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Contigo · 05-03-2021, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKP Kirk

The first thing that you need to do if at all possible is to try everything with shore power supplying 120V power, rather than the generator. There is much in common with both sources but that test will either confirm or remove the generator and associated equipment from the possible causes. The house batteries should not have any impact on the 120V outlets in your RV. It is possible that if one has a shorted cell that it would take down the 12V system but that should not have any affect on the generator's output as long as you are able to start it. Under normal circumstances the starter motor for the generator gets power from the house batteries, so if they were completely dead the only way to start the generator would be by using the emergency start switch on the dash to cross connect the chassis battery to supply starting power for the generator.

I am not familiar with the Heart Interface panel but this link leads to a copy of the owner's manual that may be of some help. On page 27 there is a troubleshooting guide. If I understand what you are saying, the control panel flashes when you start the generator (which supplies 120V) and then some of the outlets stop working. I wonder if the outlets that are losing power are not the same ones that would be supplied by the inverter via the batteries if you had no 120V power? In my experience (which is pretty limited with inverters) there is an electrical sub-panel for those outlets and thing that have the option of power from the main 120V distribution panel or from the inverter. In a typical RV there is an automatic transfer switch that selects between the shore power cord or the generator to supply the main 120V panel and from that there is a second panel that can get power from the main panel or from the inverter. I am highly suspicious that something is going on with your controls that is opening the supply to that sub-panel and the outlets that it supplies.

The inverter should not make any attempt to supply the 120V side but only to supply charging voltage to the batteries and the 12V system. But I do agree that it appears the inverter is causing the problems, even though it should not. I suggest that you locate the cable that supplies battery power to the inverter and lift it so that the inverter gets no power at all to see what that does. There is also a power switch on the inverter that you can turn it off with as another test. That switch is shown on page 7 of the operation manual.

Sorry Kirk, I missed attaching my reply to your message (see below).

Contigo · 06-06-2021, 06:28 PM

Well, I promised to get back to all of you to let you know the outcome of my electrical issue. We have now returned to our motorhome and I've had the chance to finally plug into shore power and use the generator by itself, while keeping all your comments in front of me to troubleshoot the problem.

I know this isn't a true fix, but my problem seems to have disappeared! All systems are working as they should. What's with that?! I can only assume there was a poor electrical connection and it motivates me to inspect every electrical connection and clean them up or replace them as necessary. Any other ideas? Many thanks to all of you. I won't lose your comments in case the issue reappears.