Community Forums

Lolliejack · 03-18-2017, 12:05 PM

Hello! we recently purchased a 2004 Monaco Diplomat C. We have no idea of how the electrical works for the coach. We have two batteries tucked away in a cubby on the driver's side near the back of the coach, but the lights,etc. do not work. Sorry if this sounds lame....we're on a sharp learning curve! Thanks!

affreeman · 03-18-2017, 12:23 PM

I don't know anything about Monacos in particular, but there should be a switch to connect/disconnect the house batteries. It's likely located near the entrance door.

Lolliejack · 03-18-2017, 12:31 PM

thanks. We have some switches at the entrance door, one of which is labelled "batteries". When I turn that one on, nothing happens.

affreeman · 03-18-2017, 01:19 PM

Do you know that the batteries are good? Not dead?

Somebody who knows a lot more about this than I do is sure to chime in here.

Sagamore · 03-18-2017, 03:33 PM

I would take the batteries one at a time and charge them using battery charger. To see if hold a charge. Then reinstall them to see if that works.

Traxless · 03-18-2017, 07:08 PM

Do you have 12 volt power when connected to shore power? If not, check the fuses which might be in the converter panel. A 12V tester is a nice tool to have in a RV.

gladu2 · 03-18-2017, 09:08 PM

You can take the batteries to O'Riellys auto parts and they will test them for free. Also if the RV has been sitting a long time you should run the engine or generator for a while to charge the batteries and also while you are doing that test to see if the lights in the coach operate while the engine is running. Does anything else in your 12 volt system work like your water pump or stove vent fan?

nottfamily · 03-19-2017, 04:49 AM

I recently purchased my first RV and went through the same situation. I checked all the fuses and everything else i could think of. I plugged the RV up to my shop with an adapter. All my lights and accessories worked (not enough power to check appliances). That told me the electric was fine. I ran the engine for about 30minutes and rechecked the coach electric and the batteries had charged. Hope this helps.

Lolliejack · 03-19-2017, 08:50 AM

Thanks to all who replied. We are getting the batteries checked today, and I guess we'll go from there. Also, thanks for the suggestion for getting a 12 Volt tester- is on my next rv shopping list.

affreeman · 03-22-2017, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolliejack

Thanks to all who replied. We are getting the batteries checked today, and I guess we'll go from there. Also, thanks for the suggestion for getting a 12 Volt tester- is on my next rv shopping list.

Were you able to get to the bottom of this issue? I'm curious to know what it turned out to be.

Lolliejack · 03-22-2017, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by affreeman

Were you able to get to the bottom of this issue? I'm curious to know what it turned out to be.

No, sadly, not yet. We know our house batteries , when connected to shore power do work. We are now working with a rv mechanic to either (a) figure out where the issue is and remedy it, or (b) rewire that section which needs to be fixed. We contacted Monaco through a website and got excellent service. They emailed us a schematic of the wiring (42 page document) and a drawing of how the house batteries should look once properly hooked up. Fingers crossed we will have the dilemma rectified...soon. Thanks!

Catalina240 · 03-24-2017, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolliejack

Thanks to all who replied. We are getting the batteries checked today, and I guess we'll go from there. Also, thanks for the suggestion for getting a 12 Volt tester- is on my next rv shopping list.

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, they have very inexpensive volt meters.