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Freeholder · 01-17-2016, 07:59 PM

In my 1977 Winnebago Minnie Winnie all of the 12 volt stuff works fine when I'm plugged into 120, and I can hear the relay click when it is plugged in and unplugged. However, when it is unplugged from 120 all the 12 volt stuff quits working. The battery tests ok. So far I have had no luck figuring this out. What should I check?

KIX · 01-17-2016, 08:02 PM

Converter input ind output. should be 120vAC in and around 13 VDC out

r___r · 01-17-2016, 10:43 PM

Maybe a disconnect switch near the battery.

Rich

nothermark · 01-17-2016, 11:51 PM

IF you have 12 VDC at the battery follow the heavy wire and look for where it stops. There is probably a large relay near the battery that can go bad or not be turned on. (salesmans or storage switch) then it goes to a fuse panel. There may be a heavy breaker or fuse also in the line. Post where it stops and we may have more ideas.

Roosters 67 · 01-17-2016, 11:58 PM

Are you checking the condition of the chassis battery or the coach battery(ies), most likely you have at least two, if not three batteries. Sounds like the coach batteries are dead.

Freeholder · 01-18-2016, 11:06 PM

OK, to clarify, the chassis battery is fine. It starts the RV with no issues. The problem is the house battery. The battery itself shows 12.7 volts. There is a relay in the battery compartment, and it shows power on both sides. The converter is working because everything 12v works fine when it is plugged into shore power. When I unplug it, all the 12 volt stuff like lights quits working. When we plug it in, we can hear the relay in the converter click. I will have to take the cover off the converter and see what's going on inside. Thanks for the help.

r___r · 01-19-2016, 10:55 PM

Sounds like there is no continuity between the relay and the converter. May need to tone/trace that line.

nothermark · 01-20-2016, 02:49 AM

You said the converter is working. No need to take the cover off. OTOH if it is part of the distribution panel that is where you want to go. Check for 12 VDC at the DC panel feed with the AC power unplugged. If you have it there then it is a breaker or fuse in the panel. If you do not have it there then it is a breaker, fuse, bad connector, or broken wire between the big relay and the breaker panel.

In essence there is a spot somewhere where the 12 VDC from the battery and the 12 VDC from the Converter are connected together. Each leg probably has some kind of protection. That may be at the panel or at an isolated stud somewhere else. PITA to find but you need to figure out where.

kb2ztx · 01-23-2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeholder

. The battery itself shows 12.7 volts. There is a relay in the battery compartment, and it shows power on both sides. The converter is working because everything 12v works fine when it is plugged into shore power. When I unplug it, all the 12 volt stuff like lights quits working. When we plug it in, we can hear the relay in the converter click. I will have to take the cover off the converter and see what's going on inside. Thanks for the help.

Have you checked this relay when you unplug from shore power ? Also if the shoreline is plugged in you should see more than 12.7 volts. Also check for a fuse some place

subford · 01-24-2016, 10:57 AM

Sounds like the Auto Relay is not switching:

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Freeholder · 01-28-2016, 11:48 AM

It turned out to be corroded contacts on the relay in the converter panel. The same one shown on the wiring diagram above. Thanks for all the help. One problem down!!!