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99Dolphin35 · 03-19-2022, 04:46 PM

Hey, I’m new to the RV forum so I hope this is the correct way to ask this question.

My husband and I bought a 1999 Dolphin 5350 with the Ford V10 engine. I completely renovated the interior (looks so cute now!) and we were planning to paint the exterior also. However, we live in the non-sunshine state of Florida and our motorhome was struck by lightning. My husband (and myself to an extent) is very mechanically skilled, but mostly in the Diesel engine realm. We have RV insurance through Progressive, but we were hoping to be able to fix it ourselves. But this RV has thoroughly gotten on my husband’s nerves and I am in the same boat at this point.

When the 5350 was struck by lightning, we lost power to the fridge and second ac unit. Upon inspection, the transfer switch and the Intellitec EMS 500 control board were blown. We replaced both and have power to the fridge and both ac units.

The batteries had gone dead so we had to charge the batteries (1 chassis 12V and 2 house 6V) However, now the dash lights, Jack control panel and the backup camera will not work. The generator start switch and radio are still operational. The jacks, dash lights, and camera were operational after the lightning strike. We tested the Power Gear Jack control board and there is power going to it and it has good ground. We haven’t found any blown fuses in the fuse box underneath the drivers side dash or under the hood or in the electrical side compartment.

We weren’t given any manuals with the 5350, so we have been researching as best we can to find some direction to head regarding this electrical issue.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice, we would so appreciate it!! Thank you in advance!

MrMark52 · 03-20-2022, 08:56 AM

Lightening strikes and the havoc they wreak on electrical systems are bugar bears to trace.

It sounds to me like you need to find a copy of the chassis wiring diagram from Ford - the items you describe that are not working sound to me to be chassis manufacturer provided items, not coach manufacturer.

Lightening can also burn connectors at ground points as well. That could also be the problem. The chassis manual will help to locate where all the ground points and ground tie points (within the wire looks) are as well.

There are a few manuals for the Ford chassis in the Files section (above) under the Chassis section. I didn’t look in the Electrical section.

99Dolphin35 · 03-22-2022, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMark52

Lightening strikes and the havoc they wreak on electrical systems are bugar bears to trace.

It sounds to me like you need to find a copy of the chassis wiring diagram from Ford - the items you describe that are not working sound to me to be chassis manufacturer provided items, not coach manufacturer.

Lightening can also burn connectors at ground points as well. That could also be the problem. The chassis manual will help to locate where all the ground points and ground tie points (within the wire looks) are as well.

There are a few manuals for the Ford chassis in the Files section (above) under the Chassis section. I didn’t look in the Electrical section.

Thank you SOO much for your help! We will look for the chassis files and see if we can find the electrical issue using those schematics! It does seem like a ground problem! Thank you again!!

MrMark52 · 03-22-2022, 12:36 PM

You might also take a look at your convertor. If it’s original, it is very likely one of the old linear style of convertor’s, and those will cook your batteries.
MagnaTek was a predominately used brand, but there were/are others. Progressive Dynamics make a “drop-in” replacement for most all of the MagnaTek’s, and they give pretty good step-by-step instructions for changing it our (depending on the design of the convertor - some are easier than others).

It may not be your problem at the moment, but it is a problem.