Community Forums

bpru10 · 03-18-2021, 01:13 PM

We returned from short trip yesterday and went to move rv today and there was no chassis power. House batteries are fully charged, starting battery is fully charged. Any ideas on what problem could be? Or how to fix the issue? It is a 2002 LaPalma.

8.3Oilbuner · 03-18-2021, 01:33 PM

Hi Bpru10; As others here who will respond, I think your first course of action is to check to see if you have power through the chassis battery disconnect switch. Not sure on your LaPalma but going to guess that switch is in the battery compartment on the side of your coach. These switches do fail. That's where I would start. I would also check the battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight including the grounds.

bpru10 · 03-18-2021, 02:10 PM

Battery cables are good. There is no power to any of the gauges, lights, etc, but will crank with house batteries. Once running everything works, when not running nothing works.

Timaz · 03-18-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpru10

Battery cables are good. There is no power to any of the gauges, lights, etc, but will crank with house batteries. Once running everything works, when not running nothing works.

Do you have a dual battery isolator like in this picture. It's blue in the upper left corner of my rear electrical bay. Also check across the solenoid in the picture and you may have two as said above.

Tim

twinboat · 03-18-2021, 03:01 PM

If you can start and remain running on house batteries without holding the button, you have a isolation solenoid, and not an isolator referenced above.
None of that matters, they are not your problem.

Look for a silver solenoid like referenced above.
Should have 2, one is for house loads and one is for chassis loads.

The chassis load one may not be connecting.

OldWEB · 03-18-2021, 03:18 PM

As Oilburner mentioned, check the chassis battery disconnect switch, a 2004 manual says:
The main battery disconnect switch, located in the roadside
compartment in front of entrance door, turns the DC power on or off to the chassis fuse boxes.

bpru10 · 03-18-2021, 03:21 PM

Thanks for those suggestions. I will check them tomorrow, no more time today.

bpru10 · 03-18-2021, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWEB

As Oilburner mentioned, check the chassis battery disconnect switch, a 2004 manual says:
The main battery disconnect switch, located in the roadside
compartment in front of entrance door, turns the DC power on or off to the chassis fuse boxes.

What is the best way for a novice (1st time owner) to check it?

Outbound · 03-18-2021, 04:35 PM

Welcome to the forum, maybe I missed it but do you hear a click when you try to start or no sound at all.

OldWEB · 03-18-2021, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpru10

What is the best way for a novice (1st time owner) to check it?

You have a voltmeter and a basic understanding on how to use it on DC circuits? Just operate the switch a few times; see if there is voltage on both wires on the switch and if that is good, follow the wiring to the next point, usually the solenoid referenced by Timaz & twinboat earlier. If you have the owners manual (even one online), that is also a start, read the electrical section.

Good luck

bpru10 · 03-19-2021, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpru10

What is the best way for a novice (1st time owner) to check it?

The problem is with the chassis battery disconnect switch. I want to thank all of you who helped me with this problem. Have ordered a new switch because the old one is fried. Thanks again. Next issue will be with the slide out awning, but that will be later. You are all so helpful. Bless you.

OldWEB · 03-20-2021, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpru10

The problem is with the chassis battery disconnect switch. I want to thank all of you who helped me with this problem. Have ordered a new switch because the old one is fried. Thanks again. Next issue will be with the slide out awning, but that will be later. You are all so helpful. Bless you.

Glad to hear your sleuthing worked out.

That is the way to tackle all unknown problems, find the good part(s) and work to the bad, taking baby steps if you have to. Once you understand the system, you can start at the bad and work your way to the good...