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Whaler2 · 11-08-2016, 05:04 PM

Happened to walk pass the motorhome and heard a strange noise. I have an 01 National Caribbean I bought new. They were only made for a short time. It is a 34 foot diesel on a Spartan Summit chassis. Very similar to a Tradewinds or a Dolphin. It has four house batteries and two chassis batteries (new). Freedom 2000 inverter and two solar panels. I am describing the motorhome to help you diagnosis the issue.
The batteries (all) are disconnected and have been for a week. There is no power to the unit. Upon checking the noise I saw the inverter green light come on briefly and the red light came on as the green went off. At same time a relay would chatter for 10 to 15 seconds. I believe the relay is the interconnect solenoid.
I checked and re-checked battery connections and disconnected the chassis and house batteries ground. Chatter would start again after 30 seconds and continue to re-cycle every 30 seconds. I went inside and found the controller was displaying diem green lights that would cycle back to the red warning light. My Fantastic fan was trying to cycle open at the same time.
I just happened to reach up and turn on an overhead light. That stopped the cycling and everything seemed normal. Anyone have clue what is going on? Long and detailed post but better to describe my issue in detail. Thanks

Vaflatlander · 11-08-2016, 07:13 PM

I had a similar situation. Mostly a clicking sound. Turned out the solar panels were discharging. If you check with a volt meter at the solar panel fuse you will see a voltage spike. Leaving the light on to absorb the discharge is probably a good idea. If you still have this phenomenon in the dark then all bets are off.

Whaler2 · 11-09-2016, 05:08 AM

I thank you are right on. I went out last night and turned off the light and did have a repeat. Will check it again in the daylight. Thanks

Bill WA6YBD · 11-10-2016, 12:06 PM

I agree with the solar panel causing the problem. What's really funny is yesterday I was swapping out my 1KW inverter for a 2KW unit. Disconnected all the batteries and I still had 6-19 volts at the inverter DC input. I could hear a click every once and awhile which was the battery paralleling relay. I unplugged the solar panel and the DC voltage went to zero volts.

~Bill

Old-Biscuit · 11-10-2016, 12:37 PM

Not plugged in---no AC power
Batteries (ALL) disconnected......no DC power

Yet electric components are energized

Then the only choice left is the solar (or magical wireless HIGH dc energy source which you need to hunt down, capture and patent)

Whaler2 · 11-12-2016, 05:14 AM

Thanks all for the replies. Yes, it was the solar panels. I thought it may have been after I made the original post while riding on the mower later. The wiring diagram was not correct and I had to do a little checking before locating the correct fuse to stop the current. Now my concern is the damage that may have occurred before I noticed the chatter.