrams, it's a game of guess & by god. Thank You Very Much for any ideas that you have. I'll work on the Gen Dash mounted Start switch, (that doesn't work), later. The start/stop switch on the genset works fine but I have to go outside to start it, of course.
"Thanks From British Columbia, Canada"!
Poppa Jim. (Senior)

BFlinn181 · 11-15-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa Jim

After new batteries installed, everthing worked well for about 2 wks,(as I'm doing other casual maint. work. When I leave MH I always "TurnOff" the 12V "Kill" switch. Whe I arrived in the AM & turned on the Kill Switch, there was no current on that line & No Lights. I've checked all batteries, connections and all the "Many" (Inline) fuses that I can find in the Fwd engine & battery compartment After doing all the checks I started the Genset & the lights worked fine.

It sounds like the battery disconnect solenoid is bad. You can bypass it by fastening both large gauge wires to the same post to test this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa Jim

On this Pinnacle 300Q the book says the engine battery is charged by the engine alternator 7 the house batteries are charged by the Genset (and/or) exterior power connection. Is it possible that the converter did not switch back to 12V power, I wonder? When you don't have any schematics or servicing diagrams, it's a game of guess & by god. Thank You Very Much for any ideas that you have. I'll work on the Gen Dash mounted Start switch, (that doesn't work), later. The start/stop switch on the genset works fine but I have to go outside to start it, of course.
"Thanks From British Columbia, Canada"!
Poppa Jim. (Senior)

The converter doesn't "switch back to 12 v power" When 120 v is present, it charges batteries and supplies power to the 12 v system.

KIX · 11-15-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote: When I leave MH I always "TurnOff" the 12V "Kill" switch. Whe I arrived in the AM & turned on the Kill Switch, there was no current on that line & No Lights.

The "kill" switch is commonly referred to as a "salesman switch". The switch controls a solenoid that either connects or disconnects your 12vdc battery system. Typically when you operate the switch you can hear a click sound. The click is the solenoid plunger either engaging or disengaging the contacts that actuall carry the battery current. My thoughts are that your solenoid has failed. Just because you hear the click doesn't mean the contacts are actually making contact. Those contacts may be dirty and not making good contact. You can jump across the two large cable lugs on that solenoid to verify if that is the problem. Lots of folks have permanently bypassed that solenoid. Hope this helps you.

texnet · 11-15-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa Jim

When I leave MH I always "TurnOff" the 12V "Kill" switch. Whe I arrived in the AM & turned on the Kill Switch, there was no current on that line & No Lights.

This statement leads to the answer to the problem. The 12VDC switch turns a solenoid on/off. The solenoid is like a big switch. When it is off the batteries are disconnected. You could try to turn the switch on/off several times and the solenoid may make connection. You could also pull one of the large cables off one side and put it on the other side on the same post thus eliminating the solenoid. However, if it is the solenoid the solution is to replace it. Many people disable it by installing a jumper arouned it or just take the battery cable off one side and put them both on the same side. I prefer to leave mine in place!