2001 National Carribean Electrical Issues

[WJWilliams2]

Anyone familiar with a 2001 Carribean? I just got one, my first motorhome, and the learning experience is proving to be quite difficult. I'm sure my inverter is not working. But the most difficult part is trying to locate everything. Nothing is labeled and I have no wiring diagram. For example, the microwave is not working, but I can't find where the power for it comes from. The 120 volt breaker panel in the bedroom does not have any tripped breakers. Is there another breaker panel somewhere that I haven't found yet

The GRCI outlet above and right beside the microwave doesn't have any power to it either, so I'm assuming their both on the same circuit that is out. I just can't find it!

Anyone have a wiring diagram or schematic?

Thanks. This is getting to be rather frustrating. I will greatly appreciate any assistance any of you can offer.

Bill from Chandler, Arizona

[d23haynes57]

The inverter feeds a sub panel that feeds a number or outlets. It is a pass through, so it needs to be intact for power to go through it even when plugged in or on generator. The house batteries need to be available (working) for it to turn on.
I am very familiar with National RVs way of doing things. It won't be that bad to figure stuff out.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by WJWilliams2

Anyone familiar with a 2001 Carribean? I just got one, my first motorhome, and the learning experience is proving to be quite difficult. I'm sure my inverter is not working. But the most difficult part is trying to locate everything. Nothing is labeled and I have no wiring diagram. For example, the microwave is not working, but I can't find where the power for it comes from. The 120 volt breaker panel in the bedroom does not have any tripped breakers. Is there another breaker panel somewhere that I haven't found yet

The GRCI outlet above and right beside the microwave doesn't have any power to it either, so I'm assuming their both on the same circuit that is out. I just can't find it!

Anyone have a wiring diagram or schematic?

Thanks. This is getting to be rather frustrating. I will greatly appreciate any assistance any of you can offer.

Bill from Chandler, Arizona

Welcome to the forum.

Your experiences are tropical for new owners of old MH. You will figure it out with time. Then you will still have plenty of frustrating moments.

On my inverter there are two breakers on the side. One powers the GFCI circuits and one powers the microwave.

[NomadicNick]

Sounds like you've got a solid handle on how it's set up. If the inverter ever fails, is there a way to get power through the system without it, or would it be down until it's fixed?

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by NomadicNick

Sounds like you've got a solid handle on how it's set up. If the inverter ever fails, is there a way to get power through the system without it, or would it be down until it's fixed?

That depends on the inverter. Some will default to allow power to pass through the inverter and some need the 12 volts to be working even for pass through power.

[WJWilliams2]

Thank you so very much for the responses, Dennis and Kit. You helped me figure out the source of the problem, I think. I didn't realize the 120 volt circuits were fed through the inverter but thought the 120 volt subpanel in the bedroom was fed directly from the shore power through the Power Switch. So I believe the problem is my inverter is not working to power up my microwave. The message that the two breakers feed the 120 volt circuits is a key and explains where the microwave circuit originates and why it's not being powered up. Now I need to get the inverter repaired. Thanks so very much, as I spent countless hours trying to trace out the microwave circuit.

Another question for you, please: Where do the wires from the solar panels on the roof connect into the 12 volt circuit in the coach? Evidently they're not working either.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me!
Bill Williams, Chandler, AZ

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by WJWilliams2

....... Now I need to get the inverter repaired. Thanks so very much, as I spent countless hours trying to trace out the microwave circuit.

Another question for you, please: Where do the wires from the solar panels on the roof connect into the 12 volt circuit in the coach? Evidently they're not working either.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me!
Bill Williams, Chandler, AZ

Sometimes is the little things. When my inverter went out I was looking at the cost of a new one. After researching for several hours, I went and reset the GFCI.

My GFCI or one of the things powered does not like salt air. I spent countless hours trouble shooting. Even bought a new one. So one day I was reading my inverter manual and it specified a specific model of GFCI that they do not make anymore. Found some on Ebay, and now I do not have a problem.

My solar panels are connected directly to the battery. There is a flashing light on the controller so maybe they work but I have not measured it.

I do not expect solar to work. The purpose of solar is to tell people you have solar. I worked in the power industry. When the cost of repairs is more than the expected value of the electricity produced, then it is not fixed.

For an RV application, there may be reasons to fix it. I am so old that I used to fix our TV by taking the tubes down to the grocery store to test them. My big led flat screen cost $100.

The headlight went out on my old Saab. I had messed up the wiring and to fix with multiple wire crimps. My Saab computer tells me about every failure. By the time I got around to getting a new bulb, I had 4 bad bulbs. When I replaced the new bulb it did not work.

Must be a bad wiring repair. That is called a mindset.

So I got the bulbs and my DVM. First bulb now works. Second bulb no joy. But it had voltage. Scraped the corrosion off the connections. Second bulb now works.

Head light works too. I had a mindset about headlights work based on my Honda. Reading the Saab owners manual something did not make sense. Put the right bulb in the right place and it lights up.


My point is sometimes it is a combination of things but it will make sense eventually.

[Whaler2]

WJ, sent you a PM.

[HJShirk]

Originally Posted by WJWilliams2

Anyone familiar with a 2001 Carribean? I just got one, my first motorhome, and the learning experience is proving to be quite difficult. I'm sure my inverter is not working. But the most difficult part is trying to locate everything. Nothing is labeled and I have no wiring diagram. For example, the microwave is not working, but I can't find where the power for it comes from. The 120 volt breaker panel in the bedroom does not have any tripped breakers. Is there another breaker panel somewhere that I haven't found yet

The GRCI outlet above and right beside the microwave doesn't have any power to it either, so I'm assuming their both on the same circuit that is out. I just can't find it!

Anyone have a wiring diagram or schematic?

Thanks. This is getting to be rather frustrating. I will greatly appreciate any assistance any of you can offer.

Bill from Chandler, Arizona

Bill,
I also have a 2001 Caribbean, have owned it for 13 years, and bought from the original owner.
Your MW and the recpt above the window will only work if the generator is running or you are plugged into shore power! We are now home from FL yet but will be in a couple of days. I have schematics I can scan and send you!