|
|
07-20-2013, 07:36 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
|
Power Tripping ON and Off
I am very new to the RV world. I bought a 2001 Monaco Executive to see if I liked RVing. Which I do. I have quite a number of mechanical problems and now an electrical one. When I am plugged into my site 50Amp, for most of the summer I have been fine. I went away and started getting the power would just shut off and then turn back on after a few moments. Now back at my usual site, I am having the same problem. I thought it as just bad power but now I think it might be the Power 50 Transfer (ESCO) box underneath. When the power goes off and I go to the main input box, it will show no lights and then there will be a large clunk like a large circuit breaker reseting and power will come back with no fault lights. This happens several times a day, the only thing I found to stop the tripping is to turn off almost everything.
A second item that I do not know if it is related is I have a panel that shows battery level, charging, etc. When my wife uses the kettle, the batteries start dropping fast and when done they will charge back. Not sure if this is normal?
Please help this newbie.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
07-20-2013, 08:27 AM
|
#2
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Heading back to Tennessee
Posts: 81
|
Does your water pump come on when water is used? sounds like a high current drain on the charging system may have a shorted cell in a battery?
__________________
CC Inspire 330 2005, Cat powered w/Allison 3000mh cooled by PTO driven fan
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:19 AM
|
#3
|
Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Howell, Mi
Posts: 211
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nytrorcr
Does your water pump come on when water is used? sounds like a high current drain on the charging system may have a shorted cell in a battery?
|
what does that have to do with what he's talking about
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:25 AM
|
#4
|
Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,378
|
Welcome to irv2. I'll move this thread to our rv systems and appliances section to get a broader view from more members.
Cliff
__________________
Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:33 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Full time RV'er
Posts: 5,124
|
I would unplug from shore power, open that Power 50 Transfer (ESCO) box, and look for something weird in there. All the RVs I've worked on wire the transfer switch (a big relay) so that the generator, when it gets up to speed and outputs 120Vac, will operate the transfer switch.
Yours could be miswired, or, and this is what I'm thinking is going on, has a loose connection or intermittent short inside the transfer switch box. You should not hear a clunk out of the transfer switch when you plug into shore power or while you're just parked. (The clunk would come when the generator came up to speed).
Because the Esco is a 3-pole, normally open device, which via 3 closed contacts powers the house when it's coils are unpowered, the fact that it's clunking randomly points to possible short from the shore power cable to the coil of the relay(s).
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:40 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
|
Hi Beast778,
A few pieces of this puzzle are missing.
1. Is there a surge protector on the incoming power line from the shore power pedestal?
2. Is there a voltage regulator on the incoming power line from the shore power pedestal?
3.Are you able to measure the voltage on each leg of the 50 AMP circuit?
Based on the information, in the OP, it sounds like a surge protector cutting power to the coach. It will wait about 2.5 minutes and then return power to the coach. If this is true, one needs to measure the VAC on each leg of the shore power circuit. One can do this from inside the coach. You need to find a wall outlet. One on each leg of the 50 AMP circuit. We are at the time of the year when maximum power draw will happen with all the HVAC units running to cool RVs.
From what you've said, I do not feel there is anything wrong with your coach. The only exception to this is the transfer switch itself. At this time consider measuring the VAC and determine if the shore power is the problem, before jumping into coach components.
As far as the batteries draining, I do not know how your coach is wired. If one runs a high wattage appliance without shore power (power coming from the inverter/batteries) there will be quick drain on the batteries. If shore power is available, the inverter should be in by pass mode and have no effect on the batteries. However, I am not familiar with how Monaco wired your coach. Either way I do not feel there is anything for you to worry about. You could have the batteries load tested to determine what shape they are in.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:45 AM
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beast778
I am very new to the RV world.
When my wife uses the kettle, the batteries start dropping fast and when done they will charge back. Not sure if this is normal?
Please help this newbie.
|
Kettle?
What kettle?
If you heat a kettle on the LP cook top you only use 12V for lighting the burner.
Mel
'96 Sahara
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:47 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Angola State Prison - Murder
Posts: 4,230
|
Your coach does have an ATS (Automatic transfer switch). This is usually used to sense the source of power. Either shore or generator. If on shore and the generator starts, the ATS will switch to generator. Once generator stops, it switches back to shore. When these switch, they certainly clunk. So it's probably the ATS.
Another possibilty is if you have an EMS. They continually check inbound power for any problems. If detected (such as low or high voltage or spikes) it cuts the power to the coach. I don't think any brand of those clunk, but cutting power to the coach could/would make the ATS clunk.
