Community Forums

zuritero · 01-22-2022, 12:11 PM

Hello,

I just got a 1976 Dodge Establishment RV very cheap, as you can imagine, quite few things were not working. Managed to get the generator running, propane system working (regulator swapped), etc ...

However, I haven't been able to figure out the fresh water pump. I know the water pump is broken (verified by hooking up 12V directly); a new shur-flo is on the way. But my other problem is on the original circuit, I don't see 12V (at the pump) when I flip the switch for the water pump (BTW, the switch LED does turn on); in case you are wondering, there is an AC/DC converter (12V) that does work.

I am thinking it's either bad wiring or a relay, however, I have no idea where the relay may be located, and since this unit is quite old, I don't want to remove a bunch of wood panels which will probably need to be replaced if I do.

Any advice would be much appreciated: a service manual for this RV, location of the relay, access to the wiring between the switch and the pump.

Thanks in advance

Omar

Skip426 · 01-22-2022, 09:59 PM

Welcome to iRV2.

Yours is the first post I've seen that lists the name " Establishment " as the manufacturer/model of a class C .
Because the company probably disappeared before the advent of the internet , build info like wiring could be impossible to locate and if you do find any ; if it's anything like the other info from manufacturers back in the day ; it'll probably be next to useless.

I have to ask if the switch and led are part of a control panel , or an independent switch ?

Toby Dog · 01-23-2022, 04:51 AM

Look for an inline fuse holder near the pump.

Persistent · 01-23-2022, 07:57 AM

"I just got a 1976 Dodge Establishment RV very cheap, ...

I don't see 12V (at the pump) when I flip the switch for the water pump (BTW, the switch LED does turn on) ..."

The LED may be defective. In 1976 the light probably consisted of a resistor and an LED. They probably no longer work. The switch itself may work fine. Measure the voltage at input to switch and at output of switch.

If no input, there is probably a fuse either in the 12 volt in wire or a fuse panel.

Replacement lighted 12 volt switches are commodities. Any one will do.

"I am thinking it's either bad wiring or a relay, however, I have no idea where the relay may be located, and since this unit is quite old, I don't want to remove a bunch of wood panels which will probably need to be replaced if I do.

Any advice would be much appreciated: a service manual for this RV, location of the relay, access to the wiring between the switch and the pump."

Of course a relay circuit with more than one switch is possible, but in 1976 it would be unlikely. Most likely there is a fuse between the converter and the switch. It could possibly be part of the converter (fuse panel on the converter).

zuritero · 01-23-2022, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Welcome to iRV2.

Yours is the first post I've seen that lists the name " Establishment " as the manufacturer/model of a class C .
Because the company probably disappeared before the advent of the internet , build info like wiring could be impossible to locate and if you do find any ; if it's anything like the other info from manufacturers back in the day ; it'll probably be next to useless.

I have to ask if the switch and led are part of a control panel , or an independent switch ?

Hi, thx for the reply. The switch and LED are part of the original control panel where you would also find other switches (generator) and indicators (water level).

zuritero · 01-23-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

"I just got a 1976 Dodge Establishment RV very cheap, ...

I don't see 12V (at the pump) when I flip the switch for the water pump (BTW, the switch LED does turn on) ..."

The LED may be defective. In 1976 the light probably consisted of a resistor and an LED. They probably no longer work. The switch itself may work fine. Measure the voltage at input to switch and at output of switch.

If no input, there is probably a fuse either in the 12 volt in wire or a fuse panel.

Replacement lighted 12 volt switches are commodities. Any one will do.

"I am thinking it's either bad wiring or a relay, however, I have no idea where the relay may be located, and since this unit is quite old, I don't want to remove a bunch of wood panels which will probably need to be replaced if I do.

Any advice would be much appreciated: a service manual for this RV, location of the relay, access to the wiring between the switch and the pump."

Of course a relay circuit with more than one switch is possible, but in 1976 it would be unlikely. Most likely there is a fuse between the converter and the switch. It could possibly be part of the converter (fuse panel on the converter).

Hi, thx for the response. Just to clarify, the switch LED does work (it lights up when toggled), also the AC/DC converter has an inline fuse (20 Amp I think) which has continuity. I was thinking that maybe it's a bad 12V relay because I measure different voltage at the pump when toggling the pump switch (switch off -> 0V, switch On -> ~2.5V but it's not constant).

I didn't know relays were not common back in 1976, thx for pointing it out.

I will measure the voltage at the switch as suggested, hopefully that will take me in some direction.