Help with electrical problem

[sayers56]

Hello All!

I'm a new member to this site and hopefully, someone can give me information to help me with a problem. I have a 1999 Monaco Windsor 40' 1 slide. It has been a very good coach and we've gotten a lot of good use from it (hopefully will get a lot more!) When we are not using it, we keep it in storage at a local storage site since we cannot keep it at our home, so I turn off the main battery's supply at the rear of the coach. Lately, when I turn the main battery relay's on, only one of them will power on. The other will not, unfortunately it controls the lights, A/C etc. (some outlets have current but no lights or A/C) So I cannot get power inside the coach until I plug in to shore power. Has anyone else had this problem? Or, does anyone know where to look for a remedy to it? I would greatly appreciate any help, as I have had it in the local RV repair shop several times and they cannot find a problem. They ALWAYS plug in to shore power and never see what I'm referring to. I've always had battery power when I first turn the relay's on until lately.

If anyone has ever had this problem please let me know where to begin in order to make the repair.

Thanks,

Steve

[wa8yxm]

There are several possible issues: You refer to "Main batteries" and say only one.

Usually the batteries are identified one of two or 3 ways Main=Chassis=Vehicle or engine We usually say Chassis in the forum but many times it's marked "MAIN" this is the main vehicle battery and I gather it's' working fine from what you said. NOTE: Shore power may or may not charge this battery depending on the system they installed or on after-market devices like Trick-l-start... Ask if you need instructions on how to figure out if shore power charges it.

Aux = House batteries,, I normally use "house" This bank should be charged by both shore power and by engine power when running.

Now. the House batteries on many RV's are a pair (or 2 pair) of six volt GC-2 size flooded wet cell batteries.. Back when I was a boy and T-Rex still walked the earth (ok, I'm not quite that old) most all 12 volt (or six volt) were flooded wet cells.. From time to time we had to add distilled water to 'em. They have removable "Caps" so you can do just that.

My first guess: You have that type of battery and ... Are younger than me and never saw that kind of battery in your life and thus never added distilled water.

There is hope. SOMETIMES topping them off with distilled they recover, at least partially. I've seen it happen, if it works, buy lotto tickets.

You remove the cap (Some have 3 caps on one "Assembly") and add DISTILLED water till it is about half way between the top of the plates, and the bottom of the filler tube (exact not important, just over the plates) charge overnight, then add to just below the bottom of the filler tube (1/8 to 1/4 inch is good)

Of course: you may be in for new battereis, Sam's club has a good price on GC-2 size batteries,, These are six volt batteries, the reason I used "Pair" or "pairs" above is because when you hook them up like this {Bat}t{ery} they become, effectively, one 12 volt battery in 2 halves. I say this because for most all purposes and intents, that is how you should think of the pair, (As the two halves of a single 12 volt battery)

Next we have switch failure.. this too I've experienced.

Check the batteries, then post the result, if needed we will tell you about switch failure, there are 2 or 3 types of that.

AND, on the same page: Circuit breakers..

If you can identify the battery control system (HINT: press switch, listen for the CLUNK of a device called a solenoid, and follow the sound) we can tell you more about this. On mine, per the manual, there is a big black box with "Battery Control Center" on it, and two POST type (Push hard to reset) breakers on the bottom of the box....

Save I don't have them there. But you might.

[sayers56]

I will check batteries, that very well could be the problem. I DO remember those type batteries. I've filled a bunch of cells myself! I honestly didn't realize that it had this type battery. (If you don't see it, you tend to forget about it.)

When I turn on the left switch, I do hear the relay kick in, but the right switch does nothing. Sometimes, if I play with it enough, it will come on however. I really think it's some kind of breaker that you mentioned. I just don't know where to begin looking for it.

I will re-post after I check batteries out.

THANKS!!!

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Steve! Welcome to IRV2! I would suggest that you post your questions over in the MH or RV Systems forums to get more help. A lot of people don't really look at the New Member forum much. Good luck & God bless!

[sayers56]

Thanks for the advice! Newbies sometimes don't know where to go.

But the advice I was given proved to be correct! It was the house batteries, I should have been checking the water level in them all along.

Thanks!

[wa8yxm]

Glad I could be of help.. Wish I had not the expierence of not checking them often enough (thankfully mine recovered it appears)

please click on the "Thanks" button.. Thank you.