I don't have either of these, but I'm sure your problem lies there someplace.
As far as this "kettle", if it is electric and being power via a 12vdc to 120vac power inverter, it would certainly pull hard on the batteries until it was turned off. This would certainly be the case if it were being used without shore power.
Normally when shore is available, the inverter is by-passed and all outlets are powered directly from shore power.
__________________
John & Clare Lyon
2007 43.5' Monaco Dynasty Palace III (All Electric)
Towd: 2011 Chevy Equinox
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:49 AM
|
#9
|
Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beast778
I am very new to the RV world. I bought a 2001 Monaco Executive to see if I liked RVing. Which I do. I have quite a number of mechanical problems and now an electrical one. When I am plugged into my site 50Amp, for most of the summer I have been fine. I went away and started getting the power would just shut off and then turn back on after a few moments. Now back at my usual site, I am having the same problem. I thought it as just bad power but now I think it might be the Power 50 Transfer (ESCO) box underneath. When the power goes off and I go to the main input box, it will show no lights and then there will be a large clunk like a large circuit breaker reseting and power will come back with no fault lights. This happens several times a day, the only thing I found to stop the tripping is to turn off almost everything.
A second item that I do not know if it is related is I have a panel that shows battery level, charging, etc. When my wife uses the kettle, the batteries start dropping fast and when done they will charge back. Not sure if this is normal?
Please help this newbie.
|
Since this is a second hand coach, do you know if the a previous owner had installed a Progressive Industries 50 AMP EMS HW-50C unit in the coach?
Here is what it looks like.
EMS-HW50C
or it may look like this.
EMS-LCHW50C
If you have one of these, when it detects a power fault it will cut off your 120 VAC power to your coach. Once the fault has cleared it will resume power once you hear a big CLUNK.
The ESCO power transfer switches are one of the best in the industry. That may have a problem but it would need to be verified internally.
Be careful when working on 50 amp service boxes. Make sure all power has been turned off, no generator usage or inverter.
I have no idea what you mean by "when the wife uses the kettle", the batteries start dropping. What's a kettle and how does it affect the 12 VDC batteries?
Dr4Film ----- Richard
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 11:52 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mel stuplich
Kettle? What kettle? If you heat a kettle on the LP cook top you only use 12V for lighting the burner...
|
Probably an electric kettle, Mel. Heats water for tea, or any purpose. Heats up fast. Very convenient. High current draw.
__________________
John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 12:06 PM
|
#11
|
Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
|
Well that makes sense EXCEPT it is a device that should NOT be used when on 12 VDC batteries.
There are devices that you should ONLY use when on shore power or generator power.
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Toaster
Electric Blanket
Clothes Iron
Microwave
and a bunch more but you get the idea.
When in doubt use Common Sense.
Dr4Film ----- Richard
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 03:28 PM
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr4Film
Well that makes sense EXCEPT it is a device that should NOT be used when on 12 VDC batteries.
There are devices that you should ONLY use when on shore power or generator power.
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Toaster
Electric Blanket
Clothes Iron
Microwave
and a bunch more but you get the idea.
When in doubt use Common Sense.
Dr4Film ----- Richard
|
Richard
I agree!
Add to that Crock Pot, Electric Grill and Convection Oven.
There's a reason that most RVs have LP cook tops.
We use LP to heat the teapot, make the coffee, cook the food, and grill the steaks, (whether or not we have shore power)......
My LP also heats the hot water and cools the refrigerator.
Most Coaches come with nearly everything/anything you.
(However, to often Common Sense is NOT included)!
<smile>
Mel
'96 Safari
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 07:22 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
|
Don't forget to check the ground
We could not exactly explain our problem as it changed. It turned out to be the ground wire bolted to the frame was loose.
Mike
2007 Pacifica 40'
|
|
|
07-20-2013, 07:40 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tulalip, WA
Posts: 946
|
Yesterday we too had the electric problem you are describing, finnaly about 11 pm I had had it, I found places on this coach I didn't know were there trying to locate the problem, anyway I put the adapter on the 50amp wire and down sized to 30 amps. darned if it didn't work, no more outages, I slept.
This morniong I got the maint. guy from the park to trouble shoot for me and he found the fuze was dirty, after he cleaned it and did some other tests, he plugged us in and we have been fat dumb and happy ever sence.
__________________
Don't pray for a blessing--Pray to be a blessing.
2006 Holiday Rambler Endavor 40 footer
Tulalip,WA
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|