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Old 07-28-2023, 11:18 PM   #1
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12 volt system problems

12 volt electrical problem on 2007 Winnebago Adventurer 38J
House 12 volt electrical system is not working when not connected to shore power. It does work when connected to shore power. No 12 volt power even with engine running.
Batteries show a full charge (two 6 volt batteries wired in series) and none of the 12 volt circuit breakers are tripped—either the ones under the stairs or the ones below the fridge. The breaker panel under the stairs says that there are solenoids and relays behind the panel but I haven’t taken the panel off to look at them.
Generator will not start whether engine is running or not.
Aux battery switch is on.
Any ideas as to the problem?
Thanks.
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Old 07-29-2023, 02:12 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grouchotoo View Post
12 volt electrical problem on 2007 Winnebago Adventurer 38J
House 12 volt electrical system is not working when not connected to shore power. It does work when connected to shore power. No 12 volt power even with engine running.
Batteries show a full charge (two 6 volt batteries wired in series) and none of the 12 volt circuit breakers are tripped—either the ones under the stairs or the ones below the fridge. The breaker panel under the stairs says that there are solenoids and relays behind the panel but I haven’t taken the panel off to look at them.
Generator will not start whether engine is running or not.
Aux battery switch is on.
Any ideas as to the problem?
Thanks.

It is possible you have multiple problems.



When you are connected to shore power, your converter supplies 12v power to everything. Actually, more specifically, it has a charger that charges your coach/house batteries and those provide 12v power to your coach. I believe this is how it should work.



First thing I would do is determine if your coach/house batteries are any good. Let them sit without shore power for a few hours. Then measure with a volt meter (or if you have a battery monitor). Are they at 12.6v? (fully charged) Are they at 10.5v? (dead) You can also pull them and take them to an auto parts store and ask them to check if they are good or not. If they are bad, that could be why your RV has no power when you are not plugged in, and it could be the reason why your generator won't start (dead batteries).


Next, with your batteries connected (assuming they are healthy), I would test your isolator solenoid (that comes from the chassis alternator). First, measure the voltage on the coach/house batteries (not the chassis battery). Then, start up your engine and check the voltage on your chassis battery (this should be 13.5-14.5v and will tell you that your chassis alternator is working properly). Then, with the engine still running, check the voltage on your coach/house batteries. If your isolator solenoid is working properly you should see that your batteries are getting charged at 13-14v. If not, your isolator solenoid is not working. The good news is that is relatively easy to fix and it is inexpensive.


It sounds like you might just have dead batteries.


Let us know what you find out.


-Chris
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Old 07-29-2023, 06:03 AM   #3
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Check the chassis ground cable connection.

If bad, both generator and interior power will be effected.

Should be a bolt welded to the chassis.

If that's good, it's time to jump the solenoids to see if they are not connecting internally.
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Old 07-29-2023, 06:20 AM   #4
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Location: Meshoppen, PA
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Lookup your RV HERE https://www.winnebago.com/Files/File...ram/Wiring.htm

then start the search,, but a solenoid or a control wire/fuse at it can be bad..

Grounds are possible on frame off battery but??

I had a little fuse in the battery area mounted on the latching Solenoid.. I flipped switch OFF to store and fuse popped I guess.. flipped switch on .. I had nothing much like you mentioned.. That lil 5 amp blue fuse.. got me..
I jumped the Solenoid fast and lights popped on,,,so that lead me to the look and I saw a fuse,, OK lets check.. No clue why it popped.. but been 4 years since.. and I have pack of spare fuses ready incase LOL
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Old 07-30-2023, 11:15 PM   #5
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GEN power direct to GEN from Battery thru a 12vdc breaker. Battery power to FUSE PANEL/ POWER CENTER thru a 12vdc breaker beside battery, and (one of the two) REVERSE POLARITY fuse on panel (The 2nd RP fuse is between Converter and Panel)... both kinda acting like MAIN FUSES for the two sources. SOUNDS LIKE BATTERY SWITCH OFF and/or defective.... (or wiring issue to same?) Is it mechanical, or an electric LATCHING SOLENOID? They can CLUNK, but not connect. Good Luck
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Old 07-31-2023, 11:59 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grouchotoo View Post
12 volt electrical problem on 2007 Winnebago Adventurer 38J
House 12 volt electrical system is not working when not connected to shore power. It does work when connected to shore power. No 12 volt power even with engine running.
Batteries show a full charge (two 6 volt batteries wired in series) and none of the 12 volt circuit breakers are tripped—either the ones under the stairs or the ones below the fridge. The breaker panel under the stairs says that there are solenoids and relays behind the panel but I haven’t taken the panel off to look at them.
Generator will not start whether engine is running or not.
Aux battery switch is on.
Any ideas as to the problem?
Thanks.

Thanks for the replies. I solved the problem by cleaning the cables and terminals. They didn't look that bad but I guess they were.
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