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sinjineer · 12-05-2018, 09:26 AM

We are trying to trace an electrical problem on our 2015 Ducthstar. Our power has randomly been going off and on for the past two days. We were hooked up to shore power which doesn't seem to be the problem. We have disconnected from shore power to try to troubleshoot the problem.

When the 120 amp ac breaker labeled "lights" is flipped on we get an immediate 285 amp load which trips the inverter. With that breaker off the inverter works as intended. What the heck is on the lights breaker?

PS: It appears that all the outlets in the MH are on that breaker because none of them work with that breaker off.

bdpreece · 12-05-2018, 11:19 AM

What model inverter do you have? On my last coach I had a similar problem inside my Xantrax inverter. For me it was a semi easy fix once I figured it out.

C.Martin · 12-05-2018, 11:43 AM

Our 2016 Ventana was also labeled "LIGHTS"...

There aren't any 120vac lights, only 12vdc puck lights.

Of the Inverter loads...it seems that this breaker powers the fwd portion of the coach, entertainment center, outlets, tv's, etc... Oviously, there shouldn't be that kind of load on that circuit.

Do you have ceramic heaters plugged it?? Any work done recently where a screw could have shorted a 110v wire?

JC2 · 12-05-2018, 01:11 PM

Also check the 50A plug itself that connects to the power pedestal. Our intermittent ac issues several months ago was caused by a defective plug. One of the prongs was burned, where it went into the rubber plug body causing it to be somewhat loose. Replaced plug, no more issues.

sinjineer · 12-05-2018, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the replies.

bdpreece) It's a Magna Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger

C.Martin) Yeah, by trial and error, we found that the "lights" breaker powered the 3 a/v outlets above the drivers seat, the drivers seat, the passenger seat the bed outlets, the 1/2 bath gfi, all full bath electric. We have no heaters plugged in.

JC) It's not the 50 amp plug. The problem occurs when we are on shore power as well as when we are off. If the "lights" breaker is on all power to anything connected to the inverter goes off even if we are on shore power. The "lights" breaker does not trip.

We did find a faulty gfi, but after removing it the problem remains.

cavie · 12-05-2018, 08:51 PM

In the electric world of panel labeling, "Lights" refers to lighting and outlets in general. Not a specific circuit like a Dishwasher or a washing machine. That "Lights" breaker refers to the outlets in the coach. To troubleshoot this Think daisy chain. Imaging the middle of the circuit. Remove the outlet from the circuit. See if the breaker stays in place when you turn it on. If not move closer to the breaker and remove another outlet and try again. Doing this you will find the problem.

If it stays on the first time go the other way to the end. I hope I explained this so you can understand.

C.Martin · 12-06-2018, 06:35 AM

Are you reading the 285 Amps on the Magnum Remote Meters display? AC meters or DC meters?

And with "LIGHTS" tripped...does the Inverter reset...and power everything else on the sub panel, ie Fridge, Microwave? (Rule out the Inverter)

I think if this load were on a typical MAIN distribution bar breaker...it would trip the breaker instead of the Inverter...

I am thinking there is a short somewhere but dont know the easiest method of tracing it.

Since it basically shuts down...it is impossible to find one location that is behaving differently than it should.

110V ac is junctioned in a lot of locations, there are also umbilicals that go to the slidouts...a loop that articulates under the bed, a flexing elbow under the FWS, a plastic articulating tray under the kitchen slideout (4037 floorplan)... some of these are flexible multistrand rubber insulated wire...and then go to junction boxes where romex continues to the outlets, etc... so many places for something to come loose.

I do not know if you could isolate the cicuit completely, and use a signal generator to see if you can quickly identify a junction box that is live. You certainly don't want to try finding the tingle using 110v...shock!

Otherwise a methodical inspection of every 110v, enclosure...which would not be fun.

Hopefully, someone else has a good technique to use...of course having a blueprint of the wiring might help.

Try calling Newmar...they may have drawings that at least show the electrical enclosure locations. Otherwise its an Easter Egg hunt.

And of course...if it is a possibility...try to remember the events when this began. Anything unusual...a particular slideout moving, a appliance or outlet that appeared to go out, a pop or noise, an electrical odor... I would grasp for anything that might help narrow the search. If you reset it...and it faults...trip the breaker and run around sniffing for any smells coming from slideouts, under sink, outlets, entertainment center, televator, just at the odd chance it may have arced enough to create an electrical odor.

Wish I could think of something easy...

zzotte · 12-06-2018, 03:51 PM

Just a suggestion have you try using the gen? Still have a problem?

Zzotte

C.Martin · 12-06-2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzotte

Just a suggestion have you try using the gen? Still have a problem?

Zzotte

I think he has adequately established that the problem is isolated to downline on the “Lights” branch circuit. Everything upstream is working normally...

Stealth01 · 12-06-2018, 06:07 PM

Ok, I’m confused... What were the symptoms when hooked up to shore power?? You state the power was randomly going off, can you describe please... Forget the Inverter, it’s a Red Herring (and why stress it while trouble trouble shooting)!

Stealth01 · 12-07-2018, 06:41 PM

hello sinjineer, could we get an update on your issue??

"007" · 12-07-2018, 11:10 PM

Have to ask do you happen to have a cord reel with power cord.
Answers for cord reel problems found in PROBLEM SOLVERS in QT's #3.

sinjineer · 12-08-2018, 05:11 PM

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying. A medical issue arose and we had to go gout of town to deal with it.

The first thing that happened while hooked up to 50 amp power was that all of the power in the coach went out. I was watching tv at the time. I went out and cycled the breakers at the pole. Came back in and had power again for about 10 minutes, then it happened again. I called my husband and he said just run the generator til he could get back. So I turned on the generator and all was fine.

Thru trial and error after he got back we determined that if the "lights" breaker was in the on position we lost all power to everything. With the "lights" breaker off everything except stuff going thru that breaker works fine on shore power.

Yes we do have a power reel, will scope that out next and let you all know.

Thanks again.