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dcveem3 · 12-15-2019, 10:09 AM

Hi all...new owner of an old Pace Arrow 37C. Great condition on the inside. Everything works. Outside, needs some lovin'. Anyway I want to upgrade the TV's inside during winter here in south central PA. We don't get much snow and it's seldom below 32 for long periods. Anyway, she's all winterized and ready but I'd like to do a little work on replacing those TV's during storage? I have it leveled on blocks on a stone area of our drive/parking area very close to a building that has 30amp service I can connect to. So my question is, what happens to the batteries if I leave this coach plugged in all the time?

I know I have main and aux switches. I'm assuming the main is JUST chassis power? Start the engine? Exterior lights? Aux I would assume runs the interior bits, frig, front/rear heaters(on propane)etc. Genset works perfect. Everything in the coach appears to work. Only thing I couldn't test was the dual AC units....and that was reflected in the accepted offer. So, back to my question; when I connect to "shore power" which on this rig is 30amps, will my batteries charge? Will they over-charge? If both switches remain on (Main/Aux)will those batteries trickle charge? Am I better off disconnecting ALL of the batteries and just trickle charging directly. They are all barely over a year old.

I'll continue to search for answers as well. As I begin to dig-in to this coach maybe I will be a value by giving back as well.

Thanks!
Don

dcveem3 · 12-15-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcveem3

I know I have main and aux switches. I'm assuming the main is JUST chassis power? Start the engine? Exterior lights? Aux I would assume runs the interior bits, frig, front/rear heaters(on propane)etc. Genset works perfect. Everything in the coach appears to work. Only thing I couldn't test was the dual AC units....and that was reflected in the accepted offer. So, back to my question; when I connect to "shore power" which on this rig is 30amps, will my batteries charge? Will they over-charge? If both switches remain on (Main/Aux)will those batteries trickle charge? Am I better off disconnecting ALL of the batteries and just trickle charging directly. They are all barely over a year old.

I'll continue to search for answers as well. As I begin to dig-in to this coach maybe I will be a value by giving back as well.

Thanks!
Don

Well I went through the suitcase of documentation that came with this coach and found that the previous (and original) owner had indeed replaced the converter with a PowerMax 75 amp unit. So I read that it indeed will charge both main and aux battery sets to 13.6 volts and then go to a "trickle" charge for winter storage. Looks like PO had problems with the WFCO system I've been reading about and changed it out.

So I think I'm good to go. Doing some cleaning/fixing and updating of TV's for now. Also verified both sets of batteries are charging via power panel.

Don

vagaron · 12-16-2019, 01:13 AM

dcveem3,

Are you sure you only get 30A from shore power? Our '06 37C has 50A hookup. Maybe it changed in the 2 yrs between our models?

Shore power does charge both house (aux) and chassis (main) batteries. On mine there is a small solar panel on top of the front A/C unit that is supposed to supply enough juice to keep the house batts from losing charge when just sitting. There is a red LED light inside the coach in the front ceiling A/C grill that is lit when this charging is happening.

Good luck with your "new" PA.

Ron

dcveem3 · 12-17-2019, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vagaron

dcveem3,

Are you sure you only get 30A from shore power? Our '06 37C has 50A hookup. Maybe it changed in the 2 yrs between our models?

Shore power does charge both house (aux) and chassis (main) batteries. On mine there is a small solar panel on top of the front A/C unit that is supposed to supply enough juice to keep the house batts from losing charge when just sitting. There is a red LED light inside the coach in the front ceiling A/C grill that is lit when this charging is happening.

Good luck with your "new" PA.

Ron

Thanks Ron for the reply. I'm almost sure it's 30amp...has a 3 wire 30amp plug on it...single pole 3amp with neutral and ground. It also has an Onan 5500 generator with 2 breakers...one at 30 the other at 20amp. From my reading, I guess the 20amp on the genset feeds one of the 2 AC units? Which leads me to believe with some wiring/transfer switch mods I can convert the coach to 50amp...at some point. This whole motorhome deal is an experiment for us! It's just the wife and I...oh, and a 10lb spoiled dog. We are about 5 years away from full retirement and want to buy a beach house (unless RVin'g changes our minds?) but don't know exactly where yet. So we figured we'd buy an RV and test locations.

Anyway, I enjoy messing/fussing with stuff so I'm actually enjoying the experience of buying used...lol! So far, no major issues found. Yes, it does have the solar charging system but I have NOT noticed any charging lights working yet? I did see the light you are referencing on the front AC unit. The AC units are the only question marks in this deal...so far. Seems to be a lot of turmoil with the "shedding" system and a 30amp system which makes me want to investigate a 50amp 2 pole system. I wouldn't mind scrapping both of the roof-top units for a heat pump minisplit with 2 evaps. But that's another page and a half! One step at a time...let's see if the AC's work first.

Sorry to be long-winded....
Don

vagaron · 12-17-2019, 11:14 PM

I'm like you -- a good thing I've enjoyed (mostly) working on the old girl. The red solar light in our coach was out at first, but I pulled down the grill from the ceiling and found the wire had just been disconnected. It was the easiest "fix" I've done so far, just plugged the ends back together.

Regwal · 12-19-2019, 11:46 AM

On a recent trip I heard a noise from top of MH. I stopped and looked things over but did not notice the solar panel missing. Arriving home a closer inspection reveled the missing panel. Anyone have a suggestion for locating one and installing?

Joestein · 12-31-2019, 05:26 PM

I have a 1997 pace arrow. I'm not getting power to the plug in outside access panel, one next to front door behind fridge. I've had tons of bad plugs and GFCI and replaced them all. But this one is off breaker labeled appliances maybe? It has two lines that run out of breaker. One goes to front tv, and I can't find where other goes. Fleetwood has been little help. Any ideas or wiring diagrams?

daveandcarol · 01-02-2020, 10:45 PM

Joe -

I have some electrical diagrams. Sent you a private message.

C5c5 · 01-03-2020, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveandcarol

Joe -

I have some electrical diagrams. Sent you a private message.

Would your diagrams be good for a 94 Pace arrow as well?

daveandcarol · 01-03-2020, 11:38 PM

Good question. Probably the basic schematic and circuiting would be similar, but layout variations could put outlets, lights, etc. in different locations. I sent Joe (above post) a PM but haven't heard back. I can't figure out a way to attach a PDF file to a PM so I asked him to email me at my email address. PM me with your regular email address and I'll send you the diagrams and you can see if they are close enough to work for you. I contacted Fleetwood customer service and they sent me a whole slew of schematics for my particular year.

Frank 66 · 01-04-2020, 11:28 AM

Dave, I too have an older Pace Arrow (1993) that has some electrical problems. I can't find any information on the electrical wiring anywhere. If it's not too much problem for you, would I be able to get your wiring information? I understand your Pace Arrow is a 1997 but it might help me . Thanks

C5c5 · 01-04-2020, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveandcarol

Good question. Probably the basic schematic and circuiting would be similar, but layout variations could put outlets, lights, etc. in different locations. I sent Joe (above post) a PM but haven't heard back. I can't figure out a way to attach a PDF file to a PM so I asked him to email me at my email address. PM me with your regular email address and I'll send you the diagrams and you can see if they are close enough to work for you. I contacted Fleetwood customer service and they sent me a whole slew of schematics for my particular year.

Sent