Electrical question from new "used RV" owner

[Kim in AZ]

We purchased an older RV (1997 Holiday Rambler Endeavor) this week. We drove it home and had dinner in it with the kids. We turned on the internal lights and they worked EXCEPT for the ceiling lights-they did not turn on. Came out the next morning and none of the electrical works. There is a solar charger on the top of the RV to charge batteries. Suggestions as to what may have happened and how we should fix it. Again VERY VERY NEW RV OWNER. Thanks for any help.

[SarahW]

Howdy Kim and welcome to iRV2! Sorry you are having problems with the RV. First of all, are you plugged into any electrical power at your home? As for the solar panel, if it's the standard issue size, it doesn't generate enough power to overcome a big power drain. It's more for "maintaining" a charge.

[BFlinn181]

Most all lights in an RV are 12 v, running off the 'house' batteries. You should also have a chassis battery(ies) that run the engine and driving functions. The overhead lights might be controlled by a switch near the door. I suggest you use your shore cord and plug the RV into a power source at your house. Your house outlets are probably 15 amp circuits, the RV is either 30 amp (3 conductor plug) or 50 amp (4 conductor plug) You'll need adaptors to step the power down from the RV plug to the wall outlet. DO NOT plug it in to a dryer plug, they are 220 v and your RV is 120 v only. Adaptors are available at most any Walmart or RV store.
Once plugged in, your on board converter/charger should not only charge the RV batteries but provide 12 v power to the RV.
Don't try to run the air conditioner while on the 15 amp house power, it's too much.

You might want to read this:
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

Here's a link to your wiring diagram:
http://holidayrambler.com/StaticFile...7/Endeavor.pdf
This link will take you to HR Owner's manuals. I don't see one for 1997, but a 1998 should be close enough.
Holiday Rambler - ownersmanualshr

[ohhwell]

Ok, congratulations on the coach first. Second, some questions:

You mentioned having it at home. Do you have it plugged into electric from your house?

The solar on the roof you mentioned, is it a single panel on top of one of the air conditioner shrouds or does it look like something that someone added to the coach?

I'm sure there will be more questions but those are my big 2.

[deandec]

Ceiling lights not-working. Maybe the fuse is blown or there is another switch somewhere.

Next morning none of the "electrical" worked. I assume you mean the house 12v systems were not working. Probably because you now have a very Dead Battery.

Plug to shore power and charge up the House Battery. In the interim, the lights will work via your 110V to 12v Converter.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Kim in AZ

We purchased an older RV (1997 Holiday Rambler Endeavor) this week. We drove it home and had dinner in it with the kids. We turned on the internal lights and they worked EXCEPT for the ceiling lights-they did not turn on. Came out the next morning and none of the electrical works. There is a solar charger on the top of the RV to charge batteries. Suggestions as to what may have happened and how we should fix it. Again VERY VERY NEW RV OWNER. Thanks for any help.

For the lights it could be a fuse or switch if multiple lights aren't coming on. Know the solar panel will not keep up with the drain of turning lights and other things on and needs good sun light. I suggest plugging in and make sure batteries are charge.