Tioga 23 Question

[juckalucka]

I have just purchased a 2001 Tioga 23e and have a question. Nothing operates electrically in the coach unless the key is on in the ignition switch or the Onan generator is running. I cannot start the Onan unless the motorhome engine is running first. Is this normal? There is a solonoid in the battery box that energizes when the ignition is switched on or generator is running and that supplies electrical power to the coach's 12 system. It seems like there should be a switch that allows the 12 system to operate without having the key on. I have an pdf file that is titled "Owners Manual" but it does not shed much light on this subject as it is pretty much a generic owners manual. I'm searching for an "electrical schematic for the coach so I can see how it is wired.
Thanks for any advice you might have on this subject.
Dave

[twinboat]

There is a seperate battery and disconnect switch for the generator and 12 volt items.

When you turn on the key, the solenoid you hear is there to connect the two batteries together for charging them.

If you don't see 2 batteries, have you looked under the side door steps ?
That's where my house battery and big switch is.

[anav8or]

Do you have power to the Coach 12v systems when plugged into shore power?

From what you describe, it sounds like the house batteries are either completely discharged or disconnected. Turning the key on likely allows the chassis battery/electrical to feed your 12v systems.

I would start by testing the house batteries and checking the connections. Those batteries should feed into a solenoid that allows the alternator to charge them but prevents them from being tied together with the chassis battery.

[juckalucka]

Twinboat, thanks for responding to my post. Yes, my house batteries, and solonoid are under my steps. It is the big disconnect switch I'm looking for. I think the former owner wired something wrong. When I turn the key on I have 12 volts at on both sides of all fuses in the Battery Control Box except for the fuses for the steps, for some reason they are reading 24 volts. It is the "big switch" I'm trying to find so I can use the 12 volt accessories without the key on, and when I leave the coach I can just turn everything off that runs off of 12 volts. The 24 volts measured at the step fuse really concerns me now.

[juckalucka]

anav8tor. Thanks for responding to my post. I will find out today if I have power to my 12 volt accessories when shore power is connected.

[twinboat]

If your reading 24 volts anywhere, you need to confirm the battery + and - connections.

Follow the - cable. Both should go to the engine block or frame of the MH.

Red is always positive, well almost always, anyway.